A guide to ovens

A free article on Interior Design

By: Emily Haigh

The cooker is arguably the most important appliance in your kitchen, and there are a multitude of models to choose from. To narrow down the options, first assess how much space you have. While a freestanding range makes a show-stopping centrepiece, in small kitchens, a built-in model fitted at a practical height is a more viable alternative.

Other deciding factors are the functions offered – some range-style cookers are available as versatile dual-fuel models, while new technologies, such as pyrolytic cleaning and defrost, are innovations that make cooking a breeze.

Range Cookers

Range and range-style cookers are a versatile choice for larger kitchens, but before you buy, it's important to understand the difference between them.
A traditional range constantly radiates heat into its ovens and hob plates, so it's always ready to use, and in some cases can provide heating and hot water for the household. On the other hand, a range-style cooker works like a conventional oven, so it won't heat your home and you turn each oven and hob on and off as you use it.
There are also major differences in the way your food is cooked. Traditional ranges bake food by way of indirect radiant heat, rather than the direct heat emitted from a gas flame or electric element. This locks in moisture and maintains natural flavours.
Range-style cookers offer a multitude of functions for the keen cook, such as large-capacity ovens, up to six hob burners, grill plates and a fish kettle. They come as standard gas and electric models, but for even greater flexibility, consider a dual-fuel option that offers a gas hob combined with electric ovens.
Authentic ranges can be powered by natural or propane gas, oil and electricity, and if you opt for a cast-iron model, it needs to stand on a solid, level floor made from a non-flammable material that can take a weight of around 300kg. It's a good idea to arrange a site visit beforehand to address any possible problems.

Functions

Watch out for the following functions that can simplify the cooking process and make your oven easier to maintain:

Meat Probe
This checks on the progress of meat without the need to open the oven door. A probe is placed into the joint, and an outside display tells you when it's ready.
Pizza Setting
Great for ensuring a restaurant-quality pizza with a crispy base, a melting cheese topping and no burnt crusts.
Defrost
Uses circulating air to thaw food. Ideal for kitchens without a microwave oven.
Keep Warm
Offers a low-heat programme that keeps food warm without drying it out.
Advanced Grill
Heats up in a matter of seconds and works like a rotisserie without the need for turning or basting.
Pyrolytic Cleaning
This is a high-temperature programme that burns off cooking residue, leaving a small amount of carbon that can be wiped away. Some manufacturers have their own brand of self-cleaning functions, such as Gorenje's AquaClean, which involves placing a tray of water in the oven and running for 20 minutes to clean.
Catalytic Liners
Absorb splashes that are burnt off when the oven is run at its highest temperature. Need to be replaced periodically.
Enamel Coating
This smooth surface is non-porous, meaning it's much easier to clean.

Fan Cooking

By circulating hot air around the oven, a fan generates faster cooking times at lower temperatures, and ensures an even heat is maintained throughout the oven. This not only saves on energy, time and running costs, but is also great for batch cooking, and for baking sweet and savoury dishes on different shelves without a transfer of flavours.

Safety Matters

Look out for: •Automatic shut-off when an oven is left on for too long •Child safety locks •Telescopic shelves that roll out to give safe access to heavy pots and trays •Double- or triple-glazed doors that stay cool outside •Fan ovens that shut down when you open the door so heat won't blast in your face

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