Cookers

Buying a new cooker

Gas cookers, electric cookers or duel fuel cookers whichever, is a single appliance which can combine a hob, grill and oven. Gas cookers are normally sold as natural gas however if specified many can come ready for LPG gas.

Choosing a fuel.Gas hobs offer a good response from low heat (simmer) to full heat within seconds. They are reasonable to buy and reasonable to run. The only disadvantage is the cleaning time involved as there are many separate parts. New legislation requires gas burners on hobs to have a flame supervision device which cuts of the gas if the flame extinguishes, avoiding a leak of gas. Gas ovens you either love them or hate them. They are great for baking as the heat comes from the bottom of the cavity. They give a variance of temperatures throughout the oven which allows you to cook food that requires higher temperatures on the top shelf and food requiring less heat on lower shelves. People find them frustrating when they come to cook the same food on all shelves where they are looking for the same temperature throughout the cavity of the oven.

Electric hobs come in three types

Induction hobs heats through a magnetic force, gives a fast change of heat like the gas hob and also offers safety where the hob remains cool only gaining heat from the base of the cooking vessel. The disadvantage is that it expensive and you require special cookware. However it is energy efficient.
Ceramic hobs are slow to react from simmer to full heat like the induction hob they are easy to clean are relatively cheap to install but remain hot for some time when turned off.

Solid plate hobs have more or less been replaced by ceramic. They are slow to react remain hot for some time when turned off but are cheap.
Electric ovens. Are the best. They offer constant heat throughout the oven cavity, multifunctional offers base or top heat with fan and other features.

Easy clean ovens

Pyrolytic Burns away baked on food and grease into ash which can be swept away from the base of the oven cavity. Easy clean solution.
Stay clean liners. Oven liners burn off baked on food while the oven is in use. Good easy clean method.
Wipe clean with new manufacturing methods ovens can bee seamless making fewer area for food and grease to become trapped. High glaze assists with time involved in cleaning but it will take time but many cooks say it is worth it!

Question time.

My cooker hood is broken does it really matter?

If you have gas or electric cooker you will need a method of ventilation and extraction. When you use your gas or electric cooker particles of hot fat, moisture (steam) tiny particles of food fill the air. This we know as the wonderful cooking smell that makes you feel hungry however this can lead to problems. Over a period of time a film of grease will build up on walls, ceiling and furnishings. In many circumstances a few hours of cleaning will solve the problem but sometimes furnishings become dicoloured and kitchen will require decorating.
So it is best to replace your cooker hood or at least get it repaired.

Can you tell me what an air cooled door is?

Air is blown through a cavity in the gas or electric oven door. This keeps the oven door cool while cooking which is a great safety feature for you and your family.

What is a multifunctional oven?

The electric oven heats from the top and bottom of the oven. It has a fan which circulates the the heat inside the cavity and provides a number of other cooking conditions within the oven cavity,

Can I get different types of pan supports for my gas hob?

Yes, pan supports are available in cast iron or enamelled finish both are robust and look good in any kitchen.

What is a residual heat indicator?

An illuminated light which indicates that the surface of the hob remains hot. Ceramic hobs will remain hot for 20 minutes.

What do the instructions mean by hard wiring?
The electric cooker does not come with a standard plug. You will need the services of a of a qualified electrician. to install the appliance.