7 Essential Tips For Making The Maximum Use Of Your Oven And Hob
How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
If you're in the market for an oven or a new hob, we've got the dimensions and styles, features and designs to fit your kitchen.
Solid plate hobs are simple to use and durable. They feature metal plates with a sealed surface that heats your cookware. They're great for flat-based dishes and are economical to run.
Origins
Ovens are kitchen appliances used to bake and roast food in households around the world. They are typically powered by electricity or gas, with bottle gas models that are available in certain markets however ovens can additionally use other fuels like charcoal or wood. In a lot of homes, the oven is surrounded by a hob on which food items can be cooked. The distinction between a hob and an oven is that a stove has burners that can be turned off and on, whereas an oven has an enclosure in which food is heated in the middle.
The first ovens were huge brick and mud structures that contained fire to heat food. These ovens were used for baking bread, cooking meat, and cooking other meals because they held heat well and maintained a constant temperature. They could also be easily shared by family members. Open pits and ovens had three major drawbacks They were dangerous due to the open flames and smoke and they required a lot of fuel (wood), they were difficult to control the heat and cooking.
The solution was found in ovens that resembled fireplaces with a chimney which shut off the fire to lessen the amount of smoke and intensity, and make it easier to control. These were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries, and were often used in homes that were wealthy enough to have a separate kitchen with a chimney, and having more than one oven and fireplace.
In the late 19th century, European ovens were a popular feature in kitchens. It was partly due to the fact that the oven was essential. It was more secure and efficient for people to cook on an open fire or in the cauldron. However, it is believed that the advent of the oven coincided with the changes in cooking methods and recipes, which led to more emphasis on casseroles and meat.
It is worth noting that in certain recipes such as those from Nigella, she will recommend leaving the pot "on the hob" however this could be misleading as a hob is actually a British word that refers to stove top. If you're unfamiliar with British terminology and terminology, the North American equivalent would be a cooktop or range.
Functions
The oven functions, also referred to as cooking modes, are preprogrammed settings which control the oven's heating element and fan based on the recipe you are cooking. They are designed to make cooking food more simple and more efficient, while preserving flavour and texture.
Most ovens come with a conventional mode that heats from the top and bottom to bake or roast food. There is also a fan-assisted option which makes use of an integrated fan to circulate the air around the oven, which allows for an even and faster heating. There are many different types of oven and hob functions to choose from, and it's essential to understand the different features to determine which ones are right for your needs.
The fan-assisted function of the oven is ideal for cooking a wide range of food items. It heats the oven more evenly than traditional ovens, and is perfect for grilling, baking and roasting. It's particularly helpful for dishes that need a fast, crisp finish like pizza or pie. The Fan-Assisted setting is marked with a zigzag at the top and straight lines at the bottom of a square and it can cut down up to 40% of cooking time.
Some ovens come with grilling features that combine the heat from the bottom of the oven with that from the top, giving your meals an amazing charcoal. This mode is perfect for meat and vegetable kebabs and can be marked by zigzag lines and straight lines, such as Fan-Assisted. This mode is usually utilized on the lower rack of the oven, so be sure to pay attention to the oven's temperature settings to avoid overcooking.
Other oven functions include slow cooking, proofing bread and pastries and much other things. These are often pre-programmed to create a warm, controlled atmosphere to aid in the rise of dough and allow your food to develop great flavor.
hobs and ovens have a steam function that is ideal for making healthy and nutritious food. Steam adds a delicate and rich flavor to baked items such as poultry, vegetables, and custards. Using this function is just as simple as pouring the water into the reservoir in your oven and turning it on, with some models even automatically altering the amount of steam depending on the temperature that is selected.
Types
There are a myriad of ovens and hobs on the market. These vary from traditional gas models to modern electric models. It is important to choose an oven and a hob that meets your requirements. It is worth considering features like self-cleaning or intelligent capabilities too.
Gas ovens are a very popular option and are suitable for most kitchens. They usually come with burners with rings as well as a grate that pans rest on. They emit heat, which makes them easy to use. Gas hobs also tend to be energy efficient and have precise temperature control, meaning they could reduce your utility costs. They can take longer to warm up than electric hobs, and they can be more difficult to clean with dirt.
Electric hobs are available in a variety of different designs, including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are somewhat more expensive to purchase, but they are considered to be energy efficient because the hob only generates heat when you place a pot over it. They are also safe for children and heat up relatively quickly. They are also slow to cool off and don't heat up evenly.
Plate hobs, also an essential in the kitchen, come with an array of cooking zones that are all electrically powered on an even surface. They are positioned under your kitchen cabinets. They have a sleek, modern design that can be a perfect match for all kitchens. They aren't easy to keep clean as they have multiple cooking zones that have uneven heating. They can also leave burn marks on the surface if not properly cleaned.
Single ovens with built-in ovens are the most popular type of oven, and they can be installed under a hob or at eye level in an integrated unit. When selecting an oven, think about the size of your family. They can be big enough to accommodate a huge dinner and come in a variety of sizes. They are also available with additional options such as the grill or steam function.
Installation
If you're planning on installing a brand new oven or replacing an existing one it might be worthwhile to hire an electrician to handle the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and your new appliance is safe to use. A qualified electrician can follow local regulations and ensure that your installation is in line with all relevant safety codes.
You'll require all the tools and materials you need before you begin the installation process of your new electric hob and oven. These include wire nuts an electric tape, screwdriver, an electrical circuit tester and conduit. It's also important to test the electrical supply in your home and ensure it can handle the load of a new electric oven and hob .
The first step in the process of installing a new hob and oven is to remove any old appliances. Locate the bolts or screws holding the old appliance and take them off them carefully. After the appliance has been removed, the area where the new one is installed must be clear of any obstructions. Next, a junction box needs to be installed and connected to the electrical supply via conduit. This must be done in accordance with manufacturer's instructions and any relevant local regulations.
Once electrical connections have been made then the oven and the hob can be lowered into position. The fitter will use the clips that came along with the hob to fix it and ensure that it's flush with the worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to confirm that it is functioning properly.
It is best to employ a professional to install a gas stove and oven. Gas installation isn't as simple as plugging in a new electric oven, and requires the services of an CORGI certified engineer to connect the pipes. It's also an excellent idea to get an oven hood fitted in the event that you don't have one, as it can help in ventilating your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.