See What Oven And Hob Tricks The Celebs Are Using

How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen

If you're in the market for a new oven or hob we have a variety of sizes and features to fit your kitchen.

Generally simple to use and durable solid plate hobs feature sealed metal plates that cook your cookware. They're ideal for flat-based products and can be economical to run.

Origins

Ovens are kitchen appliances that are used to roast and bake food in homes across the world. They typically are powered by electricity or gas, with bottle gas models that are available in certain markets, although ovens may also make use of other fuels, such as wood or charcoal. In many homes the oven is located by a kitchen hob, which is where food can be cooked. Hobs are essentially a stove that can be turned on and off. An oven is a sealed enclosure that cooks food in the middle.

The first ovens were massive brick and mud constructions which contained a fire to cook food. They were used for baking bread, cooking meat, and for cooking other foods because they contained heat well and maintained a consistent temperature. They could also be easily shared between family members. The open pits and ovens had three major disadvantages they were risky because of the open flames and smoke as well as the use of a lot of fuel (wood) and were difficult to control the heat and cooking.

The solution was to use ovens hobs that resembled like fireplaces. They included a chimney to block off the fire, reducing the intensity and amount of smoke. This made it easier to control. These were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries and were commonly used in homes that were wealthy enough to have a separate kitchen area with a chimney, as well as having more than one fireplace and oven.

By the mid-19th century, European ovens had evolved to be a regular element in kitchens of homes. This was due to the fact that the oven hob became essential, since it was much safer and more efficient to cook food in an oven rather than on an open flame or in a cauldron. It is believed that the growth and use of the oven coincided with changes in cooking methods and recipes, leading to a greater focus on casseroles and meat.

In some recipes, like those of Nigella she may suggest placing a pan "on the hob". However it could be confusing since a hob in British English is an oven. The North American equivalent is a cooktop or range, so it could be confusing if you are not familiar with the British terminology.

Functions

Oven functions, or cooking modes, are pre-programmed options that control the way in which the oven's heating elements and fan function based on the recipe you're making. They are designed to help you cook food more efficiently and effectively while also preserving flavour and texture.

Ovens come with a traditional mode that cooks food from the top to the bottom. They also offer a fan-assisted mode that utilizes a built-in fan in order to circulate air around the oven for more even and faster heating. There are many different types of oven and hob functions to pick from, and it's important to understand the different options to figure out the ones that are best for your needs.

A fan-assisted oven function is ideal to cook a variety of food items. It heats the oven more evenly than a traditional oven, and is perfect for baking, grilling, and roasting. It's particularly useful for dishes that need a fast, crisp finish, such as pizza or pie. 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.

Some ovens come with a grilling function that combines the heat from the bottom of the oven with that from the top, giving your food an amazing charcoal. This is the perfect mode for kebabs of meat and vegetables and can be identified by straight lines and zigzag lines, such as Fan-Assisted. This mode is usually used on the lower rack of the oven, so be careful to observe the temperature settings of your oven to avoid overcooking.

Other oven functions include slow cooking making bread and pastries, proofing them and much more. These are often preprogrammed and provide a controlled warm environment to help rise dough and develop flavors.

Some ovens come with steam functions that are perfect for making healthy and nutritious food. It adds a small amount of moisture to your food, which maintains the tenderness of the food and imparts a delicate, rich flavour to poultry, vegetables baked goods, baked products as well as custards. This feature can be activated by placing water into the reservoir of your oven, and turning it on. Some models even alter the amount of steam depending on the temperature selected.

Types

There are a myriad of ovens and hobs available on the market. These vary from traditional gas models to modern electric ones. It is crucial to select the oven and hob that meets your requirements. Consider features like self-cleaning capabilities or smart functions.

Gas ovens are a great fit in many kitchens and are a common option. They usually come with burners with rings as well as a grate on which pans rest on. They emit heat, so they are simple to use. Gas hobs are also energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. This can help lower your energy bills. However, they will take longer to heat up than electric ones and are difficult to clean if they are coated with a residue.

Electric hobs come in a variety of different designs that include ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are a little more expensive to purchase however they are considered energy efficient as the hob only generates heat when you place a pan on it. They are also cool to the touch, which makes them safer for children. They are fairly fast to heat up. However, they may not always heat uniformly and can take a long time to cool down.

Plate hobs are another stalwart of the kitchen, with an array of cooking zones that are placed on an even surface that is placed underneath your kitchen appliances. They are sleek and have a modern design that can be a perfect match for the majority of kitchens. They are difficult to clean as they have multiple zones of uneven heating. If not properly cleaned they could leave burn marks.

Single ovens with built-in ovens are the most common type of oven and can be placed under a hob or above the eye level in a built-in unit. They are typically large enough to accommodate a large meal and come in different sizes, so make sure to consider your family size when choosing an oven. They can also be found with additional options like an oven with a grill or a steam function.

Installation

It may be worth hiring an electrician to set up the new oven for you, or replace an old one. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and your new cooker is safe to use. An experienced electrician will be able to follow local regulations to ensure that your installation is compliant with all safety standards.

You'll require all the tools and equipment that you require before beginning the installation process of your new electric hob and oven. These include wire nuts, an electric tape, screwdriver and a tester for electrical circuits and conduit. It's also important to test the electrical supply in your home to ensure it is able to handle the load of a new electric oven and hob.

The first step of installing a new hob and oven is to take out any old appliances. To do this, locate the screws or bolts that hold the old appliance in place and then remove them carefully. After the old appliance is removed from the space, it must be cleaned and free of obstructions. Next the junction box will need to be mounted and connected to the electrical supply using conduit. It is essential to follow the directions of the manufacturer as well as any local regulations.

Once the electrical connections are made, the oven and hob can be moved into position. The fitter will use the clips that came along with the hob to secure it and ensure it is flush with your worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to confirm that it is functioning properly.

It is best hobs to employ an expert to install a gas hob and oven. Gas installation isn't as easy as plugging in an electric oven. A CORGI registered engineer must connect the pipework. It's also recommended to purchase a cooker hood installed in the event that you don't have one as it will allow you to ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.