How to Choose an Oven That Meets Your Cooking Needs
Over time, ovens have improved in terms of design and functionality. Today, you can find ovens with self-cleaning oven lines.
These lines warm the interior of the oven, which is helpful to clean. Certain models come with an automatic timer that can be set independent of the cooking function.
History
Since the beginning of the time, people have relied on fire as a way to keep warm and cook food. It wasn't until 1490 that an oven specifically designed for cooking was built in France constructed of bricks, with grills on which metal cauldrons can be positioned.
This new oven was an enormous improvement on the open flames of a fireplace where cooking was typically done in large metal pots and hung above, but it was still tricky to control the temperature. It took years of experimentation and improvement before a system was created to efficiently bake bread or roasting meat that could be eaten without becoming blackened during the process.
Ovens have continued to improve over the centuries. In the 1800s, large brick hearths were constructed with an oven built of brick, with a fire pit was set within, with cauldrons made of metal that were hung over the fire to heat it. It took another two decades for the first practical coal-fired ovens to be created in 1833. This was followed by the development of the first gas stoves which had top burners and ovens inside.
British inventor James Sharp patented the first semi-successful gas oven in 1826 and by 1920, they had become a staple kitchen appliance. It took 60 years from that point before electric ovens were introduced in accordance with the speed of the introduction of electricity to households.
In the US they're referred to as toaster ovens. In Britain they're referred to as a hob. However, the term "oven" is used to describe any kind of oven that utilizes any heat source other than an open flame or a cauldron made of metal. There are hundreds of types of ovens on the market today. You will find one that can handle everything you need from grilling to baking to steaming.
There are plenty of options to meet all tastes and budgets, whether you're interested in an wood-fired Aga or double walled oven. They are not indestructible and may break down at any point. That's where we come in. If you need an oven repair or replacement part, give us call or contact us via email and we'll help you out.
Technology
There are a variety of oven technology available. Many ovens are powered by fans. This is because as well as the oven component cooking the food, there's an air-flow fan that distributes the hot air around the oven's cavity to ensure the food is cooked evenly. This is particularly helpful baking.
Additionally, certain ovens are smart, which means that they can be controlled remotely via an app. This is particularly handy in times of stress or want your dinner to be ready when you return from work.
There are also multicooking technologies that allow you to cook with traditional microwave, steam and traditional the same oven. You can make professional-looking results quicker, such as perfectly roasted potatoes or a whole chicken*. You can reduce your energy use by as much as 50%. This type of technology is usually referred to as a 'multicooker however we believe the term "gourmet oven" is a better description!
Energy efficiency
Ovens are an essential part of many UK kitchens. They are used for roasting, baking and even to make some of our favourite desserts. When it comes to choosing a new oven it's important to select one that will meet all our cooking needs whilst being energy efficient too.
Owing to the rise in the cost of electricity, it's more important than ever to think about the amount an oven will cost to operate. This is why it's a good idea to take a look at the energy efficiency rating which is listed on each product page. Ideally, you want an oven with an A+ or better energy rating that will help you reduce your household expenses.
You should also look at the additional features available. If you want to save time cleaning the oven for instance, you should choose an oven that comes with self-cleaning features. This means that the oven can get to temperatures of 400-500 degrees Celsius and then burn off food spills which will help you avoid the need to clean your oven regularly.
Other functions worth checking for are a child lock, which will stop children from operating the appliance, and a minute minder, which lets you set a specific duration to cook. Some ovens can be controlled remotely via an app on your smartphone.
According to Uswitch an electric oven costs approximately 17p per hour. It's therefore important to select the right oven for your home, so that you can cut your energy costs. Other appliances, like air fryers, microwaves, and slow cookers use less energy than electric ovens.
Another way to cut down on energy usage when cooking is to make sure that your oven is protected. Install a reflective hood over your cooker's hood, which will reflect heat back into the cavity. This will reduce the cost of energy, since your oven won't need to perform as hard to maintain a constant temperature.
Options for cooking
Depending on the frequency with the frequency you cook, as well as your favorite recipes, your oven may have a variety of special functions that make food preparation easier. These could include bread proofing settings that provide the perfect temperature and control to help dough rise, or bottom heating settings to ensure gentle cooking and consistency. Some models have rapid heat settings to get temperatures up to speed, which is ideal for those in a rush.
ovens and hobs come with a defrost feature that uses low temperatures to slowly melt frozen food without cooking it, thus saving time and money. Other options such as the Interior Light function lets you see your food as it bakes and the Reheat function keeps hot dishes at lower temperatures to avoid drying out or overcooking.
When you consider how many different kinds of food items you can make using an oven, it's evident that it's an essential kitchen appliance that is essential to any home. However, if you want to make the most of it, acquainting yourself with its various functions can assist you in achieving delicious results every time.
If you're making a traditional roast it is advised to use the Conventional setting to ensure that it comes out crisp and well-cooked. If, however, you're planning to grill meat using the Grill mode, it is much more effective at making juicy and delicious steaks.
Ovens usually include a variety of built in accessories like racks, trays, and a Telescopic run for shelves. There are ovens with additional features, such as warming drawers or a small steam ovens that offer a healthy alternative to conventional baking, maximizing the nutrients and removing harmful additives.
Stand-alone models, on contrary, are smaller and have less features. They also come with smaller sizes. They are smaller than cookers. Their capacities vary from 30 to forty litres. Some models have larger capacities. They're 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, such as pizza stone which creates crisp crusts and a perforated tray for steaming vegetables.