Types of Ovens and Hobs
The type of hob you select will have a major impact on the amount of energy that you consume. There are a variety of types to suit your cooking preferences and needs:
Plate hobs come with four different appearance rings that function as hot plates that have an electric coil under. They are quick to heat up and offer good heat distribution for flat-based pans.
Range cookers
A range cooker is a self-standing oven and a hob that usually comes with multiple oven cavities and a selection of burners including often a grill. A popular alternative to built-in ovens and stoves They come in different sizes and stylish designs that match various kitchen designs.
The kind of range cooker you pick will depend on your budget and the cooking requirements. Dual fuel range cookers are preferred since they bring the best of both worlds: gas stoves which are quick to heat up and are easy to manage, as well as powerful electric ovens.
Many range cookers also feature an attractive storage drawer below the hob, which is ideal to keep baking trays and roasting dishes away from view. This drawer can also be used to store pots, stoneware and pans so that you can save space in your cabinets. You can also find cookers with an integral sink to help you juggle food preparation whilst cooking and help you clean up.
If you're catering for an audience or host dinner parties, you should look for a range cooker equipped with a pyrolytic self-cleaning oven. This is a wonderful feature that's easy to use and makes use of high temperatures to break down leftover food debris. It then burns off on the surface, leaving a light ash that is easily cleaned off.
Some models have an integrated grill, which is great to add a little crunch to oven-cooked meals. They can also be great for frying up quick snacks like cheese on toast or crumpets.
The majority of range cookers come with an impressive wok burner which can be a huge benefit for those who enjoy Asian inspired cuisine. There are ovensandhobs that have separate hotplates for searing meat and cooking vegetables. Depending on the model you pick it could also come with additional features, such as an oven that can be programmed with multiple settings, including base heating only or fan assisted, and even Rotisserie settings.
Look for a stainless steel range cooker if you're looking for modern, stylish design in your kitchen that doesn't take up a lot of space. You can pick from a variety of colours to match the cabinet doors, countertops and other kitchen accessories. Certain range cookers come with an integrated vent that can help extract cooking odours to create a clean and fresh kitchen.
Built-in ovens
A built-in oven (also called a wall oven) is designed to fit into your kitchen cabinetry or wall, resulting in a seamless and unique appearance. They are typically installed at eye-level, so that you can easily see your food and avoid accidents.
A high-quality, energy efficient built-in oven can last up to 15 years or more. However, their life span can vary greatly depending on how much use they receive and the frequency of maintenance and care. To ensure that your oven is running efficiently, it's best to consult a professional technician to perform routine inspections and maintenance.
In addition to offering a modern, sleek appearance, built-in ovens can be found with a variety of cooking options, from convection to steam. These advanced features can take your kitchen to a new level, making your cooking more efficient and convenient.
Built-in ovens and integrated stoves can be combined to create the perfect kitchen layout for your home. StovesAreUs has a wide range of premium hobs that suit your kitchen design and layout, regardless of whether you are looking for an electric or gas hob.
A double integrated or built-in dual oven can provide many options in your kitchen. They can be placed on the eye level or under the counter, and come with the full-size multifunction or fan over a smaller economy traditional oven, with grill elements. Many double ovens come with additional storage, such as baking trays, roasting tins or catalytic lines which help to absorb grease, making it easier to clean.
Having a high-quality, modern and stylish built-in oven can add significant value to your home and make it more attractive to prospective buyers should you decide to sell in the near future. However the decision to buy the latest kitchen appliance comes down to your personal preferences and budget as well as the kitchen layout.
All-in-one cookers
If you are looking for a kitchen appliance that does everything, then look no further than an all-in-one cooker. Also known as multi-cookers, these models can combine the functions of a slow cooker, rice cooker, pressure cooker, air fryer, sous vide machine and even food processor in one neat and tidy package.
They are ideal for making rich soups and risottos as they stir while heating up to create the creamy texture. They can also be used to steam fish or vegetables. They are also excellent for making healthy yoghurt and smoothies. They aren't as efficient at browning meats as the pressure cooker.
The top all-in-one cookers offer a variety of settings which allow you to alter the cooking process according to the ingredients you use and the method you prefer. This makes them a good choice for anyone who likes to cook with less hands. The cheapest models typically have only basic features but there are more expensive versions available with a variety of extras.
All-in-one cookware is usually freestanding, meaning that they require more space than an oven and a stove. They have two big ovens that have a combined capacity of 60 litres. They also come with four or six hob rings as well as plates.
A new generation of all-in-one cookers has gained popularity with a range of additional functions. Thermomix for instance, combines the functions of a food processor and a slow cooker into one. This German-made appliance is able to chop, cook, and make kneads and has a range of automated programs, such as heating sugar to make frostings as well as cooking sous vide and making emulsifiers of foods such as bearnaise sauce. It's a good investment, however, at a price of more than $1500 it's not cheap.
Gas is the most well-known option for people who want to buy an all-in-one cooker. It can help them save money on their energy costs. It heats up faster than electric models, which can be expensive to operate. All types of pans will work with them and many also come with the option of a grid.
Induction hobs
Induction hobs, as their name suggests, make use of electromagnetic induction technology to heat cookware directly and cook food. This reduces the transfer of energy to the cooking surface, thus reducing the energy consumed, and making the appliances safe to handle without retaining heat. They also have a sleek and modern design that blends well with contemporary kitchens.
The technology has its own disadvantages. Induction hobs need compatible cookware and are more difficult to clean than gas models. The magnetic induction field emits low-level electromagnetic waves within the kilohertz frequency range, which can be harmful to health. This radiation level can be decreased by an absolute distance of five to ten centimetres and by ensuring the proper pan is placed on an active cooking zone.
Different manufacturers offer various types of induction hobs, each with different capacities. The basic model has four rings that can operate independently. The power levels can also be adjusted with a simple control. Simply touch the mark representing the ring you'd like to operate, and then tap the + or - buttons, or move your finger along the 'power bar' to select the desired setting.
A majority of induction cooktops come with the bridging zone, which allows you to join two or more rings to create one larger cooking area. This is ideal for larger pots that can't be accommodated on individual rings. Some induction hobs feature the "wok" setting that provides extra heating power for woks. Other models have an "free-standing" option that can be used to conserve space on an even, flat surface.
Some models feature an LCD display that shows the current power level of each ring while others have a dial or rotary control that requires you to twist and move your fingers to alter the settings. You can choose between a range of power outputs for each ring. Some hobs also come with an automatic restart feature that will return the appliance to its original cooking mode.