A How-To Guide For Oven And Hob From Start To Finish
How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
If you're looking for an oven or a new hob, we've got the sizes, features and styles to suit your kitchen.
Solid plate hobs are simple to use and durable. They have metal plates with a sealed surface that heats your cookware. They're good for flat-based items and are economical to run.
Origins
Ovens are kitchen appliances used to bake and roast food in homes across the world. In general, they are powered by gas or electricity. The models with gas bottles are available in specific markets. However ovens can also powered by other fuels such as wood or charcoal. In many homes the oven is located by a stove where food can be prepared. The distinction between a hob and an oven is that a hob has burners that can be turned on and off and off, while an oven has an enclosure in which food is heated in the middle.
The first ovens were large brick and mud structures that contained fire to heat food. These ovens were used for baking bread, cooking meat, and for cooking other foods since they were able to hold heat and maintained a consistent temperature. They could also be easily shared between family members. However, open pits and furnaces came with three major disadvantages: they were dangerous due to the smoke and flames that could be seen, they consumed a lot of fuel (wood), and it was difficult to control the cooking process and heat.
A solution was found using ovens that resembled fireplaces with a chimney which shut off the fire to decrease the amount of smoke and intensity, and make it easier to manage. These were common during the 16th and 17th centuries. They were used in homes of the wealthy with a separate kitchen with a chimney as well as more than one fireplace and oven.
In the late 19th century, European ovens were a common feature in kitchens. It was partly due the fact that the oven was essential. It was more secure and efficient for people to cook over an open fire or in a cauldron. However, it is believed that the advent of the oven was correlated with changes in cooking techniques and recipes that led to a greater emphasis on casseroles and meat.
It is worth noting that in certain recipes, like those from Nigella she suggests cooking a pot "on the hob" however this could be misleading because hob is actually a British word that refers to a stove top. If you're not familiar with British terminology, the North American equivalent would be a range or cooktop.
Functions
The oven functions, also referred to as cooking modes, are preprogrammed settings which control the oven's heating element as well as fan depending on your recipe. They are designed to make cooking food more simple and more efficient while maintaining the flavor and texture.
The majority of ovens have a traditional mode that heats from the top and bottom to bake or roast food items. There is also a fan-assisted option which makes use of an integrated fan to circulate air around the oven, allowing a more even and quicker heating. There are a variety of oven and hob functions to pick from, and it's important to understand the different features to determine the ones that are best for your needs.
The fan-assisted function of the oven is ideal for cooking a wide variety of meals. It heats the oven more evenly than conventional ovens and is ideal for grilling, baking, and roasting. It is particularly useful for dishes like pizza and pie that require a quick crisp and smooth finish. The Fan-Assisted setting is marked by a zigzag at top and an straight line at the bottom of a square, and it can save you up to 40% in cooking time.
Certain ovens come with grilling options that combine heat from the bottom and top of the oven to give your food a delicious char. This is the perfect mode for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and can be marked by straight lines or zigzag lines, like Fan-Assisted. This type of oven is typically used on the lower shelf of the oven. Be sure to be aware of the temperature settings in your oven to ensure that you don't overcook.
Other oven functions include slow cooking baking, proofing bread and pastries, and more. These are often preprogrammed and provide a controlled warm atmosphere to help rise dough and develop flavours.
Some ovens have steam functions that are perfect for making healthy and nutritious food. It provides a low level of moisture to your food, which maintains the tenderness of the food and imparts a delicate, rich flavour to poultry, vegetables baked products and even custards. It's just as simple as pouring the water into the reservoir in your oven, then turning it on, with some models even automatically changing the amount of steam depending on the temperature you select.
Types
There are many ovens and hobs that are available on the market. They vary from traditional gas models to modern electric ones. It is important to choose an oven and a hob that is suitable for your needs. It is worth considering features like self-cleaning and smart capabilities too.
Gas ovens work well in many kitchens and are a popular choice. They are simple to use because they have rings on the burners and an grate on which pans rest which emits heat. Gas hobs are also energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. This could help you lower your energy bills. However, they can take longer to preheat than electric hobs and are difficult to clean if they are covered in a layer of residue.
Electric hobs come in a variety of styles including induction and ceramic. Induction hobs are more expensive but they are energy efficient because the hob only is heated when you put the pot on it. They are also cool to the touch, which makes them more child-safe, and are fast to warm up. They are also slow to cool down and don't warm up evenly.
Plate hobs, which are a kitchen staple, feature various cooking zones that are all electrically powered on flat surfaces. They are placed under your kitchen cabinets. They provide a stylish modern look that will look elegant and fit in with the majority of kitchens. They are difficult to clean since they have a variety of zones with uneven heating. If they are not properly cleaned they may leave burn marks.
Single ovens with built-in ovens are the most commonly used kind of oven, and these can be fitted either underneath a hob or above the eye level in a built-in unit. They are often big enough to accommodate a large meal and come in different sizes, so make sure to consider your family size when choosing an oven. There are also ovens with extra features such as grill or steam functions.
Installation
If you're planning on installing a brand new oven or replacing one you have, it might be worthwhile to hire an electrician to manage the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and that your new appliance is safe to use. A licensed electrician can adhere to local regulations to make sure that your installation is in line with all safety codes.
You'll require all the tools and equipment you require prior to beginning the installation of your new electric hob and oven. Wire nuts as well as a screwdriver and electrical tape are among the tools you'll need. It's also important to test the electrical supply in your home and make sure it can withstand the demands of a brand new electric oven and hob.
To install an oven or hob that is new first, you must remove the old ones. To do this, locate the screws or bolts that hold the old appliance and then remove them carefully. After the old appliance has been removed from the area, it should be cleaned and free of obstructions. Next a junction box must be erected and connected to the electrical supply using conduit. This should be done in accordance with manufacturer's instructions as well as any relevant local regulations.
Once the electrical connections are established after which the oven or hob is then lowered into the desired position. The fitter will then use the clips that came with the hob to secure it in place and ensure that it's flush with the worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to confirm that it is operating properly.
If best ovens and hobs planning to install a gas oven and hob it's best to hire a professional for the job. Gas installation isn't as simple as plugging in an electric oven and requires the assistance of a CORGI registered engineer to connect the pipework. It's also a good idea to get an oven hood fitted in the event that you don't have one as it will help to ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.