Types of Ovens and Hobs
The type of hob you select can have a significant effect on the amount of energy you consume. There are a range of types to suit your cooking preferences and requirements:
Plate hobs are four rings that appear like hot plates but contain an electric coil under. They are hot and warm quickly, and they provide good heat distribution to flat-based pans.
Range cookers
A range cooker is a self-standing oven and hob that typically has multiple oven cavities and a selection of burners including typically grills. A popular alternative to stoves and ovens that are built-in They are available in various sizes and sleek designs that fit various kitchen styles.
The type of range cooker that you select will be based on your budget and your cooking preferences. Generally, dual fuel range cookers are the most popular since they provide the best of both worlds: gas hobs that heat quickly and are simple to control as well as powerful electric ovens with more functions and settings.
Many range cookers come with an storage drawer beneath the hob. This is perfect to store baking trays or roasting dishes away from view. The drawer is also an ideal place to store pots, pans and stoneware so you can free up space in your cupboards. There are also cookers with an integral sink to assist you in juggling food preparation while cooking, and make cleaning up easy.
If you're catering for an audience or host dinner parties, look for a range cooker equipped with a self-cleaning pyrolytic oven. This feature is extremely simple to use and makes use of high temperatures to break up leftover food residue. The residue is then burned off at the surface, leaving a light Ash.
Some models come with a handy integrated grill, which is great for spicing up oven cooked meals and adding that extra crunch. They can also be useful to fry up quick snacks such as cheese on toast or crumpets.
The majority of range cookers come with a powerful wok burner, which can be a major benefit to those who appreciate Asian inspired cuisine. There are cookers that have separate hotplates to cook meat or cooking vegetables. Depending on the model you pick it could also come with additional features such as an oven that is programmable with multi-function settings including base heat only, fan assisted and even the rotisserie setting.
Choose a stainless steel range cooker if you're looking for an elegant, modern look in your kitchen that doesn't take up much space. You can pick from a variety of colors to match your cabinet doors, worktops and accessories. Certain range cookers come with an integrated vent to help eliminate cooking smells, resulting in an airy and clean kitchen.
Built-in ovens
A built-in oven (also called wall oven) is designed to fit into your kitchen cabinetry or a wall, creating a seamless and unique appearance. They are usually placed at eye level, so you can be sure to watch your food preparation and avoid burns and other incidents.
A high-end, energy-efficient built-in oven can last for 15 years or more. However, their life span can vary greatly based on how much use they receive and the frequency of maintenance and care. To ensure that your oven operates as efficiently as possible, it's best to consult a professional technician to perform routine inspections and maintenance.
Alongside providing a sleek, modern design, built-in ovens are available with a range of cooking functions, ranging from convection to steam. These modern features can take your kitchen to a higher level, making your cooking more efficient and convenient.
Built-in ovens can be combined with an integrated hob to make the perfect kitchen setup for your home. StovesAreUs stocks a wide selection of premium hobs that will suit your kitchen design and layout, regardless of whether you're seeking an electric or gas hob.
A double integrated oven, also known as a built-in dual cooker, provides a wide range of options for your kitchen. They can be fitted at eye level or beneath a counter, and they have a large multi-function or fan oven beneath an economy conventional oven with a grill element. Many double ovens include extra storage such as roasting tins and baking trays or catalytic lines which absorb grease for easier cleaning.
A modern, high-end and fashionable built-in oven can add significant value to your home and make it more appealing for potential buyers should you decide to sell in the near future. The decision to purchase an appliance for your kitchen is ultimately down to personal taste budget, as well as the kitchen layout.
All-in-one cookers
If you are looking for a kitchen appliance that does everything you need, you should consider an all-in-one cookware. Multi-cookers are also called multi-cookers. They combine the functions of a rice cooker slow cooker, air fryer, pressure cooker and sous vide machine into one compact unit.
They are perfect for making rich soups and risottos since they stir as they heat up to help create that creamy texture. They can also steam veggies or fish, and are great for making healthy smoothies and yogurt. But, they're not good for browning meats like slow cookers or pressure cooker.
The top all-in-one cookers offer a variety of settings which permit you to modify the cooking process based on your ingredients and method. This makes them a good option for those who prefer to cook with less hands. The cheapest models typically include only basic features, however there are more expensive versions available with a variety of additional features.
All-in-one cookers are typically freestanding appliances, which means they take up more space than an oven and a hob put together. They come with two ovens that have a capacity of 60 litres. They also have four or six plates or hob rings, depending on the model.
A new generation of all-in one cookers has dominated the market, providing a variety of additional functionality. Thermomix for instance, incorporates the functions of a food processor and a slow cooker into a single device. This German-made appliance is able to chop, cook and make kneads and has a range of programs that are automated, such as heating sugar to make frostings, cooking sous vide and emulsifying foods like bearnaise sauce. It's a great investment however, at more than $1,500, it's not cheap.
Gas is the most popular option for those who are buying an all-in one cooker. It can help them save money on their energy bills. This is due to the fact that it cooks faster than electric models that can be expensive to run. All kinds of pans work with them, and many also have the option of a grill.
Hobs with induction
Induction hobs, as the name suggests, make use of electromagnetic induction technology to heat cookware directly and cook food. This reduces energy consumption and the amount of heat transferred to the cooking surface. They also have a sleek and modern design that is well suited to contemporary kitchens.
However, the technology is not without its drawbacks. Induction hobs require compatible cookware and are more difficult to clean than gas models. The magnetic field that is induction emits low-level electromagnetic waves in the kilohertz frequency band, which can be harmful to health. This amount can be reduced by a minimum distance of 5-10 centimeters and by ensuring that only the proper pan is placed in an area that is active for cooking.
Different manufacturers offer different types of induction hobs with varying capacities. The most basic model offers four separate rings that can be operated individually, and the power levels can be adjusted using an easy control system. Simply touch the mark representing the ring you want to operate, then tap the + or - buttons, or move your finger across the "power bar" to select the required setting.
best ovens and hobs have a bridging area that allows you to connect two or more rings to create an even larger cooking surface. This is a great solution when your larger pans aren't able to fit onto individual rings. Some have a "wok" setting that offers an additional source of heat for woks, and others offer a free-standing option that can be set on a flat, smooth worktop, which will save space.
Some models have a digital display which shows the current power level of each ring, while others have the option of a dial or rotary control which requires you to twist and push your fingers to adjust the settings. You can also pick from a range of power outputs for each ring, and some hobs come with an auto-restart function which will allow the appliance to return to the cooking mode after a brief time.