Types of Ovens and Hobs
The kind of hob you pick will have a major impact on the amount of energy you consume. There are a range of kinds to fit your cooking preferences and needs:
Plate hobs are four rings that look like hot plates but contain an electric coil under. They heat quickly and provide a good heat distribution to flat-based pans.
Range cookers
A range cooker is a freestanding oven and hob that typically comes with multiple oven cavities and a selection of burners including typically a grill. A popular alternative to stoves and ovens that are built-in, they come in different sizes and stylish designs that match different kitchen designs.
The type of range cooker that you select will be based on your budget and the cooking requirements. Generally dual fuel range cookers are preferred since they provide the best of both worlds - gas hobs that heat quickly and are simple to control, as well as efficient electric ovens that have more functions and settings.
A lot of range cookers have an attractive storage drawer below the hob, which is ideal to keep baking dishes and roasting trays out of sight. This drawer can also be a great place to store pots, pans and stoneware, allowing you to free up space in your kitchen cabinets. You can also find cookers with an integral sink that will help you manage food preparation while cooking and help you clean up.
If you're catering for an audience or host dinner parties, check out for a range cooker with a pyrolytic self-cleaning oven. This is a wonderful feature that's easy to use and utilizes high temperatures to break down leftover food debris. The residue is then burned off on the surface, leaving a light dust.
Some models come with a handy integrated grill that's perfect for spicing up oven cooked meals and giving them the extra crunch. They are also great for making quick snacks like crumpets and cheese on toast.
Range cookers are often fitted with an efficient 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. You may also find that the model you pick includes additional features, such as a multi-function oven that has settings such as base heat only, fan assisted and even rotisserie.
Look for a stainless steel range cooker if you're looking for an elegant, modern look in your kitchen that won't take up a lot of space. You can choose from a variety of colours to match the cabinet doors, countertops and other accessories. Some range cookers also have 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 wall oven) is designed to fit into the kitchen cabinetry or wall, resulting in a seamless and unique look. They are usually placed at eye-level so that you can easily see your food and avoid accidents.
A good quality built-in oven that is energy efficient can last up to 15 years or more. However, their lifespan can vary greatly based on how much usage they are subjected to and the frequency of maintenance and care. It is recommended to speak with a professional technician for routine inspections and maintenance to ensure your oven is running as efficiently as possible.
Alongside offering a sleek, modern appearance, built-in ovens can be found in a wide variety of cooking options, from steam to convection. These modern features will enhance your kitchen and make cooking simpler and more efficient.
Built-in ovens and integrated stoves can be combined to create the ideal kitchen layout for your home. If you're in search of electric or gas-powered hobs StovesAreUs provides a broad selection of top-quality hobs that will fit your kitchen's layout and style.
A double integrated, or built-in dual, oven can provide many options in your kitchen. They can be installed in a counter-top or eye level a counter, and they have a large multi-function or fan oven below an economy conventional oven with a grill element. A lot of double ovens have extra storage such as baking trays and roasting tins or catalytic lines that absorb grease for easier cleaning.
A stylish, high-end and modern built-in stove can bring value to a home and make it more attractive prospective buyers should you decide to sell. However, the decision to invest in the latest kitchen appliance depends on your personal preferences and budget, as well as the layout of your kitchen.
All-in-one cookers
All-in-one cookware is a great solution for those who want to have one kitchen appliance that can do it all. 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 a compact package.
They are great for making rich soups and risottos, as they stir while heating up to help create that creamy texture. oven with hob can also steam vegetables or fish, and they make great healthy smoothies and yogurt. They aren't as effective at browning meats as the pressure cooker.
The top all-in-one cookers will have a variety of settings that let you adapt the cooking process to your ingredients and cooking method. This makes them a good option for those who prefer to cook more hands-off meals. The most affordable models are typically equipped with the most basic features however, there are more expensive models with many extras.
All-in-one cookers are generally freestanding, which means they consume more space than an oven and a hob if they are combined. They have two ovens with a total capacity of 60 litres, and four or six plates or hob rings, depending on the model.
A new generation of all-in-one cookware has gained popularity, offering a wide range of additional features. Thermomix, for example, combines the functions of food processors 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 mixing foods such as bearnaise sauce. It's a good investment, but at more than $1500, it isn't inexpensive.
The majority of people who buy an all-in-one cookware will opt for a gas version since it can reduce energy costs. It heats up faster than electric ones, and can be costly to run. They will be compatible with all pans, and a lot will come with the option of griddles too.
Hobs with induction
As the name suggests Induction hobs utilize electromagnetic induction to heat cookware and directly cook food directly. This minimizes the transfer of energy to the cooking surface, which reduces energy consumption, and makes the appliances safe to handle with no residual heat. They also feature a sleek, modern design that is well-suited with modern kitchens.
The technology comes with its own disadvantages. Induction hobs require compatible cookware and are more difficult to clean than gas models. The magnetic induction field also emits low-frequency electromagnetic radiation within the kilohertz band that can be harmful to human health. This level can be decreased by placing the pot at an interval between five and ten centimetres from the active cooking zone.
Different manufacturers offer different kinds of induction hobs, each with different capacities. The basic model has four rings that can each operate independently. The power levels can also be adjusted with an easy control. Simply touch the mark representing the ring you'd like to operate, then tap the + or - buttons or slide your finger across the "power bar" to select the appropriate setting.
Induction hobs often come with a bridging feature that allows you to connect two or more rings to create a larger cooking surface. This is a great option if your larger saucepans don't fit into individual rings. Some induction hobs feature an "wok" setting that provides an additional source of heat for woks. Some have the "free-standing" option that can be used to save space on the flat, smooth surface.
Some models feature an LCD display that shows the current power level of each ring, while others feature 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 have an auto-restart feature which will allow the appliance to return to the previously set cooking mode after a short period of time.