How to Choose an Oven That Meets Your Cooking Needs
Over the years ovens have been improved in terms of design and functionality. For instance, you can now find ovens that self-clean their liner.
These lines warm the interior of the oven, which is useful to clean. Some models have an automatic timer that can be set independent of the cooking function.
History
As long as human beings have been around we have utilized fire to keep warm and to cook food. best hob wasn't until the year 1490 that a special oven was constructed in France built of bricks and grills on which metal cauldrons can be placed.
The new oven was a step up over the open flames in a fireplace in which cooking was performed with large metal pots that were hung over. However it was still difficult to control the temperature. It took many years of research and improvement before a method was developed to bake bread or roast meat without turning black.
Ovens have been improving over the centuries. In the 1800s, large brick hearths with a brick oven were built, and iron cauldrons were used to cook. It took another two decades to get the first practical coal-fired ovens to be created in 1833. This was followed by the development of the first gas stoves that had top burners as well as interior ovens.
British inventor James Sharp patented the first gas oven in 1826, which was a semi-successful one, and by 1920 they were a standard kitchen appliance. Electric ovens came out around 60 years later depending on the speed at which electricity was incorporated into homes.
In the US they're known as toaster ovens, and in Britain they are known as a hob or cooker. However, the term "oven is more often used for any oven that cooks with an alternative source of heat than an open flame or metal cauldron. Today, there are a variety of oven types and it is possible to find one that does nearly everything you'd like to cook from baking to grilling, baking, or steaming.
If you're looking for a double wall oven or a traditional wood fired Aga there is a wide selection available to meet all tastes and budgets. However, just like the ovens of old they aren't indestructible and they can fail from time to time - which is where we come in. If you need an oven repair or a replacement part, give us a call or get in touch online and we'll be able to assist you.
Technology
Ovens come in a variety of different technologies. Many ovens are fan assisted. This is because as well as the oven component heating up the food, there is a fan which distributes the hot air in the oven to ensure that the food is cooked evenly. This is especially helpful when you're baking.
Additionally some ovens are smart that means they can be controlled remotely via an app. This is especially useful when you're busy or want your dinner to be ready when you get in from work.
Multicooking technology is also accessible that allows you to cook using traditional microwave or steam in the same appliance. You can achieve professional results quicker, such as perfectly roasted potatoes or even a whole chicken*. It can also help you to reduce your energy consumption by as much as 50%. This kind of technology is usually described as a multicooker however we believe the term 'gourmet oven' is more appropriate!
Energy efficiency
Ovens are an essential part of the majority of UK kitchens and are utilized on a regular basis for baking, roasting, and even making some our favourite desserts. When it comes to selecting an oven that is new, it's important to choose one that meets our cooking needs while also being energy-efficient.
Due to the increasing cost of electricity, it's more important than ever before that you consider how much your oven will cost to run. It's a great idea to take a look at the energy efficiency rating, which can be found on the product's page. You want an oven that has an energy rating of A+ or higher, which will help you lower your monthly expenses.
As well as examining the energy rating, you should also consider what other features are available. If you're looking to save time cleaning your oven, for instance, you should choose an oven that comes with self-cleaning features. This means that the oven can heat up to 400-500 degrees Celsius and then burn any food spillages. This will save you from having to clean your oven regularly.
Other functions worth checking for are a child lock, which prevents children from operating the oven, and an hour minder that lets you set a specific time limit for your cooking. Some ovens also have smart technology that let you connect to an app on your smartphone and manage it remotely, in the event that you want to.
According to Uswitch the cost of an electric oven is approximately 17p per 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 use less energy than electric ovens.
Another way to cut down on energy use when cooking is to make sure that your oven is insulated. This can be done by fitting an insulation sheet that is reflective behind your cooker hood, which will help to reflect the heat back into the oven cavity. This will lower the cost of energy, since your oven won't need to perform as hard to keep the same temperature.
Options for cooking
Based on the frequency which you cook and your favorite recipes the oven might include a variety of features that will make food preparation simpler. These could include bread proofing settings that offer a warm and controlled environment to help dough rise, or bottom heating settings to ensure gentle cooking and even consistency. Some also provide rapid heat modes to heat up faster which is ideal for those needing to rush.
Some ovens have an option to defrost that makes use of low temperatures to slowly melt frozen foods without cooking them, which saves time and money. Other options like the Interior Light function lets you see your food as baking and the Reheat mode keeps hot dishes at a lower temperature to avoid drying out or overcooking.
It's no surprise that an oven is a very important kitchen appliance. If you want to make the most of it, becoming familiar with its many functions will make it easier to achieve delicious results every time.
For example, if you're cooking a traditional roast, using the Conventional setting is recommended to ensure it is cooked to perfection and crisped. If, however, you're planning to grill your meat by using the Grill mode is more effective in creating juicy and tasty steaks.
Ovens are equipped with a range of accessories built in like racks and trays. They also come with telescopic runs for shelves. There are also models that come with additional features like a warming drawer or small steam ovens that provide a healthy alternative to conventional baking, maximising nutrients and eliminating unhealthy additives.
Stand-alone models, on contrary are smaller and have less features. They also come in smaller sizes. Generally, they're smaller than cookers, and be able to hold 30-40 litres, however some are larger. They're ideally for homes with a smaller amount of space or those who don't make use of cooking on the hob. There are some that have several cooking options, such as pizza stones that make crisp crusts and a perforated plate to steam vegetables.