How to Choose an Oven That Meets Your Cooking Needs

Over the years ovens have been improved in terms of design and performance. You can now find ovens that self-clean their lines.

These lines heat up the interior of the oven, which is useful in cleaning. Certain models come with an automatic timer that can be set independently of the cooking function.

History

Since the beginning of time, humans have used fire as a way to stay warm and cook food. But it wasn't until 1490 when the first known oven constructed specifically for cooking was discovered, hobs built in France using bricks and with a a grate that could be used to place cauldrons made of steel. be positioned.

The new oven was a step up over the open flames that were used in a fireplace, where cooking was done with large metal pots that were hung over. However, it was still difficult to control the temperature. It took years of testing and improvements before a method could be developed to bake bread or roast meat without becoming black.

Ovens have been improving over time. In the 1800s, large brick hearths that had a brick oven were constructed, and metal cauldrons were hung above to heat. But it was another two decades before the first practical coal oven was invented in 1833, followed by the first gas stoves that had top burners and ovens with interiors.

British inventor James Sharp patented the first semi-successful gas oven in 1826 and by 1920 they were a common kitchen appliance. Electric ovens came out around 60 years later depending on how quickly electricity was introduced into households.

In the US, they're known as toaster-ovens and in Britain they're called best hobs. However, the term "oven" is used to describe any kind of oven that utilizes any heat source other than an open fire or a cauldron made of metal. Today there are hundreds of different types of ovens and you can locate one that does just about anything you'd like to cook from baking to grilling, baking, or hobs steaming.

If you're looking for a double wall oven or a traditional wood-fired Aga there's a broad range of options to satisfy any budget and style. However, just like ovens of the past, they're not indestructible and they can break down from time to time and that's the reason why we are here. We can help you if you need to fix your oven or replace a part. Call us or email us.

Technology

There are a variety of oven technologies. For example, many are what is known as fan assisted. This is because, as well as the oven element heating up the food, there's a fan that circulates the hot air in the oven to ensure that all the food cooks evenly. This is especially helpful when baking.

Certain ovens can be controlled remotely via an app. This is especially useful when you're busy or if you want your dinner ready when you arrive from work.

Multicooking technology is also available, which allows you to cook with traditional microwave, steam or even microwave within the same appliance. You can achieve professional results quicker, such as perfectly cooked potatoes or a whole chicken*. It could even allow you to reduce your energy consumption by up to 50%. This type of technology is often referred to as a "multicooker", but we think that the term "gourmet" is a more accurate description!

Energy efficiency

Ovens are a vital part of many UK kitchens. They are used for baking, roasting and even for making some of our favourite desserts. When it comes to selecting the right oven it is important to select one that will meet our cooking needs while also being energy efficient.

Due to the increase in electricity prices, it's now more important than ever to think about how much an oven will cost to run. It's essential to look up the energy rating on each oven with hob's page. It is ideal to have an oven with an A+ or better energy rating which will help to reduce your household expenses.

While you're looking at the energy rating it is also important to consider what additional features are available. For instance, if you're trying to cut down on time spent cleaning the oven, you should look for a model with self-cleaning capabilities. This means the oven will get to temperatures of 400-500 degrees Celsius and then burn off food spills and will eliminate the need to clean your oven regularly.

Other features worth looking for are a child lock, which will stop children from operating the appliance and the minute minder feature, which lets you set a specific duration for cooking. Some ovens are also smart which lets you connect to a smartphone app and manage it remotely, if desired.

According to Uswitch the cost of an electric oven is approximately 17p per hour. It's therefore crucial to choose the correct model for your home in order to cut down on your energy costs. Other appliances like air fryers, slow cookers and microwaves use less energy than an oven.

Another method to reduce your energy consumption when cooking is to make sure that your oven is and properly insulated. Install a reflective hood over the cooker's hood to reflect heat back into the cavity. This will lower your energy consumption, since it means that your oven isn't having to work so hard to maintain the same temperature.

Cooking options

Based on the frequency at you cook and your favorite recipes Your oven could have a variety of special functions that help you prepare food more efficiently. Some of these settings include bread proofing that creates a warm, controlled environment that allows dough to rise. or lower heat settings to ensure uniformity and gentle cooking. Some also offer rapid heat settings that allow you to achieve temperatures quicker which is ideal for those needing to rush.

Some ovens have a defrost function that uses low temperatures to slowly thaw frozen foods without cooking them, saving time and money. You can also utilize the Interior Light feature to check on what's cooking. The Reheat function keeps hot dishes at lower temperatures so they do not dry out or become overcooked.

It's evident that an oven is a very important kitchen appliance. However, if you want to get the most out of it, familiarising yourself with its various functions can assist you in achieving delicious results every time.

For instance, if you're making a traditional roast using the Conventional setting is recommended to ensure that the roast comes out well cooked and crisped. If you're planning to grill meat, the Grill mode will yield juicy and flavorful steaks.

Ovens usually come with a selection of built-in appliances like racks, trays and a telescopic run for shelves. There are ovens that come with additional features like warming drawers or a small steam ovens that provide a healthier alternative to conventional baking, maximising nutrients and eliminating unhealthy additives.

Stand-alone models, on contrary, are smaller and have fewer features. They also come with smaller capacities. They are smaller than cookers. Their capacities range from 30 to forty litres. Some models come with larger capacities. They may be more suitable for homes with a smaller amount of space, or that don't require a lot of cooking hobs oven (go here). Some have multiple cooking options, including pizza stones that produce crisp crusts, as well as an insulated plate for steaming vegetables.