15 Unexpected Facts About Oven And Hob You Didn't Know
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 a range of sizes, features and styles to fit your kitchen. Solid plate hobs are simple to use and are durable. They have metal plates with a sealed surface that heats your cookware. They are ideal for flat-based products and can be economical to run. Origins Ovens are commonly used in kitchens all over the world to bake and roast food items. In general, they are powered by gas or electricity. Bottle gas models are available in specific markets. However ovens hobs can also powered by other fuels such as charcoal or wood. In many homes, an oven is surrounded by a stove where food can be cooked. The difference between a hob and an oven is that a hob has burners that can be turned on and off while an oven comes with an enclosure in which food is 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 capable of containing the heat to maintain an even temperature, and could easily be shared among family members. Open pits and ovens had three major drawbacks they were risky due to the open flames and smoke, they used a lot fuel (wood) and they were difficult to control heat and cooking. A solution was found with 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 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 with a chimney, as well as having more than one oven and fireplace. By the middle of the 19th century, European ovens had evolved to become a standard feature in home kitchens. It was partly due the fact that the oven was essential. It was more secure and efficient for people to cook on an open flame or in the cauldron. It is also believed that the invention and use of the oven coincided in part with changes in cooking styles and recipes, leading to a greater emphasis on meat and casseroles. It is worth noting that in some recipes, such as those from Nigella she suggests placing the pot “on the hob” however this could be misleading as a hob is actually an actual British word that refers to stove top. The North American equivalent is a cooktop or range, so it could be confusing if you're unfamiliar with the British terminology. Functions The oven's functions, or cooking modes, are pre-programmed settings that regulate how the oven's heating elements and fan operate depending on your recipe. They are designed to make cooking food more simple and more efficient while maintaining the taste and texture. Ovens typically have a conventional 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 the air around the oven, allowing for more uniform and faster heating. There are a variety of ovens and hobs to pick from, and it's essential to understand the different features to find out which one is best suited to your requirements. A fan-assisted oven feature is ideal for cooking a variety food items. It heats the oven more evenly than a traditional oven, and is great for grilling, baking and roasting. It's especially 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. Certain ovens have a grilling function that combines the heat from the bottom of the oven with that from the top to give your meals a delicious char. It's ideal for meat or vegetable kebabs, 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 be careful to observe the temperature settings of your oven to prevent overcooking. Other oven functions include slow cooking, proofing bread and pastries and much more. These ovens are usually programmed to create a warm, controlled environment to facilitate the rise of dough and allow your food to develop great flavors. There are ovens that have Steam functions that are ideal for creating healthy, nutritious foods. It offers a moderate amount of moisture to your food, which helps preserve the tenderness of the food and imparts a delicate, rich taste to poultry, vegetables baked goods, baked products as well as custards. Utilizing this feature is just as simple as pouring the water into the reservoir in your oven and turning it on, with some models even automatically adjusting the amount of steam to depend on the selected temperature. Types There are many ovens and hobs on the market. These are available in a variety of styles, from traditional gas models to modern electric models. Picking the one that best suits your preferences and style can make a big difference to how easy it is to cook at home. It is worthwhile to think about features such as self-cleaning and intelligent capabilities too. Gas ovens are a popular choice and can be found in all kitchens. They usually have burners with rings and an grate that the pans sit on which emits heat, which makes them simple to use. Gas hobs are also energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. This can help you cut your utility bills. They can take longer to warm up than electric hobs and can be more difficult to clean, due to dirt. Electric hobs are available in a variety of styles including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are slightly more expensive to purchase but are considered energy efficient as the hob generates heat only when you place a pan over it. They are also cool to the point of contact, making them more child-safe, and are fast to heat up. They can also be slow to cool down and don't heat up evenly. Plate hobs, which are also a kitchen staple, feature an array of cooking zones that are all electric and on flat surfaces. They are placed under the cabinets in your kitchen. They sport a sleek, modern design that is perfect for the majority of kitchens. They aren't easy to keep clean as they have multiple cooking zones with uneven heating. They can also leave burn marks on the surface if not cleaned properly. Single ovens that are built-in are the most commonly used kind of oven, and can be placed either under a stove 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 huge meal and are available in various sizes. They are also available with additional options such as an oven with a grill or a steam function. ovens hobs might be worthwhile hiring an electrician to install an oven that is new for you, or replace an old one. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and that your new appliance is safe to use. A qualified electrician will be able to adhere to local regulations and ensure that your installation is in line with all relevant safety regulations. Before you begin the process of fitting your new electric oven or hob you'll need to have all the necessary supplies and tools on hand. These include wire nuts, a screwdriver, electrical tape, an electrical circuit tester 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 in the process of installing a new hob and oven is to get rid of any old appliances. To accomplish this, locate the bolts or screws that hold the old appliance and remove them with care. After the old appliance is removed from the space, it should be cleaned and free of obstructions. The junction box should be installed, with the conduit connected to the electrical supply. This must be done in accordance with manufacturer's instructions as well as any relevant local regulations. After electrical connections have been completed then the oven and the hob can be lowered into place. The fitter will then use the clips that came with the hob to secure it in place and ensure that it's in line with the worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to ensure it is working correctly. If you're planning to install a gas hob and oven, it's best to engage a professional to do the job. Gas installation is not like plugging in an electric oven. A CORGI registered engineer is required to connect the pipes. Installing an oven hood is a good option if you do not already have one. This will allow air to circulate in your kitchen, and is required by the Part F of Building Regulations.