How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen

If you're in the market for an oven or hob that is new, we've got the dimensions and styles, features and designs to match your kitchen.

Solid plate hobs are simple to use and are durable. They feature metal plates with a sealed surface that heats your cookware. They're good for flat-based items and are cost-effective to run.

Origins

Ovens are used in kitchens across the globe to roast and bake foods. They are typically powered by gas or electricity. Bottle gas models are available in some markets. However ovens can also be powered by other fuels, such as charcoal or wood. In many homes the oven is usually surrounded by a kitchen hob, where food can be cooked. A hob is a burner that can be turned on or off. An oven is a closed space that heats food in the middle.

The first ovens were massive brick and mud structures which contained a fire to cook food. They 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 among family members. However, open pits and furnaces came with three major drawbacks - they were dangerous because of the open flame and smoke as well as the consumption of fuel (wood) and was difficult to control the cooking process and heat.

A solution was found with ovens that resembled fireplaces with a chimney that shut off the fire to lessen the intensity and amount of smoke and make it easier to control. They were popular in the 16th and 17th century. They were found in wealthy households that had a separate kitchen with a chimney as well as more than one fireplace and oven.

By the mid-19th Century, European ovens were a common fixture in kitchens. It was partly due the fact that the oven was an essential requirement. It was safer and more efficient to cook their food over an open flame or in the cauldron. However, it is thought that the development of the oven was correlated with the evolution of cooking style and recipes, which led to more emphasis on casseroles and meat.

In some recipes, such as those by Nigella she might suggest placing a pan "on the hob". However this could be confusing, because a hob in British English refers to a stovetop. If you're not familiar with British terminology and terminology, the North American equivalent would be a range or cooktop.

Functions

The oven functions, also known as cooking modes, are preprogrammed options which control the oven's heating element as well as fan based on the recipe you are cooking. They are designed to help you cook food more efficiently and effectively while preserving the taste and texture.

Most ovens come with a conventional mode that heats from the top and bottom to bake or roast food. They also have a fan-assisted option that uses a built-in fan to circulate air throughout the oven for more even heating and faster speed. There are many options available for oven and hob functions. It's important to know the distinctions to decide which one is right for you.

The fan-powered feature of the oven is ideal to cook a range of food items. It heats the oven more evenly than a traditional oven, and is great for baking, grilling, and roasting. It's particularly helpful for dishes that need quick, crisp and fast-drying, such as pizza or pies. The Fan-Assisted setting is identified by a zigzag at top and straight lines at the bottom of the square, and can help you save up to 40% of cooking time.

Some ovens come with grilling options that combine heat from the top and bottom of the oven to give your food a delicious charcoal. It's perfect for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and can be marked with zigzags or straight lines similar to Fan-Assisted. This is typically utilized on the bottom rack of the oven, so make certain to be aware of the oven's temperature settings to avoid overcooking.

There are also other oven functions that include proofing pastry and bread slow cooking, proofing, and other things. These are often pre-programmed to create a warm, controlled environment to facilitate the rising of dough. It also helps your food to develop wonderful flavors.

There are also some ovens with a Steam function which is perfect for creating healthy, nutritious food. It offers a moderate amount of moisture to your food, which maintains tenderness and adds an exquisite, rich flavor to your poultry, vegetables baked products and even custards. This feature can be activated by placing water into the reservoir of your oven and then turning it on. Some models even alter the amount of steam automatically depending on the temperature selected.

Types

There are many types of ovens and hobs that are available, ranging from traditional gas models to modern electric models. It is crucial to select an oven and a hob that suits your needs. Think about features like self-cleaning or smart features.

Gas ovens work well in many kitchens and are a popular option. They are easy to use since they have rings around the burners and the grate that pans sit on that emits heat. Gas hobs can also be energy efficient and have precise temperature control, which means they could reduce your utility bills. However, they will take longer to preheat than electric hobs oven and are difficult to clean if they are left with residues.

Electric hobs are available in a variety of different designs including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are more expensive, however they are more energy efficient as the hob only is heated when you put an item on it. They also remain cool to the touch, making them more child-safe, and are quick to warm up. They can also be slow to cool down and don't heat up evenly.

Plate hobs are a classic of the kitchen, with an array of cooking zones that are placed on a flat surface that sits underneath your kitchen appliances. They have a sleek, modern design that is perfect for all 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 not cleaned properly.

The most common model is the built-in single oven. They can be set up on top of a stove, or at eye-level in cabinets with built-in best ovens. They are typically large enough to accommodate a big dinner and are available in a variety of sizes, so make sure to consider your family size when selecting an oven. You can also find them with extra features such as grill or steam functions.

Installation

If you're planning on installing a brand new oven or replacing an old one, it might be worthwhile to hire an electrician to handle the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly set up and that your new cooker 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 need all the tools and materials you need before you begin the installation of your new electric hob and oven. This includes wire nuts, electrical tape, a screwdriver, an electrical circuit tester and conduit. Examine the electrical supply at your home to make sure it can handle an electric hob or oven.

To put in a new oven and hob uk first, you must take them out of the old ones. Find the bolts or screws holding the old appliance and take them off them with care. After the old appliance is removed from the area, it must be cleaned and free of obstructions. Next the junction box must be erected and connected to the electrical supply via conduit. This must be done in accordance with manufacturer's instructions as well as any relevant local regulations.

After electrical connections have been made after which the oven or hob can then be lowered in the desired position. The fitter will utilize the clips that came along with the hob in order to fix it and ensure that it's level with your worktop. The fitter will test the hob to ensure that it's operating correctly.

If you're planning to install a gas hob and oven, it's a good idea engage a professional to do the task. 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 recommended to purchase an oven hood fitted in case you don't have one, as this will help to ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of the Building Regulations.