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 sizes and styles, features and designs to match your kitchen.

Solid plate hobs can be simple to use and durable. They are made of metal with sealed surfaces that heat your cookware. These are good for flat-based products and may be cost-effective to run.

Origins

Ovens are kitchen appliances that are used to bake and roast food for households across the world. They are generally powered by electricity or gas. Bottle gas models are available in some markets. However ovens can also be powered by other fuels, such as charcoal or wood. In a lot of homes the oven is enclosed by a hob that food can be cooked. Hobs are essentially a stove that can be turned on or off. An oven is a closed enclosure that heats food in the middle.

The first ovens were massive brick and mud structures that had fire to heat food. They were used for baking bread, cooking meat, and other dishes because they held heat well and maintained a constant temperature. They could also be easily shared by 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 as well as the consumption of fuel (wood), and it was difficult to control the heat and cooking process.

The solution was to use ovens that looked like fireplaces. They had a chimney that blocked off the flame, reducing its intensity and smoke. This made it easier to control. They were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. They were used in wealthy households that had a separate kitchen with a chimney, and more than one fireplace and oven.

By the mid-19th Century, European ovens were a common feature in kitchens. This was largely due to the fact that the oven was an essential requirement. It was more secure and efficient to cook over an open fire or in the cauldron. However, it is believed that the invention of the oven was correlated with changes in cooking techniques and recipes that led to a greater emphasis on meat and casseroles.

In certain recipes, such as those by Nigella she may suggest placing the pan "on the hob". However this could be confusing because a hob used in British English is an oven. If you're not familiar with British terminology it is possible that the North American equivalent would be a cooktop or range.

Functions

The oven functions, also referred to as cooking modes, are preprogrammed settings that control the oven's heating element and fan according to your recipe. They are designed to allow you to 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 have a fan-assisted option that uses a built-in fan to circulate air around the oven to ensure more even and faster heating. There are a variety of options for oven and hob functions. It is essential to know the differences to determine the best hobs one for you.

The fan-assisted function of the oven is ideal to cook a variety of foods. It can heat the oven more evenly than a conventional oven, and is great for baking, grilling, and roasting. It is especially helpful for dishes like pizza and pie that require a quick crisp and clean finish. The Fan-Assisted setting comes with a zigzag on top and a line at the bottom. It can cut down up to 40 percent of cooking time.

Certain ovens have grilling functions that combine the heat from the bottom of the oven with that from the top to give your meals a delicious char. This is a great option for meat and vegetable kebabs and is marked with straight lines and zigzag lines, similar to Fan-Assisted. This mode is typically used on the lower shelf of the oven. Be sure to verify the temperature settings inside your oven to prevent overcooking.

Other oven functions include slow cooking, proofing bread and pastries, and more. These are usually preprogrammed and provide a controlled warm environment to help rise dough and develop flavours.

There are also some ovens that have a Steam function which is perfect for creating healthy, nutritious food. It adds a small amount of moisture to your food, which preserves the tenderness of the food and imparts a delicate, rich flavour to your poultry, vegetables baked goods, baked products, and even custards. This function is activated by pouring water in the oven's reservoir, and turning it on. Some models will even adjust the amount of steam automatically depending on the temperature selected.

Types

There are many kinds of oven and hob on the market with a range of styles, from traditional gas to modern electric models. Selecting one that is suitable for your preferences and style will make a significant difference to how easy it is to cook at home. It is worth considering features such as self-cleaning and smart capabilities too.

Gas ovens are a great fit in many kitchens and are a common option. They are simple to use because they have rings on the burners and a grate where pans rest that emits heat. Gas hobs are also energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. This could help you reduce your utility bill. They can take longer to warm up than electric hobs, and they can be more difficult to clean with residue.

Electric hobs come in a variety of different styles, including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs uk can be a little more expensive to purchase however they are considered energy efficient as the hob generates heat only when you place a pan over it. They are also safe for children and are able to heat quite quickly. They can also be slow to cool off and do not heat up evenly.

Plate hobs are another stalwart of the kitchen, offering an array of electric cooking zones that are placed on flat surfaces that are placed beneath your kitchen units. They have a sleek, modern appearance that looks sleek and match the majority of kitchens. They aren't easy to keep clean as they have multiple cooking zones that have uneven heating and can leave burn marks on the surface if they are not cleaned properly.

Single ovens hobs that are built-in are the most common type of oven and these can be fitted either underneath a hob or above the eye level in an integrated unit. When choosing an oven, consider the size of your family. They are usually large enough to accommodate a large meal and are available in various sizes. They are also available with additional options like an oven with a grill or a steam function.

Installation

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

You'll require all the tools and supplies that you require before beginning the installation of your new electric hob and oven. This includes wire nuts, an electric tape, screwdriver as well as an electrical circuit tester and conduit. It's also important to check the electrical supply in your home to ensure it can handle the load of a brand new electric oven and hob.

The first step in the process of installing a new hob and oven is to remove any old appliances. To do this, find the screws or bolts that hold the old appliance and remove them with care. After the old appliance is removed from the space, it must be cleaned and free of obstructions. Next a junction box needs to be erected and connected to the electrical supply via conduit. This must be done according to the manufacturer's instructions as well as any relevant local regulations.

Once electrical connections have been made then the oven and the hob can be moved into position. The fitter will use the clips that came with the hob in order to fix it and ensure that it's flush with your worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to make sure it is operating properly.

It is best ovens and hobs uk to employ an expert to install a gas hob and oven. Gas installation isn't as straightforward as plugging in an electric oven. It requires the assistance of an CORGI certified engineer to connect the pipes. It's also an excellent idea to get a cooker hood installed 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.