All about ovens: how to use and why you need an oven

The process of creating dishes has long gone beyond the scope of conventional cooking. This procedure can be attributed to a kind of creativity, as a result of which works of culinary arts are born. And all this became possible only thanks to modern technology and new devices.

The most common and sought after is the oven. The special device of the oven makes it possible to create unique dishes, which, in addition to their taste, are also distinguished by their usefulness. But the question arises before the housewives: what kind of electric or gas oven to buy for the house? To understand it, you need to study the device and the principle of operation of electric and gas furnaces.

Oven Dishes

Oven Dishes

Why does the house need an oven?

Cooking in the oven is not only convenient, but also useful. Judge for yourself: the dishes are prepared with a minimum amount of fat or oil, the crust is not obtained as a result of the burning of fat, but under the influence of high temperature. Therefore, such food is healthy and can be given even to children.

Many housewives perceive the oven as an item of household appliances, with which you can create only festive dishes. For example, bake meat, make a pie or turkey. In fact, the process of cooking in the oven is much easier and it happens faster than on the stove. When frying in a pan, you need to ensure that the food does not burn, constantly turn it over, stir, reduce or increase the fire. In the oven, everything happens for a turn. For each dish, you can set a separate temperature, baking is carried out immediately from two sides, the readiness is reported by the timer. In addition, there are dishes that cannot be cooked in a skillet or pan.

How to cook in the oven

Which oven to choose: electric vs gas

All cabinets are dependent and independent, built-in and free-standing, can be conditionally divided into two types:

• appliances run on gas;
• the stoves are powered by electricity.

It is the difference in the source of energy that is the key when choosing. In the modern market, the number of models that operate on electricity is increasing every year. And as you know, demand determines supply. But does this mean that gas ovens are worse than electric ones and why more and more people are inclined to precisely these options?

What is each type of

Mistresses regularly use the oven, but most do not even think about which schemes of stoves each of them has. Modern models have become much more functional than their old counterparts. They include a wide range of functions:

• many different baking programs;
• grill function;
• special programs for baking;
• timer;
• cleaning functions and others.

But, despite this, any oven is, first of all, a metal frame with ventilation holes, inside which there is a working chamber. Between the camera and the housing there is a special space that is filled with a heat insulator. It reduces heating time and keeps the desired temperature inside. The action of any model is based on non-contact heat transfer from the heating elements to the product, as a result of which it is heated to the desired temperature.

Gas or electric oven

Depending on the type of oven, different heat sources can be used:

• electric oven - heating elements of different capacities. The degree of heating is regulated;
• gas - open fire that occurs when gas is supplied. It is possible to regulate its flow. Passing through the nozzle of the burner, it mixes with air and ignites.

All ovens vary in number and location of heat sources. They can only be installed at the bottom, bottom and top, sometimes on the back of the cabinet.

How to use: heating modes and oven functions

Depending on the models, the cabinets are equipped with different heating modes and the more there are, the more varied the list of dishes that can be prepared.

Inexpensive models are equipped with upper and lower heating elements. They can be included both in sequence and together. In some instances, another heating heater may be located at the top - a grill.

Convection mode

Dear models, in addition to the classic heating modes, are equipped with another - convection. When it is turned on, a forced distribution of hot air occurs in the cabinet due to the operation of the fan built into the rear wall. It contributes to the proper distribution of heat, which guarantees the uniformity of baking and baking.

In gas ovens of inexpensive models, heating is carried out at the bottom of the chamber. To adjust the baking, the pan must be moved up or down the cabinet. However, a significant plus is the heating rate. In gas ovens, it significantly exceeds electrical analogues.

Gas cabinet grill

Medium price cabinets are equipped with a grill. In some models it can be electric, in others gas. Many manufacturers of furnaces began to equip expensive models with convection fans. They forcibly distribute hot air through the chamber.

There are more heating modes in electric ovens than in gas cabinets.

Compared to electric, gas ovens significantly lose in functionality. Since they have, in addition to standard modes, also additional ones, the presence of which may differ depending on the model:

• gentle defrosting. In this mode, the oven switches on in a delicate temperature mode, allowing food to defrost;
• quick warm up. It turns on immediately to the maximum temperature and catches up the desired degrees in a matter of minutes;
• keeping the food warm. It works at a minimum temperature, so that the cooked dish is not overcooked, but warm. The temperature regime is monitored by a built-in thermostat;
• languor - the function is suitable for cooking cereals and other dishes that do not need high temperature;
• timer - allows you to schedule the start time of cooking and signals the end;
• temperature probe - measures the temperature inside the product and gives a signal of its readiness.

Electric Oven Modes

Some modern models are equipped with memory. This function makes it possible to memorize the cooking time, as well as the temperature regime of different dishes. Apparently therefore, many cooks and housewives are more likely to purchase an electric oven.

How to choose an electric stove for home cooking

The choice of an electric furnace depends entirely on the work assigned to it. If you need a model that will do great with baking buns, cooking meat, then a mini oven is perfect for you. This model has a fairly low cost, while its baking quality is at its best. It has small dimensions, so it is perfect even for the smallest kitchen.

These types of compact ovens have almost all the functions of stationary appliances. The number of functions and temperature conditions are completely dependent on the model. Devices can be equipped with:

• defrost function;
• top heating with convection;
• lower heat;
• upper and lower heating;
• the ability to turn on the fan in any mode of operation.

Typically, such devices are not as powerful as stationary, but 230 degrees is enough to cook any dish quickly enough.

The types of ovens presented on the modern market are amazing. Therefore, it is difficult, but possible, to opt for a particular model. First of all, you need to understand why you need this assistant and what functions he must perform to satisfy the desires of the hostess in the kitchen.

So, the main selection options:

Type of performance - it will be a built-in oven or freestanding:

• if repair in the kitchen is only supposed, it is better to purchase a built-in design. You can choose the desired dimensions, design;
• if a stationary oven was installed in the kitchen, the choice is limited to the same models, however, you can buy a stove where the upper elements will be gas and the bottom will be electric or the whole oven will be electric.

Availability of features. The cost directly depends on this parameter:

• budget models have the ability to adjust heating modes, have several basic functions;
• more expensive electric stoves can be equipped with everything necessary for comfortable cooking of products, their defrosting, timer and delay in cooking, keeping food warm.

Power and energy efficiency. These parameters need to be read in the instructions that are attached to each model.

Design. Modern models can be made of different materials. The most popular and expensive is an enameled oven. It can be made in different colors and shades, which contributes to the maximum selection of its room design.

Features to consider when choosing

Despite the fact that many models have a similar set of functions, their work can differ significantly from each other. Let's start with the most important thing for housewives - the cleaning function. Many people prefer to cook their culinary masterpieces in the oven, but not many people like to wash them, so the cleaning function is an important criterion when choosing.

There are 3 functions that can be used in modern models, except, of course, the traditional method of cleaning with detergent and a sponge:

1. Catalytic - used in low-cost models. Principle of action: on the walls there is a special catalyst that promotes the breakdown of fat at elevated temperatures. After cooking, you need to wipe the walls with a damp sponge to remove dirt. The disadvantage is that after a few years the activity of the catalyst decreases.
2. Pyrolytic - used in premium models. To activate, just install the desired function and all. The oven is heated to a temperature of 500 degrees, after which all the fat burns out, it remains only to wipe the walls with a damp sponge. The disadvantage is high electricity consumption.
3. Steam and water - used in any oven. It is considered the most effective. A pan with water is installed down the chamber, a special cleaning function is activated, which heats the oven to a temperature of 70-80 degrees. As a result of exposure to steam, the pollution softens.

The choice of control system is also important for housewives. It is believed that electronic control significantly reduces the possibility of self-regulation. This is actually not the case. Types of Management:

1. Mechanical control significantly reduces the cost of the product, but its main advantage is simplicity. In some cases, this control method is the best, since it is possible to independently control the temperature and operation modes of the heating elements.
   

   Mechanical control

2. Electromechanical models. There are three main regulators: heating method, temperature, timer. Such models are the most popular on the market. They have a relatively low cost, while they are very functional and easy to use.
   

   Electromechanical control

3. Electronic control - installed in expensive models. It fully automates the cooking process. Management is via touch buttons. This control provides a completely different level of control over the process of creating dishes.

Electronic control

When choosing a model, you need to pay attention to all the functions that are embedded in a particular model. Only by carefully analyzing all the possibilities, you can make the right choice and buy a real assistant in cooking for yourself in the kitchen.