This Week's Top Stories About Ovens
Types of Ovens and Hobs
The type of cooker hob you choose can have a big impact on how much energy you consume. There are a variety of models that will meet your cooking needs and preferences:
Plate hobs are four rings that look like hot plates but contain an electric coil beneath. They heat up quickly and provide excellent heat distribution to flat-based pans.
Range cookers
A range cooker is a self-standing oven and hob that usually comes with multiple oven cavities and a selection of burners including typically grills. A popular alternative to built-in ovens and stoves They come in different sizes and sleek designs that suit various kitchen designs.
The type of range cooker that you pick will depend on your budget and the cooking requirements. Generally dual fuel range cookers are preferred because they provide the best of both worlds: gas hobs that heat up quickly and are simple to control as well as powerful electric ovens with more functions and settings.
Many range cookers come with an extra storage drawer under the hob. This is perfect for storing baking trays or roasting dishes that are out of sight. This drawer can also be used to store stoneware, pots and pans so that you can save space in your cabinets. You can find cookers that have an integrated sink that will help you cook food and make cleaning easier.
If you're catering for a crowd or love to host dinner parties, look for a range cooker equipped with a self-cleaning pyrolytic oven. This is an amazing feature that's easy to use and makes use of high temperatures to break down leftover food debris. It then burns off on the surface and leaves a light ash that can simply be wiped away.
Some models come with an integrated grill, which is great to add a little crunch to oven-cooked meals. They can also be useful to fry up quick snacks like cheese on toast or crumpets.
Many range cookers come with powerful wok burners, which are perfect for those who appreciate Asian cuisine. You can find cookers that have separate hotplates for searing meat and grilling vegetables. You may also find that the model you pick has additional features, such as a multifunction oven with settings such as base heat only, fan assisted, and even rotisserie.
If you're looking to find a chic and contemporary design that doesn't take up a lot of space in your kitchen, look at a sleek stainless range cooker made of steel. They are available in a variety of eye-catching colours so you can match it to your kitchen worktops, cabinet doors and accessories. Some range cookers feature an integrated vent that helps eliminate cooking smells, resulting in a fresh and clean kitchen.
Built-in ovens
A built-in oven (also known as wall oven) is designed to be integrated into your kitchen cabinetry or wall, resulting in a seamless and customized appearance. They are usually installed at eye-level so you can see your dishes and avoid accidents.
A good quality built-in oven that is energy efficient will last 15 years or more. Their lifespan varies based on how frequently they are used and how they are maintained. It is recommended to talk with a professional technician for regular inspections and maintenance to ensure your oven is operating optimally.
As well as offering a modern, sleek aesthetic, built-in ovens come with a variety of cooking functions, ranging from convection to steam. These modern features will enhance your kitchen and make cooking easier and more practical.
Built-in ovens can be combined with an integrated hob to create the perfect kitchen setup for your home. StovesAreUs has a wide range of premium hobs that match your kitchen's style and layout, whether you are seeking an electric or gas hob.
A double integrated, or built-in dual, oven offers the flexibility you need in your kitchen. They can be set up on the eye level or under a counter and feature an entire multifunction or fan over a smaller, more economical conventional oven with grill element. A lot of double ovens have additional storage options like baking trays and roasting tins or catalytic lines that are able to absorb grease for easier cleaning.
A high-end, modern and fashionable built-in oven could bring value to your home and make it more appealing to potential buyers should you decide to sell in the near future. However the decision to invest in a new kitchen appliance ultimately depends on your personal preferences, budget and kitchen layout.
All-in-one cookers
All-in-one cookware is a great solution for those who wish to have one kitchen appliance that can perform all of the functions. Also known as multi-cookers these models can combine the functions of a slow cooker, rice cooker, pressure cooker air fryer, sous vide machine and even food processor in one neat and tidy package.
These are perfect for creating rich soups and risottos because they stir at the same time that they heat, helping to create the creamy texture. They can also be used to steam vegetables or fish. They are also excellent for making healthy yoghurts and smoothies. They aren't as efficient in browning meats as the pressure cooker.
The best all-in one cookers come with a variety of settings that allow you to tailor the cooking process to your particular ingredients and cooking method. This makes them a great option for those who want to cook more hands-off meals. The most basic models will usually include only basic features, however there are more expensive versions available that are packed full of extras.
All-in-one cookers are typically freestanding, which means they consume more space than an oven and a hob combined. The models have two large ovens, with a combined capacity of 60 litres. They also have four or six hob rings as well as plates.
A new generation of all in one cookers has taken over the market, bringing various additional functions. For example the Thermomix combines food processor and slow cooker functions into one. This German-made appliance can chop, cook, and make kneads and has a range of automated programs, such as heating sugar to make frostings and cooking sous vide as well as making emulsifiers of foods such as bearnaise sauce. It's a good investment, but at more than $1500, it's certainly not inexpensive.
The majority of people who purchase an all-in-one cooker prefer a gas model as it can reduce energy costs. This is because it cooks faster than electric models, which can be expensive to run. All types of pans will work with them, and many also come with an grid.
Induction hobs
Like the name suggests, induction hobs use electromagnetic induction to heat cookware and directly cook food. This reduces energy consumption and the amount of heat transferred to the cooking surface. They also have a sleek, modern design that works well with modern kitchens.
The technology comes with its own disadvantages. Induction hobs aren't as clean as gas models and require compatible cookware. The magnetic induction field also emits low-level electromagnetic radiation in the kilohertz spectrum that could be harmful to human health. ovens and hobs can be reduced by the minimum distance of 5-10 centimeters and by ensuring the right pan is used in an area that is active for cooking.
Different manufacturers offer different types of induction hobs with varying capacities. The simplest model comes with four rings that can be operated separately, and the power levels can be adjusted using an easy-to-use control system. Simply touch the mark representing the ring you want to operate and then either tap the + or - buttons or slide your finger along the corresponding power bar to select the required setting.
Many induction hobs feature an 'bridging' zone that allows you to join two or more rings together to create one larger cooking area - ideal if you have larger saucepans that can't be accommodated on individual rings. Certain induction hobs come with the "wok" setting that provides extra heating power for woks. Others offer the "free-standing" option that can be used to save space on a flat, smooth surface.
Some models feature an LCD display that shows the current power level of each ring, while others feature the option of a dial or rotary control that requires you to twist and push your fingers to adjust the settings. You can also choose from a variety of power outputs for each ring, and some hobs come with an auto-restart feature that will allow the appliance to return to the cooking mode after a short period of time.