How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen

If you're looking for an oven or a new hob, we've got a range of sizes and styles, features and designs to suit your kitchen.

Generally simple to use and hard-wearing, solid plate hobs have sealed metal plates that heat your cookware. They're great for flat-based dishes and can be economical to run.

Origins

Ovens are utilized in kitchens all over the world to roast and bake foods. Generally they are fueled by gas or electricity with models that use bottle gas available in some markets but ovens can also use other fuels like charcoal or wood. In many homes the oven is located by a stove where food can be cooked. Hobs are essentially a stove that can be turned on and off. An oven is a closed enclosure that cooks food in the middle.

The first ovens were huge brick and mud structures that contained fire to heat 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 shared between family members. Open pits and ovens had three major disadvantages They were dangerous due to the open flames and smoke and they required a lot of fuel (wood), they were difficult to control heat and cooking.

The solution was to use ovens that resembled like fireplaces. They had a chimney that secluded off the flame, reducing its intensity and the amount of smoke. This made it easier to manage. These were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries and hobs were often found in household that were wealthy enough to have a separate kitchen with a chimney, as well as having more than one oven and fireplace.

In the middle of the 19th century, European ovens were a common feature in kitchens. It was partly due the fact that the oven was an essential requirement. 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 ovens coincided in part with the evolution of cooking techniques and recipes, leading to a greater emphasis on meat and casseroles.

It is worth noting that in certain recipes like those of Nigella, she will recommend leaving a pot "on the hob" but this can be misleading since a hob is actually an actual British word that refers to stove top. If you're unfamiliar with British terminology and terminology, the North American equivalent would be a cooktop or range.

Functions

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

Most ovens hobs come with a conventional mode that heats from the top and bottom to bake or roast food items. They also offer a fan-assisted mode that utilizes a built-in fan in order to circulate air around the oven to ensure more even heating and faster speed. There are a variety of ovens and hobs to choose from, and it's important to know the various features to determine the ones that are best for your needs.

A fan-powered oven is perfect to cook a variety of foods. It heats the oven more evenly than a traditional oven, and is great for grilling, baking, and roasting. It's particularly useful for dishes that need an immediate, crisp finish, 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 it can save you up to 40% of cooking time.

Some ovens come with a grilling function that combines the heat from the bottom of the oven with that from the top to give your meals a delicious charcoal. It's ideal for kebabs made of meat or vegetables and can be identified by zigzags and straight lines similar to Fan-Assisted. This type of oven is typically found on the bottom shelf of the oven. Be sure to verify the temperature settings in your oven hob to prevent overcooking.

Other oven functions include slow cooking, proofing bread and pastries and much more. These are usually preprogrammed and create a controlled, warm environment that helps rise dough and create flavours.

Some ovens come with a steam function that is ideal for creating healthy and nutritious food. It offers a moderate amount of moisture to your food, which maintains the tenderness of the food and imparts a delicate, rich taste to your poultry, vegetables baked items as well as custards. Utilizing this feature is just as simple as pouring the water into the reservoir of your oven, then turning it on, with certain models even automatically altering the amount of steam depending on the temperature that is selected.

Types

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

Gas ovens are a very popular choice and can be found in the majority of kitchens. They are easy to use as they have rings around the burners and the grate that pans sit on which emits heat. Gas hobs also tend to be energy efficient and offer precise temperature control, which means they can reduce your energy costs. However, they will take longer to heat than electric hobs and are difficult to clean if they are coated with a residue.

Electric hobs and ovens come in a variety of styles including induction and ceramic. Induction hobs can be slightly more expensive to purchase however they are considered to be energy efficient because the hob only generates heat when you place a pan over it. They are also cool to the point of contact, making them safer for children, and are fast to warm up. They can also be slow to cool down and do not heat up evenly.

Plate hobs are a classic of the kitchen, featuring an array of cooking zones on a flat surface that sits beneath your kitchen units. They provide a stylish, modern appearance that looks sleek and match the majority of kitchens. They aren't easy to clean since they have multiple cooking zones that have uneven heating and can leave burn marks on the surface if not cleaned in a timely manner.

The most common model is the built-in single oven. They can be placed on top of a stove, or in a built-in cabinet. When selecting an oven, take into consideration the size of your family. They can be large enough to accommodate a huge meal and come in different sizes. There are also ovens with additional features like grill or steam functions.

Installation

It could be worthwhile to hire an electrician to install a new oven for you or to replace an old one. This will ensure the electrical circuit is properly set up and your new cooker is safe for use. An experienced electrician will be able to follow local regulations to make sure that your installation is in line with all safety codes.

Before beginning the installation process of your new electric oven and hob you'll need to have all the required equipment and tools in your kitchen. This includes wire nuts, a screwdriver, electrical tape as well as an electrical circuit tester and conduit. It is also essential to examine the electrical supply in your home and make sure it can handle the load of a new electric oven and hob.

In order to install a new oven and hob first, you must take them out of the old ones. Find the bolts or screws holding the old appliance, and then remove them with care. After the old appliance has been removed from the area it should be cleared of any obstructions. Next a junction box needs to be mounted and connected to the electrical supply with conduit. This should be done in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions as well as any relevant local regulations.

Once the electrical connections are made and the oven or hob is connected, it 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 is flush with your work surface. 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 employ a professional for the task. Gas installation isn't as easy as plugging in an electric oven. A CORGI registered engineer must connect the pipework. Installing a cooker hood is also an option to consider if you do not already have one. This will help ventilate your kitchen and is required by the Part F of Building Regulations.