fieldbass09

How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen Whether you're looking for a new oven or hob we've got the dimensions, features and styles to fit 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're great for flat-based dishes and are cost-effective to run. Origins Ovens are kitchen appliances used to bake and roast food in homes across the world. Generally they are fueled by gas or electricity with bottle gas models available in some markets but ovens can also make use of other fuels, like charcoal or wood. In many homes the oven is located with a hob which is where food can be cooked. A hob is a burner 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. These ovens were used for baking bread, cooking meat, and cooking other meals since they were able to hold heat and maintained a consistent temperature. They could also be easily shared by family members. These open pits and ovens had three major disadvantages: they were dangerous due to the smoke and flames that could be seen from them and they required a lot of fuel (wood), they were difficult to control the heat and cooking. A solution was found with ovens that resembled fireplaces, with a chimney that shut off the fire to decrease its intensity and smoke and make it easier to manage. These were common in the 16th and early 17th centuries. They were used in homes of the wealthy that had a separate kitchen with a chimney as well as more than one oven and fireplace. By the mid-19th century, European ovens had evolved to become a common element in kitchens of homes. It was partly due to the fact that the oven was an essential requirement. It was safer and more efficient for people to cook on an open flame or in the cauldron. It is believed that the invention of the oven was correlated with the changes in cooking methods and recipes, which led to an increased concentration on meat and casseroles. In some recipes, such as those made by Nigella she may suggest placing a pan “on the hob”. However it could be confusing, because a hob in British English refers to an oven. The North American equivalent is a cooktop or range, so it can be confusing if not familiar with British terminology. Functions The oven's functions, or cooking modes, are pre-programmed choices which control the way that oven's heating elements as well as the fan work based on the recipe. They are designed to make cooking food easier and more efficient while maintaining the taste 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 an even and faster heating. There are many different types of oven and hob functions to pick from, and it's crucial to know the various features to find out the ones that are best for your requirements. The fan-powered function of the oven is ideal to cook a range of food items. It heats up the oven more evenly than conventional ovens and is perfect for baking, grilling and roasting. It's particularly useful for dishes that require a fast, crisp finish like pizzas or pie. The Fan-Assisted setting comes with an angled top and a line on the bottom. It can help save up to 40 percent of cooking time. Some ovens have grilling features that combine the heat from the bottom of the oven with that from the top, giving your food a delicious charcoal. This is a great option for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and can be identified by zigzag lines and straight lines, like Fan-Assisted. This is typically used on the lower rack of the oven, so make sure to pay attention to the temperature settings of your oven to avoid overcooking. ovens uk include slow cooking baking, proofing bread and pastries and many other things. These are often preprogrammed and create a controlled, warm atmosphere to help rise dough and create flavours. There are ovens that come with a Steam function which is perfect for creating healthy, nutritious foods. It adds a small amount of moisture to your food, which preserves the tenderness of the food and imparts a delicate, rich flavour to vegetables, poultry baked products and even custards. This function is activated by placing water into the reservoir of your oven, and turning it on. Certain models can alter the amount of steam depending on the temperature selected. Types There are a myriad of ovens and hobs that are available on the market. Best ovens UK vary from traditional gas models to modern electric models. Picking the one that best suits your needs and style will make a significant difference in how it is easy to cook at home. It is worthwhile to think about features like self-cleaning and intelligent capabilities too. Gas ovens are a great fit in many kitchens and are a very popular option. They usually come with burners with rings and a grate on which pans rest on. They emit heat, which makes them easy to use. Gas hobs also tend to be energy efficient and have precise temperature control, meaning they can cut down on your utility bills. However, they can take longer to heat up than electric and can be difficult to clean if left with residues. Electric hobs come in a range of designs including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs may be a little more expensive to purchase, but they are considered to be energy efficient since the hob only produces heat when you place a pan on it. They are also cool to the touch, which makes them safer for children. They are relatively fast to warm up. However, they may not always heat the pan uniformly and can take a long time to cool down. Plate hobs are a classic of the kitchen, with an array of cooking zones, all on an even surface that is placed under your kitchen units. They sport a sleek, modern look that will complement most kitchens. They are difficult to clean since they have multiple zones of uneven heating. If not cleaned properly they may leave burn marks. Single ovens that are built-in are the most popular type of oven, and they can be installed under a hob or at eye level in a built-in unit. When choosing an oven, think about the size of your family. They are usually large enough to hold a big meal and come in different sizes. There are also ovens with additional features like a steam or grill function. Installation It may be worth hiring an electrician to install the new oven for you or to replace an old one. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and the new oven is safe to use. A qualified electrician will be able to follow local regulations and ensure that the installation is in line with all applicable safety regulations. Before beginning the process of fitting your new electric oven or hob you'll need to have all the necessary supplies and tools on hand. Wire nuts, a screwdriver and electrical tape are among the tools you'll need. It's also important to check the electrical supply in your home and ensure it can withstand the demands of a new electric oven and hob. The first step in the process of putting in a new stove and oven is to take out any old appliances. Locate the bolts or screws that hold the old appliance and take them off them with care. Once the appliance has been removed, the area where the new one will be installed must be free of any obstructions. Then the junction box will need to be mounted and connected to the electrical supply via conduit. It is crucial to follow the instructions of the manufacturer as well as any local regulations. Once electrical connections are established, the oven or hob can then be lowered in place. The fitter will utilize the clips that came along with the hob in order to fix it and ensure that it's level with the worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to confirm that it is operating properly. If you're installing an oven or hob that is gas-powered, it's a good idea engage a professional to do the job. Gas installation isn't as straightforward as plugging in a new electric oven. It requires the services of an CORGI registered engineer to connect the pipework. Installing a cooker hood is also an option to consider for those who don't have one. This will allow air to circulate in your kitchen, and is required by the Part F of Building Regulations.