How to Choose an Oven That Meets Your Cooking Needs

Over time, ovens have been continuously evolving in design and functionality. For instance, you can now find ovens that automatically clean their liner.

These lines warm the interior of the oven, which is beneficial in cleaning. Certain models come with the option of a timer that can be set independently of the cooking function.

History

Since the beginning of time, humans have utilized fire to keep warm and cook food. It wasn't until 1490 that a purpose-built oven was constructed in France, made of bricks and grills on which cauldrons made of metal could be attached.

The new oven was a step up over the open flames in a fireplace where cooking was conducted by using large metal pots which were hung over. However, it was still difficult to regulate the temperature. It would take a lot of time and improvement before a system was devised to bake bread or roasting meat that could be eaten without becoming blackened in the process.

Ovens continued to improve throughout the ages. In the 1800s, large brick hearths with a brick-oven were constructed, and metal cauldrons were hung above to cook. It took another two decades for the first practical coal-fired oven Best place to buy oven and hob be invented in 1833. Then came the invention of the first gas stoves with top burners and interior best ovens uk.

British inventor James Sharp patented the first semi-successful gas oven with hob in 1826 and by 1920, they were a standard kitchen appliance. It took about 60 years from that point before electric ovens came into the market, depending on the speed that electricity was introduced to households.

In the US they're called toaster ovens and in Britain they're referred to as a hob or cooker. However, the term "oven' is more generally used to describe any oven that cooks using an alternative source of heat than an open flame or metal cauldron. Today, there are a variety of different types of ovens and it is possible to locate one that does almost everything you want it to do from baking to grilling, baking, or steaming.

Whether you're looking for a double wall oven or a traditional wood fired Aga there's a wide range of options to satisfy all tastes and budgets. But, like the ovens of old they aren't impervious to breakage and may even fail at times which is the reason why we are here. We can assist you if you require repairs to your oven or replace a component. Give us a call, or contact us online.

Technology

Ovens come in a variety of different technologies. Many ovens are powered by fans. The fan distributes heat evenly across the oven cavity, in addition to the oven element. This is especially helpful when baking.

Certain ovens can be controlled remotely through an app. This is especially useful if you're busy or want to cook dinner before you arrive home from work.

There are also multicooking techniques available which allow you to cook with traditional microwave, steam and conventional the same oven. This will help you achieve professional results in a shorter amount of time, like perfect roast potatoes or a whole chicken*. It can even help you to reduce your energy use by as much as 50%. This technology is often called a "multicooker", but we believe that the term "gourmet" is a more accurate description!

Energy efficiency

Ovens are a crucial element in many UK kitchens. They are used for baking, roasting and even for making some of our most loved desserts. When it comes to choosing the right oven it is important to select one that is able to meet our requirements for cooking, while being energy efficient.

Due to the increase in electricity costs, it's more crucial than ever to think about the amount an oven will cost to operate. It's essential to look up the energy rating on each product's page. You should choose an oven with an energy rating of A+ or higher, since this will help keep your household costs down.

In addition to examining the energy rating You should also think about what additional features are available. If you're looking to save time cleaning your oven, for instance, select one with self-cleaning features. This means that the oven will heat to 400-500 degrees Celsius, and burn any food spills. This will save you from having to clean your oven on a regular basis.

Other functions worth checking for are the option of a child lock that prevents children from operating the appliance, and an hour minder that allows you to set a predetermined amount of time for cooking. Some ovens can be controlled remotely via a smartphone app.

According to Uswitch the cost of an electric oven is around 17p an hour. It's therefore important to select the right model for your home to reduce the cost of energy. Other appliances, like microwaves, air fryers, and slow cookers consume less energy than electric ovens.

You can also cut down on your energy use by ensuring that your oven is properly sealed. This can be done by installing a reflective insulation sheet behind the cooker hood that will reflect the heat back into the oven cavity. This will reduce your energy bills, as your oven won't need to perform as hard to maintain a constant temperature.

Options for cooking

Based on the frequency at which you cook hobs and ovens your favorite recipes the oven might include a variety of features that help you prepare food more efficiently. Some of these functions include bread proofing which creates an environment that is warm and controlled that encourages dough to rise. or lower heat settings to ensure consistency and a gentle cooking. Some models offer quick heat settings to get temperatures up to speed which is great for those who are in a rush.

Some ovens come with a defrost feature that uses low heat to slowly thaw frozen food without cooking it, saving you time and money. You can also use the Interior Light feature to observe what's cooking. The Reheat feature keeps hot foods at lower temperatures so they do not dry out or become overcooked.

It's no surprise that an oven is a very essential kitchen appliance. But if you want to get the most of it, acquainting yourself with its many functions will make it easier to achieve delicious results every time.

For example, if you're making a traditional roast using the Conventional setting is recommended to ensure that it is cooked well and crisped. If, however, you're planning to grill meat using the Grill mode, it is far more effective in producing juicy and flavoursome steaks.

Ovens usually come with a selection of built in accessories like racks, trays and a telescopic run for shelves. You can also find models with additional features, such as a warming drawer or compact steam oven that offers a healthier alternative to conventional baking, maximizing nutrients and eliminating unhealthy additives.

Stand-alone ovens on the other hand, usually have fewer built in features and are typically available in more limited capacity sizes. Generally, they're smaller than cookers, and have capacities from 30 to 40 litres, however some are larger. They are ideal for those with a small space or for those who don't need to do cooking on the hob often. There are also a range of cooking options, including pizza stone tray that produces crispy crusts, and a perforated tray that is ideal for steaming vegetables.