Types of Ovens and Hobs
The type of cooker hob that you select can have a significant impact on the amount of energy you use. There are a variety of hobs to meet your needs and cooking preferences:
Plate hobs are four rings that appear like hot plates but contain an electric coil beneath. They heat up quickly and offer good heat distribution to flat-based pans.
Cookers for the range
A range cooker is a stand-alone oven and hob that usually includes multiple oven cavities as well as various burners, including often a grill. A popular alternative to built-in ovens and stoves They are available in a variety of sizes and sleek designs that suit many kitchen styles.
Typically available in gas or electric, the choice you make will be based on your cooking requirements and budget. Dual range cookers with fuel are preferred since they combine the best of two worlds: gas hobs that heat quickly and are easy to manage, as well as powerful electric ovens.
A lot of range cookers have an attractive storage drawer below the hob that's ideal for keeping baking trays and roasting dishes out of sight. This drawer is also an ideal place to store pots, pans and stoneware, allowing you to free up space in your kitchen cabinets. You can find cookers that come with an integrated sink, which will help you cook your food and will make cleaning a breeze.
Find a range cook with a self-cleaning pyrolytic oven to cater for large parties or dinner gatherings. This feature is extremely simple to use and uses high temperatures to break up leftover food residue. It then burns off on the surface to leave a light ash which can be easily cleaned off.
Some models include an integrated grill, which is great for adding a little extra crunch to oven-cooked meals. They can also be great for cooking snack foods that are quick like crumpets or cheese on toast.
Range cookers are often fitted with an impressive wok burner which is a major benefit for those who enjoy Asian inspired food. There are cookers with separate hotplates for searing meat or grilling vegetables. It is possible that the model you select has additional features, like a multifunction oven with settings such as base heat only, fan assisted, and even rotisserie.
If you're looking for a stylish and contemporary design that doesn't take up a lot of space in your kitchen, look for an elegant stainless steel range cooker. You can choose from a variety of colours to match your cabinet doors, worktops and other accessories. Certain range cookers come with a built-in vent that helps extract cooking odours to create a clean and fresh kitchen.
Built-in ovens
A built-in oven (also known as a wall oven) is designed to be integrated into your kitchen cabinetry or wall, resulting in a seamless and unique appearance. They are typically installed at eye-level so you can see your food preparation and avoid any accidents.
A good quality, energy efficient built-in oven will last 15 years or more. Their lifespan is contingent on how often they're used and how they are maintained. To ensure that your oven is running optimally, it's best to consult an expert technician to conduct routine inspections and maintenance.
Alongside providing a sleek, modern design, built-in ovens are available with a variety of cooking options, from convection to steam. These advanced features can elevate your kitchen to a higher level, making your cooking more efficient and practical.
Built-in ovens can be paired with a built-in hob to make the perfect kitchen setup for your home. StovesAreUs offers a variety of premium hobs that fit your kitchen's style and layout, no matter if you're seeking an electric or gas hob.
A double integrated or built-in dual oven offers a lot of flexibility in the kitchen. They can be installed at eye level or under counters, and have a large multi-function or fan oven beneath an economy conventional oven with a grill element. Many double ovens come with additional storage, such as baking trays and roasting tins or catalytic lines that are able to absorb grease for easier cleaning.
Having a high-quality, modern and stylish built-in oven can add significant value to your home and make it more attractive to potential buyers should you decide to sell it in the future. The decision to buy an appliance that is new for your kitchen ultimately comes down to personal preference budget, style, and layout.
All-in-one cookers
If you're looking for an appliance for your kitchen that can do it all you need, you should consider an all-in-one cooker. Also known as multi-cookers, these models can combine the functions of a slow cooker, rice cooker, pressure cooker sous vide equipment, and even a food processor into one neat and tidy package.
They are ideal for making rich soups and risottos since they stir in the same way that they heat, helping to create the creamy texture. They can also be used to steam fish or vegetables. They are also ideal for making healthy yoghurt and smoothies. However, they are not good for browning meats like a slow cooker or a pressure cooker.
The best all-in-one cookers come with a variety of settings that let you adapt the cooking process to your ingredients and cooking method. They are a great option for those who want to cook their meals without the need to be involved. The cheapest models are usually equipped with the most basic features however there are more expensive models that come with lots of extras.
All-in-one cookware is usually freestanding, meaning that they take up more room than an oven and a hob. They come with two huge ovens, with a combined capacity of 60 litres. They also have four or six hob rings as well as plates.
A new generation of all-in-one cookware has taken the market by storm, offering a wide range of additional features. For example, the Thermomix combines food processor and slow cooker functions into one. This German-made machine can chop, cook, and make kneading. It comes with a variety of automated programs, such as making frostings from sugar and cooking sous vide. It's a smart investment but at more than $1500, it's not cheap.
The majority of people who purchase an all-in-one cookware will opt for a gas version since it can reduce energy costs. This is because it is more efficient in heating than electric models which can be costly to run. Pans of all kinds will work with them, and many also have an griddle.
Induction hobs
Induction hobs, as their name suggests, use electromagnetic induction technology to heat cookware directly and cook food directly. This minimizes the transfer of energy to the cooking surface, which reduces energy consumption, and makes the appliances safe to touch without any residual heat. They also feature a sleek, modern design that is well-suited with contemporary kitchens.
The technology has its own drawbacks. Induction hobs are not as clean as gas ones and require cookware that is compatible. The magnetic induction field emits low-level electromagnetic radiation at frequencies within the kilohertz band that can be harmful to health. This amount can be reduced by placing the pot at the distance of between five and ten centimetres away from the cooking zone active.
There are several types of induction hobs offered by various manufacturers, with different capacities and features. The basic model comes with four rings that can be operated independently. The power levels can also be adjusted by using an easy control. To select the setting you want make sure you touch the mark that represents the ring you want to operate. You can then either tap the + or - buttons or move your finger across the corresponding "power bar".
Many induction hobs feature a bridging zone which allows you to join two or more rings to create a larger cooking area - ideal when you have larger pans that can't be accommodated on individual rings. Some have a 'wok' setting that gives an additional source of heat for woks. Other hobs have a 'free-standing' option that can be set on a smooth, flat worktop, which will save space.
Some models have digital displays that display the current power levels of each ring. Some models come with rotary controls or dials which require you to twist and push your fingers to adjust settings. You can also select from a variety of power outputs for each ring, and some hobs feature an auto-restart feature that will allow the appliance to return to the cooking mode after a short period of time.