How to Choose an Oven That Meets Your Cooking Needs
Over time ovens have evolved in terms of design and function. Today, you can find ovens that self-clean their lines.
These lines make the oven's interior hotter and helps in cleaning. Certain models also come with an automatic timer that can be set independently of cooking functions.
History
Since the beginning of time, humans have used fire to stay warm and cook food. It wasn't until the year 1490 that a special oven was built in France, made of bricks and a grate on which metal cauldrons can be positioned.
The new oven was a step up over the open flames that were used in the fireplace, where cooking was done by using large metal pots which were hung over. However, it was still difficult to regulate the temperature. It took years of testing and improvements before a method was developed to bake bread or roast meat without it becoming black.
Ovens have continued to improve over time. In the 1800s, large brick hearths that had a brick oven were constructed, and metal cauldrons were placed above to cook. It took another two years before the first practical coal oven was invented in 1833. It was and then the first gas stoves equipped with top burners and interior ovens.
British inventor James Sharp patented the first semi-successful gas oven in 1826 and by 1920, they were a common kitchen appliance. Electric ovens appeared in the 60 years following depending on how quickly electricity was introduced to households.
In the US they're called toaster ovens and in Britain they are known as a hob, or a cooker. However, the term "oven' is more generally used for any oven that cooks using the use of a source other than an open flame or metal cauldron. Today there are hundreds of different types of ovens and you can find one that does nearly everything you'd like to bake to frying, grilling 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. They're not durable, and can break down at any time. That's where we come in. We can assist you if you require repairs to your oven or replace a piece. Contact us or email us.
Technology
There are a variety of oven technologies. Many ovens are powered by fans. The fan distributes hot air evenly around the oven cavity, as well as the oven element. This is particularly helpful when you are baking.
Certain ovens can be controlled remotely using an app. This is especially useful if you're busy or want to have dinner ready when you get home from work.
There are also multicooking techniques available which allow you to cook using traditional, microwave and steam in the same oven. This can help you achieve professional results in a shorter time, such as the perfect roast potatoes or a whole chicken*. You can reduce your energy use by as much as 50%. This kind of technology is usually described as a multicooker' but we think the term 'gourmet oven' is a better term!
Energy efficiency
Ovens are a staple of most UK kitchens and are used on a daily basis for roasting, baking, and even making some our most loved desserts. When it comes to choosing a new oven it is essential to select one that is able to meet our requirements for cooking, while being energy efficient.
Due to the increasing price of electricity, it's more important than ever that you think about the cost your oven will cost you to run. It's a great idea to look at the energy efficiency rating which is listed on each product page. You want an oven with an energy rating of A+ or higher, which will help keep your household costs down.
As well as examining the energy efficiency, you should also consider what other features are available. If you're looking to save time cleaning your oven, for instance, select an oven that comes with self-cleaning capabilities. This means that the oven will heat up to 400-500 degrees Celsius, and burn any food spillages. This will save you from having to clean your oven frequently.
Other functions worth checking out for are a child lock, which will stop children from operating the oven, and the minute minder feature, which allows you to set a certain amount of time for your cooking. Some ovens can be controlled remotely with an app on your smartphone.
According to Uswitch the cost of an electric oven is around 17p an hour. It is therefore essential to select the right oven for your home to reduce the cost of energy. Other appliances, such as slow cookers, air fryers and microwaves also consume significantly less energy than an oven.
Another method to cut down on energy usage when it comes to cooking is to ensure that your oven is properly insulated. This can be done by putting a reflective insulation sheet behind the cooker hood, which will help to reflect the heat back into the oven cavity. This will help to reduce your energy consumption, since it will mean that your oven isn't having to work as hard to maintain the same temperature.
Options for cooking
Depending on the frequency you cook and what recipes you like Your oven could come with a range of specialist functions that you prepare food. Some of these functions include bread proofing which creates an environment warm and controlled that encourages dough to rise. Or lower heat settings that ensure consistency and a gentle cooking. Some of them also have rapid heat settings to heat up faster which is ideal for those needing to rush.
Certain ovens come with the ability to defrost using low temperatures to slowly thaw frozen food items without cooking them, thereby saving time and money. Other options like the Interior Light function let you see your food as it bakes, and the Reheat mode keeps hot food at the lower temperature to prevent drying out or overcooking.
It's no surprise that an oven is an essential kitchen appliance. If you want to make the most of your oven, you should familiarise yourself with the various functions of it.
For instance, if you're cooking a traditional roast, using the Conventional setting is recommended to ensure that it comes out well cooked and crisped. If Best place to buy oven and hob to grill meat in the Grill mode, it will produce juicy and flavoursome steaks.
Ovens come with a variety of accessories that are built-in like racks and tray. They also have telescopic runners for shelves. There are ovens that come with additional features like a warming drawer or small steam ovens that offer an alternative to traditional baking, maximizing the nutrients and removing harmful additives.
Stand-alone models, on the contrary are smaller and come with less features. They also come in smaller capacities. They're generally smaller than cookers and can be able to hold 30 to 40 litres, however, some are larger. They may be more for homes with a limited amount of space, or that don't require a lot of hob cooking. Some have several cooking options, such as pizza stones that produce a crisp crust and a perforated plate for steaming vegetables.