How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen

We have a range of styles, sizes and features to suit any kitchen.

Solid plate hobs are easy to use and are durable. They feature metal plates with sealed surfaces that heat your cookware. They are ideal for flat-based cookware and can be cost-effective to run.

Origins

Ovens are kitchen appliances used to bake and roast food in households around the world. They are typically powered by electricity or gas, with models that use bottle gas that are sold in certain stores but ovens can also make use of other fuels, like charcoal or wood. In many homes the oven is located by a stove where food can be prepared. Hobs are essentially a stove that can be turned on or off. An oven is a closed space which heats food in the middle.

The first ovens were huge brick and mud constructions that contained fire to heat food. They were used to bake bread, cook meat and other dishes since they were capable of keeping the heat at an even temperature, and were able to be shared amongst family members. 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), they were difficult to control heat and cooking.

The solution was found in ovens that resembled fireplaces with a chimney which shut off the fire to decrease the intensity and amount of smoke and make it easier to manage. These were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries and were commonly used in homes that were wealthy enough to have a separate kitchen area with a chimney, and having more than one oven and fireplace.

By the mid-19th Century, European ovens were a popular feature in kitchens. It was partly due to the fact that the oven was essential. It was safer and more efficient for people to cook their food over an open fire or in the cauldron. It is believed that the growth and use of the oven was with the evolution of cooking techniques and recipes, which led to a greater focus on casseroles and meat.

It is worth noting that in some recipes, like those of Nigella she may suggest cooking the pot "on the hob", but this can be misleading as a hob is actually an actual British word for a stove top. The North American equivalent is a range or cooktop, so it can be confusing if you're not familiar with British terminology.

Functions

The oven's functions, or cooking modes, are pre-programmed options that control how the oven's heating elements and fan operate depending on your recipe. They are designed to make cooking food simpler and more efficient, while preserving flavour and texture.

The majority of ovens hobs have a traditional mode that heats from the top and bottom to bake or roast food. There is also a fan-assisted mode that uses an integrated fan to circulate the air around the oven, allowing a more even and quicker heating. There are a variety of oven and hob functions to pick from, and it's important to understand the different features to find out which ones are right for your requirements.

The fan-powered function of the oven is perfect for cooking a variety of foods. It heats the oven more evenly than conventional ovens and is ideal for baking, grilling and roasting. It's especially useful for meals that require an immediate, crisp finish like pizzas or pie. The Fan-Assisted setting is identified with a zigzag at the top and an straight line at the bottom of a square and it can cut down up to 40% of cooking time.

Some ovens come with grilling options that combine heat from the bottom and top of the oven, giving your food an amazing charcoal. This is a great option for meat and vegetable kebabs and is marked with zigzag lines and straight lines, like Fan-Assisted. This type of oven is typically placed on the bottom shelf of the oven. Be sure to be aware of the temperature settings inside your oven to ensure that you don't overcook.

There are additional oven functions that include bread and pastry proofing slow cooking, proofing and much other things. These ovens are usually programmed to create a warm, controlled environment to facilitate the rise of dough and allow your food to develop great flavor.

There are also some ovens and hobs uk that have steam functions, which are ideal for creating healthy, nutritious meals. It provides a low level of moisture to your food, which helps preserve the tenderness of the food and imparts a delicate, rich flavour to poultry, vegetables baked goods as well as custards. This feature can be activated by simply placing water in the reservoir of your oven and then turning it on. Some models will even adjust the amount of steam automatically in accordance with the temperature set.

Types

There are many kinds of oven and hob that are available, ranging from traditional gas to modern electric models. It is essential to choose an oven and hob that meets your requirements. It is worth considering features such as self-cleaning and intelligent capabilities too.

Gas ovens are a very popular option and are suitable for most kitchens. They are easy to use since they have rings around the burners as well as a grate where pans rest and emits heat. Gas hobs are also energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. This can help you reduce your utility bill. However, they may take longer to preheat than electric ones and are difficult to clean if they are coated with a residue.

Electric hobs come in a range of designs including induction and ceramic. Induction hobs are a bit more expensive, but they are energy efficient because the hob only gets hot when you put the pot on it. They also remain cool to the touch, making them more child-safe, and are fast to heat up. They can also be slow to cool down and do not warm up evenly.

Plate hobs are another stalwart of the kitchen, featuring an array of electric cooking zones that are placed on a flat surface that sits underneath your kitchen appliances. They sport a sleek, modern design that is perfect for all kitchens. They aren't easy to keep clean as they have multiple cooking zones that have uneven heating. They can also leave burn marks on the surface if not properly cleaned.

Single ovens and hobs uk with built-in ovens are the most commonly used type of oven and they can be installed either underneath a hob or at eye level in an integrated unit. They are often big enough to accommodate a big meal and come in different sizes, so be sure to consider your family size when choosing an oven. There are also ovens with additional features, such as grill or steam functions.

Installation

It could be worthwhile to hire an electrician to install an oven that is new for you, or replace an old one. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is properly set up and that the new oven is safe to use. An electrician who is certified can follow local regulations and ensure that the installation is in compliance with all relevant safety codes.

Before beginning the installation process of your new electric oven and hob you'll need to have all the required supplies and tools in your kitchen. Wire nuts as well as a screwdriver and electrical tape are among the tools you'll require. It's also important to test the electrical power supply in your home and ensure it can handle the load of a brand new electric oven and hob.

To put in a new oven and hob, you must first take them out of the old ones. To do this, find the bolts or screws that hold the old appliance in place and carefully remove them. After the old appliance is removed from the area it must be cleared of any obstructions. The junction box needs to be installed, with the conduit connected to the electrical supply. This should be done according to the manufacturer's instructions and any relevant local regulations.

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

If you're installing a gas oven and hob it's best to employ a professional for the task. Gas installation isn't like connecting an electric oven. A CORGI registered engineer is required to connect the pipework. Installing a cooker hood is also an option to consider for those who don't have one. This will help ventilate your kitchen and is required by Part F of Building Regulations.