How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen

We offer a variety of sizes, styles and features that will fit in with any kitchen.

Solid plate hobs are simple to use and durable. They have metal plates with a sealed surface that heats your cookware. These are good for flat-based products and may be cost-effective to run.

Origins

Ovens are kitchen appliances used to bake and roast food for households across the world. They are generally powered by electricity or gas. The models with gas bottles are available in certain markets. However, ovens can also be powered by other fuels such as charcoal or wood. In a lot of homes, the oven is surrounded by a hob that food can be cooked. The difference between a hob and an oven is that a hob comes with 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 the ability to burn in order to cook food. These ovens were used for baking bread, cooking meat, and for cooking other foods since they were able to hold heat and maintained a constant temperature. They could also be easily shared by family members. These open pits and ovens had three major disadvantages they were risky due to the open flames and smoke as well as the use of a lot of fuel (wood) and they were difficult to control the heat and cooking.

The solution was to use ovens that looked like fireplaces. They had a chimney that secluded off the fire, reducing its intensity and smoke. This made it easier to manage. These were common in the 16th and early 17th century. They were found in wealthy households that had a separate kitchen with a chimney as well as more than one oven and fireplace.

In the middle of the 19th century, European ovens were a common fixture in kitchens. This was largely due to the fact that the oven was a necessity. It was more secure and efficient for people to cook on an open flame or in a cauldron. It is also believed that the invention and use of the oven coincided in part with the evolution of cooking techniques and recipes, leading to a greater focus on casseroles and meat.

In certain recipes, like those of Nigella she might suggest placing a pan "on the hob". However, this can be misleading since a hob in British English refers to a stovetop. The North American equivalent is a range or cooktop, so it can be confusing if not familiar with British terminology.

Functions

The oven functions, also referred to as cooking modes, are preprogrammed options that control the oven's heating element as well as fan depending on your recipe. They are designed to make cooking food more efficiently and effectively while also preserving the flavor and texture.

Ovens have a traditional mode that heats food from the top to the bottom. They also offer a fan-assisted mode that uses a built-in fan to circulate air around the oven to ensure more even heating and faster speed. There are a myriad of types of oven and hob functions to choose from, and it's crucial to know the various features to find out the ones that are best ovens for your needs.

The fan-assisted function of the oven is perfect for cooking a wide variety of foods. It heats the oven more evenly than a conventional oven, and is great for grilling, baking and roasting. It's particularly useful for meals that require quick, crisp and fast-drying, such as pizza or pies. The Fan-Assisted setting is marked by a zigzag at top and an straight line at the bottom of a square, and it can save you up to 40% of cooking time.

Certain ovens have grilling features that combine the heat from the bottom of the oven with the top to give your food an amazing char. It's great for meat or vegetable kebabs and can be identified with the zigzag and straight lines like Fan-Assisted. This is typically utilized on the lower rack of the oven, so be careful to observe the temperature settings of your oven to prevent overcooking.

Other oven functions include slow cooking making bread and pastries, proofing them and much more. These are often pre-programmed to create a warm, controlled environment to facilitate the rise of dough and help your food to develop wonderful flavor.

There are also some ovens that come with Steam functions that are ideal for making healthy, nutritious foods. Steam adds a delicate and rich flavour to baked items such as poultry, vegetables, and custards. Using this function is as easy as pouring water into the reservoir inside your oven and turning it on, with certain models even automatically changing the amount of steam depending on the temperature you select.

Types

There are a variety of oven and hob that are available that range from traditional gas to modern electric models. Choosing one that meets your preferences and style can make a huge difference to how it is easy to cook at home. It is worth considering features such as self-cleaning and smart functions too.

Gas ovens are a great fit in many kitchens and are a popular choice. They usually come with burners with rings and a grate on which pans rest on, which releases heat, which makes them simple to use. Gas hobs are also energy-efficient and have precise temperature control. This could help you reduce your utility bill. They can take longer to heat up than electric hobs and can be more difficult to clean up with dirt.

Electric hobs come in a variety of different styles that include ceramic and induction. Induction hobs may be a little more expensive to purchase but are considered energy efficient as the hob generates heat only when you place a pot over it. They also remain cool to the touch, which makes them safer for children, and are quick to heat up. However, they don't always heat the pan evenly and can be slow to cool down.

Plate hobs oven are a classic of the kitchen, with an array of cooking zones, all on a flat surface that sits under your kitchen units. They have a sleek, modern appearance that will look elegant and fit in with the majority of kitchens. They can be difficult to clean since they have multiple cooking zones that have uneven heating and can leave burn marks on the surface if they are not cleaned in a timely manner.

Built-in single ovens are the most popular type of oven, and can be placed under a hob or stovetop at eye level in an integrated unit. They are typically large enough to accommodate a big meal and can come in a variety of sizes, so make sure to take into consideration your family's size when selecting an oven. There are also ovens with additional features like grill or steam features.

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 take care of the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and that your new cooker is safe to use. A qualified electrician can follow local regulations and ensure that your installation is in compliance with all relevant safety codes.

You'll require all the tools and materials you need before you begin the installation of your brand new electric hob and oven. These include wire nuts an electric tape, screwdriver and a tester for electrical circuits and conduit. Examine the electrical supply in your home to make sure it is able to handle the new electric hob and oven.

The first step of installing a new hob and oven is to remove any old appliances. Locate the bolts or screws that hold the old appliance and remove them carefully. Once the appliance has been removed, the space where the new one will be installed must be clear of obstructions. The junction box must be installed, with the conduit connected to the electrical supply. It is essential to follow the guidelines of the manufacturer as well as any local regulations.

After electrical connections have been established and the oven or hob is connected, it can be moved into place. The fitter will then use the clips that came with the hob to fix it in place and make sure that it's flush with the worktop. Finally, the fitter will test the hob and ensure that it's functioning properly.

It is best ovens and hobs to employ a professional to install a gas stove and oven. Gas installation isn't as simple as plugging in a new electric oven. It requires the services of a CORGI registered engineer to connect the pipework. 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.