How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen

We offer a variety of sizes, styles and features to suit any kitchen.

Solid plate hobs are simple to use and are durable. They feature metal plates with sealed surfaces that heat your cookware. They're great for flat-based dishes and are economical to run.

Origins

Ovens are utilized in kitchens around the world to bake and roast foods. They are generally powered by electricity or gas. The models with gas bottles 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 surrounded by a stove on which food items can be cooked. Hobs are essentially a stove that can be turned on and off. An oven is a sealed enclosure that heats food in the middle.

The first ovens were large brick and mud constructions that contained fire to heat food. They were used to bake bread, cook meat and other dishes as they were relatively good at keeping the heat at an even temperature and could easily be shared amongst family members. The open pits and ovens had three major drawbacks: they were dangerous due to the smoke and flames that could be seen from them, they used a lot fuel (wood) and they were difficult to control the heat and cooking.

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

By the middle of the 19th century, European ovens had evolved to become a common feature in home kitchens. It was partly due the fact that the best oven was an essential requirement. It was more secure and efficient to cook over an open fire or in the cauldron. It is believed that the growth and use of the oven was in part with changes in cooking methods and recipes, leading to a greater emphasis on meat and casseroles.

In certain recipes, like those by Nigella she may recommend cooking a pan "on the hob". However, this can be misleading since a hob in British English is a stovetop. If you're unfamiliar with British terminology and terminology, the North American equivalent would be a range or cooktop.

Functions

The oven's functions, or cooking modes, are pre-programmed options that regulate the way in which the oven's heating elements as well as the fan operate depending on your recipe. They are designed to allow you to cook food more efficiently and effectively while preserving flavour and texture.

Ovens typically have a conventional mode that heats from the top and bottom to bake or roast food. They also come with a fan-assisted option which makes use of a built-in fan to circulate air around the oven for more even and faster heating. There are a myriad of types of ovens and hobs to pick from, and it's crucial to understand the different features to find out the ones that are best oven uk for your requirements.

A fan-assisted oven function is ideal for cooking a variety food items. It heats the oven more evenly than standard ovens, and is perfect for baking, grilling and roasting. It is particularly useful for dishes like pizza and pie that require a quick, clean finish. 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 have a grilling feature that combines heat from the bottom and top of the oven, giving your food an amazing char. It's ideal for meat or vegetable kebabs, and can be marked with the zigzag and straight lines similar to Fan-Assisted. This is usually used on the lower shelf of the oven. Be sure to check the temperature settings in your oven to prevent overcooking.

Other oven functions include slow cooking making bread and pastries, proofing them and much more. They are typically preprogrammed to create a controlled, warm environment to help rise dough and develop flavours.

There are ovens that come with steam functions, which are ideal for making healthy, nutritious foods. It adds a small amount of moisture to your food, which helps preserve tenderness and adds a delicate, rich taste to poultry, vegetables, baked products as well as custards. This feature can be activated by placing water in the oven's reservoir, and turning it on. Certain models can adjust the amount of steam automatically depending on the temperature selected.

Types

There are a myriad of ovens and hobs available on the market. These range from traditional gas models to modern electric ones. Picking the one that Best place to buy oven and hob suits your preferences and style can make a huge difference in how it is easy to cook in your home. It is important to consider features such as self-cleaning and intelligent capabilities too.

Gas ovens work well in many kitchens and are a common option. They usually come with burners that have rings and an grate that the pans sit on, which releases heat, so they are simple to use. Gas best hobs can also be energy efficient and provide precise temperature control, which means they can cut down on your utility costs. However, they can take longer to heat than electric and can be difficult to clean if they are covered in a layer of residue.

Electric hobs come in many different styles including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are more expensive but 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, which makes them safer for children, and are fast to warm up. However, they don't always heat the pan uniformly and can take a long time to cool down.

Plate hobs are a classic of the kitchen, featuring an array of cooking zones on flat surfaces that are placed underneath your kitchen appliances. They offer a stylish, modern appearance that will look sleek and match the majority of kitchens. They are difficult to clean because they have multiple zones of uneven heating. If not properly cleaned they could leave burn marks.

Built-in single ovens are the most common kind of oven, and can be placed under a hob or at eye level in a built-in unit. They are typically large enough to accommodate a big meal and come in different sizes, so be certain to consider your family's size when you choose an oven. You can also find them with additional features like grill or steam functions.

Installation

If you're planning on installing a brand new oven or replacing one you have, it might be worthwhile to hire an electrician to handle the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and that the new oven is safe to use. An electrician who is certified will be able to follow local regulations and ensure that your installation is in accordance with all applicable safety codes.

You'll need all the tools and equipment you need before you begin the installation process of your new electric hob and oven. This includes wire nuts, an electric tape, screwdriver, an electrical circuit tester and conduit. Make sure you check the electrical supply at your home to make sure it is able to handle a new electric hob and oven.

The first step 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 in place and then remove them carefully. After the appliance is removed, the area in which the new one is installed must be clean and free of any obstructions. Next a junction box must be installed and connected to the electrical supply via conduit. This should be done in accordance with manufacturer's instructions as well as any relevant local regulations.

Once the electrical connections are completed after which the best oven uk and hob can be moved into 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 make sure it is operating properly.

If you're installing a gas hob and oven, it's a good idea to hire a professional for the task. Gas installation isn't quite as easy as plugging in a brand new electric oven. It requires the services of an CORGI registered engineer to connect the pipes. Installing cooker hoods is an option to consider for those who don't have one. This will help ventilate your kitchen and is required by the Part F of Building Regulations.