How to Choose the Right Oven and Hob for Your Kitchen

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

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

Origins

Ovens are used in kitchens across the globe to bake and roast foods. Generally they are fueled by electricity or gas, with gas bottles that are available in certain markets but ovens hobs can additionally use other fuels like charcoal or wood. In many homes, an oven is surrounded by a kitchen hob, where food can be cooked. The difference between a stove and an oven is that a hob has burners that can be switched off and on while an oven comes with an enclosure where food is heated in the middle.

The first ovens were massive brick and mud constructions that had a fire for heating food. These ovens were used to bake bread, cook meat, and for cooking other foods since they were able to hold heat and maintained a constant temperature. They could also be shared by family members. The open pits and ovens had three major drawbacks: they were dangerous because of the smoke and flames that could be seen from them and they required a lot of fuel (wood) and were difficult to control heat and the cooking process.

The solution was to make ovens look like fireplaces. They had a chimney that blocked off the fire, reducing its intensity and the amount of smoke. This made it easier to manage. These were common during the 16th and 17th century. They were used in wealthy homes that had a separate kitchen with a chimney, and more than one oven and fireplace.

In the middle of the 19th century, European ovens were a common feature in kitchens. This was partly because the oven became an essential feature, as it was more secure and efficient to cook food in an oven rather than on an open flame or using a cauldron. It is also believed that the development and use of the oven coincided in part with changes in cooking styles and recipes, leading to a greater focus on meat and casseroles.

In some recipes, like those of Nigella she might suggest cooking the pan "on the hob". However, this can be misleading, because a hob in British English is an oven. If you're unfamiliar with British terminology it is possible that the North American equivalent would be the term cooktop or range.

Functions

The oven functions, also known as cooking modes, are preprogrammed options which control the oven's heating element and fan according to your recipe. They are designed to make cooking food easier and more efficient while maintaining flavour and texture.

Ovens come with a traditional mode that cooks food from the top to the bottom. There is also a fan-assisted option which makes use of an integrated fan to circulate air around the oven, which allows for an even and faster heating. There are a myriad of types of oven and hob functions to pick from, and it's crucial to know the various features to find out which one is best suited to your requirements.

A fan-powered oven is ideal to cook a variety of foods. It warms up the oven more evenly than conventional ovens, and is perfect for grilling, baking, and roasting. It's particularly useful for dishes that require quick, crisp and fast-drying like pizzas or pie. The Fan-Assisted setting is marked by a zigzag on the top and a straight line at the bottom of a square, and it can cut down up to 40% in cooking time.

Certain ovens have grilling features that combine the heat from the bottom of the oven hob with the top, giving your meals a delicious charcoal. It's ideal for kebabs of meat or vegetables and can be marked with the zigzag and straight lines, like Fan-Assisted. This is usually found on the lower shelf of the oven. Be sure to check the temperature settings of your oven to avoid overcooking.

Other oven functions include slow cooking making bread and pastries, proofing them, and other things. They are typically preprogrammed to create a controlled, warm atmosphere to help rise dough and develop flavors.

There are ovens with steam functions, which are ideal for creating healthy, nutritious food. It adds a delicate and rich flavor to baked products, poultry, vegetables and custards. Utilizing this feature is as easy as pouring water into the reservoir inside your oven and turning it on, with certain models automatically changing the amount of steam depending on the selected temperature.

Types

There are a variety of oven and hob on the market with a range of styles, from traditional gas models to modern electric models. It is important to choose an oven and hob that meets your requirements. It is worthwhile to think about features like self-cleaning or smart capabilities too.

Gas ovens are suitable for many kitchens and are a very popular option. They are easy to use because they come with rings on the burners as well as a grate where pans rest that emits heat. Gas hobs are also energy efficient and have precise temperature control. This can help lower your energy bills. However, they will take longer to heat than electric and can be difficult to clean if they are left with residues.

Electric hobs are available in a variety of different designs including ceramic and induction. Induction hobs are a bit more expensive but they are energy efficient since the hob only gets hot when you put the pot on it. They are also cool to the point of contact, making them more child-safe, and are relatively fast to heat up. However, they don't always heat evenly and may take a while to cool down.

Plate hobs, which are a kitchen staple, feature a variety of cooking zones that are all electric on flat surfaces. They sit under the cabinets in your kitchen. They provide a stylish modern design that looks sleek and match the majority of kitchens. They are difficult to clean as they contain multiple zones of uneven heating. If they are not properly cleaned they may leave burn marks.

The most commonly used model is the built-in single oven. They can be placed on top of a stove, or in an built-in cabinet. They are usually large enough to hold a large meal and come in a variety of sizes, so be sure to take into consideration your family's size when selecting an oven. You can also find them with additional features like grill or steam features.

Installation

If you're installing a new oven or replacing an old one, it's worth hiring an electrician to take care of the installation for you. This will ensure that the electrical circuit is correctly installed and the new oven is safe to use. A licensed electrician will be able to adhere to local regulations and ensure that your installation is in accordance with all applicable safety regulations.

Before you begin the installation process of your new electric oven and hob you'll need to have all the required equipment and tools available. This includes wire nuts, an electric tape, screwdriver as well as an electrical circuit tester and conduit. It's also important to test the electrical supply at your home and make sure it can handle the load of a new electric oven and hob.

To install a new oven and hob, you must first take them out of the old ones. To accomplish this, locate the bolts or screws that hold the old appliance in place and carefully remove them. After the appliance is removed, the space where the new one is installed should be free of obstructions. The junction box needs to be installed, with the conduit connected to the electrical supply. It is important to follow the instructions of the manufacturer and any local regulations.

Once electrical connections are made after which the oven or hob is then lowered into place. The fitter will then utilize the clips that came with the hob to hold it in place and ensure that it's in line with the worktop. The fitter will then test the hob to make sure it is functioning properly.

If you're planning to install a gas oven and hob it's a good idea to engage a professional to do the task. Gas installation isn't as simple as connecting an electric oven. A CORGI certified engineer must 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 the Part F of the Building Regulations.