What Experts On Oven And Hob Want You To Learn
Wiki Article
How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen
If you're looking for a new oven or hob we have a variety of dimensions and features to suit your kitchen.
Solid plate hobs are easy to use and are durable. They have metal plates with a sealed surface that heats your cookware. They are ideal for flat-based cookware and can be cost-effective to run.
Origins
Ovens are commonly used in kitchens across the globe to bake and roast foods. They are typically powered by gas or electricity. The models with gas bottles are available in certain markets. However ovens can also be powered by other fuels, such as wood or charcoal. In many homes the oven is usually surrounded by a stove which is where food can be cooked. The difference between a stove and an oven is that a hob comes with burners that can be switched off and on, whereas an oven has an enclosure that allows food to be heated in the center.
The first ovens were massive brick and mud structures that had fire to heat food. They were used to bake bread, cook meat and other dishes since they were relatively good at containing the heat to maintain an even temperature and could be easily shared amongst family members. However, these open pits and furnaces had three major disadvantages - they were risky because of the smoke and flames that could be seen and they used a lot of fuel (wood) and was difficult to regulate the heat and cooking process.
A solution was found using ovens that resembled fireplaces with a chimney that shut off the fire to decrease the amount of smoke and intensity, and make it easier to manage. They were very popular during the 16th and 17th centuries, and were commonly found in households that were wealthy enough to have a separate kitchen with a chimney, as well as having more than one fireplace and oven.
In the late 19th century, European ovens were a popular feature in kitchens. It was partly due to the fact that the oven was a necessity. It was safer and more efficient to cook over an open fire or in the cauldron. It is believed that the growth and use of ovens coincided with the evolution of cooking techniques and recipes, leading to a greater emphasis on meat and casseroles.
It is worth noting that in some recipes, like those from Nigella, she will recommend cooking a pot "on the hob", but this can be misleading because hob is actually a British word that refers to stove top. The North American equivalent is a range or cooktop, and it could be confusing if not familiar with the British terminology.
Functions
The oven functions, also referred to as cooking modes, are preprogrammed settings that control the oven's heating element and fan depending on your recipe. They are designed to make cooking food more simple and more efficient, while preserving flavour and texture.
Ovens come with a traditional mode that heats food from the top to the bottom. They also offer a fan-assisted mode that makes use of a built-in fan to circulate air throughout the oven for more even heating and faster speed. There are many options for oven and hob functions. It's important to know the differences to determine which one is best for you.
The fan-assisted function of the oven is ideal for cooking a range of food items. It heats the oven more evenly than traditional ovens and is perfect for grilling, baking, and roasting. It's particularly useful for meals that require quick, crisp and fast-drying like pizzas or pies. The Fan-Assisted setting has an angled top and a line on the bottom. It can cut down up to 40 percent of cooking time.
Some ovens come with grilling functions that combine the heat from the bottom of the oven with that from the top, giving your meals an amazing charcoal. It's perfect for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and can be identified with zigzags or straight lines like Fan-Assisted. This type of oven is typically found on the bottom shelf of the oven. Be sure to verify the temperature settings of your oven to avoid overcooking.
There are also other oven functions like proofing of pastry and bread slow cooking, proofing, and more. They are typically preprogrammed to provide a controlled warm environment that helps rise dough and develop flavors.
Certain ovens have steam functions that are ideal for making healthy and nutritious food. It imparts a delicate, rich flavor to baked goods such as poultry, vegetables, and custards. Using this function is just as simple as pouring the water into the reservoir inside your oven and turning it on, with certain models even automatically adjusting the amount of steam based on the selected temperature.
Types
There are many ovens and hobs on the market. They vary from traditional gas models to contemporary electric models. It is essential to choose the oven and hob that meets your requirements. It is worth considering features like self-cleaning and smart functions too.
Gas ovens are a very popular option and work well in all kitchens. They are simple to use since they come with rings on the burners as well as a grate where pans rest and emits heat. Gas hobs are also energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. This can help you lower your energy bills. However, they will take longer to heat up than electric hobs and are difficult to clean if they are coated with a residue.
Electric hobs are available in a range of designs including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are a bit more expensive, however they are energy efficient because the hob only gets hot when you put the pot on it. They are also safe for children and heat up fairly quickly. However, they don't always heat uniformly and can take a long time to cool down.
Plate hobs are another staple of the kitchen, featuring an array of cooking zones that are placed on an even surface that is placed underneath your best oven kitchen appliances. They sport a sleek, modern look that will complement most kitchens. They can be difficult to keep clean as they have multiple cooking zones with uneven heating, and may leave burn marks on the surface if they are not cleaned properly.
The most commonly used model is the built-in single oven. They can be placed under a hob or in an built-in cabinet. When choosing an oven, consider the size of your family. They can be large enough to accommodate a huge meal and come in different sizes. They can also be found with additional options such as a grill or a steam function.
Installation
If you're planning to install a new oven or replacing one you have, it's worth hiring an electrician to take care of the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and that your new appliance is safe to use. A qualified electrician can follow local regulations to make sure that your installation is compliant with all safety codes.
Before beginning the installation process of your new electric oven and hob, you'll need to have all the required supplies and tools on hand. These include wire nuts, an electric tape, screwdriver, an electrical circuit tester and conduit. It's also important to test the electrical supply at your home and make sure it is able to handle the load of a new electric oven and hob.
To install an oven and hob that are new first, you must remove the old ones. Locate the screws or bolts holding the old appliance and take them off them carefully. After the old appliance is removed from the area it should be cleaned and free of obstructions. Next, a junction box will need to be erected and connected to the electrical supply using conduit. It is important to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer and any local regulations.
Once electrical connections are made and the oven or hob is connected, it can then be lowered in place. The fitter will then use the clips that came with the hob to secure it to the wall and ensure that it is flush with the worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to ensure it is operating properly.
If you're installing a gas oven and hob it's a good idea to hire a professional for the task. Gas installation isn't as straightforward as plugging in a new electric oven. It requires the assistance of an CORGI registered engineer to connect the pipework. It's also a good idea to get an oven hood fitted in case you don't have one, as it will help to ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.