When it comes to kitchen appliances, it can take time to decide on various design options and technologies. eXtra blog will help you shop for your built-in cooking appliances.
Starting with the basics, the cooking hobs or cooktops have different sizes and types that suit every taste and family.
Built-in Cooking Hobs
The width is the most important dimension to consider before buying a cooking hob and most other devices. How can I decide on the size?
You decide on the size of your cooking hob based on three factors;
The space on the countertop.
Your cooking habits.
Your household size.
Cooking Hobs have a range of widths;
The 30 cm- fits a small space, has different-sized burners, and is easy to control.
The 60 cm- fits into most kitchens seamlessly since it is the most common hob width: 60cm. Coming with four burners is suitable for everyday cooking needs!
The 75cm- offers extra space for large pots and pans, ideal for those who love to cook more in one go.
The 80- 90 cm- are ideal for individuals who enjoy cooking many meals at once and desire a modern design in their cooking space. It has 4 to 6 burners, which can be perfect for large families since you would have the area for large vessels.
Different types of cooktops
Now that you've decided on the size of your hob, let's make sure what will be the best type and use for you.
Induction Cooktop
Pros
The quickest to heat up.
Respond to temperature changes and cool down.
Only heats the area underneath your pots or pans, leaving the remaining surface cool, so there is no need to worry about getting burnt.
Cons
Sometimes it exceeds the budget for the high price range.
It requires specific cookware such as stainless steel.
You may need to replace your older cookware if you decide on induction.
Induction-safe cookware contains iron particles that activate and create heat when interacting with induction heaters. Make sure new pots and pans are marked "induction safe."
Gas Cooktop- is controllable through the size of their blue flame;
Pros
Flexible use for many types of pans and pots.
Affordable.
Authentic flavors and cooking results.
Cons
It takes time to cook.
Food needs more attention.
Fewer options are available.
Ceramic cooktop
Pros
Smooth glass surfaces over the heat source, making them easier to clean.
Cons
Costly when repairing.
Solid Plate hobs
Pros
It provides heat to the portion of the pan in contact with the plate, so there is no need to
worry about getting burnt.
Cons
It needs specific pans (flat pans) to ensure the food gets even cooking.
Installation Tips
Before Buying Gas Kitchen Appliances, you will need to ensure you have a gas connection and whether your connection is natural or LPG (Liquified petroleum gas). If you are leaning toward induction cooking in your kitchen, you will need to assess whether you have enough amps to power an induction hob.
Cooking Hoods
Still hesitating to choose your hoods? Let us assist you.
To make the right decision, you need to think of the following;
Food
If you love to cook fried or grilled food and you cook with steam, you'll need a more powerful kitchen hood, not only because of the smell but because grease can build up in hard-to-reach spots and damage your beautifully painted walls and especially if you have an open kitchen.
Power
How to choose the right power for my hood?
You need to know the minimum extraction rate
1. Measure: your kitchen's length, width & height.
2. Multiply: length x width x height = cubic capacity.
3. Multiply: the cubic capacity x 12 = minimum extraction rate.
eXtra Tip: Now you have the minimum extraction rate for 12 changes of air per hour. Between 8 and 12 changes are recommended.
Types of the cooking hood
There are 5 familiar types of hoods, but before deciding on the type, you should first consider the ventilation.
You can choose between ducted, ductless, or convertible hoods.
Ducted hoods: The ducted hood kicks out all the air outside your home through the ductwork, but you need to consult professionals for installation.
Ductless hoods: the ductless range hoods work on recirculating the air using a filter, but it needs filter cleaning twice a year to ensure fresh, clean air in your home.
Convertible hoods: is a flexible range hood; you can choose to have ductwork and push the air outside or recirculate it in-house. It's useful when you decide to change your kitchen design as it fits with all different designs.
After deciding on the ventilation, now choose the best design for your kitchen.
Wall Mount Canopy Range Hoods
Wall mount usually occurs above the stove and is ducted in most cases, but other venting options are also available.
Under-Cabinet Range Hoods
These hoods are installed under the cabinet; they are smaller than the wall-mount canopy hoods but are still powerful enough to eliminate unneeded smoke and steam. The good thing about it is that you can hide the ductwork in the cabinet above.
Over-The-Range Microwave Hood Combinations
A microwave-hood combination is a 2-in-1 appliance; as the name suggests, it can work as a
microwave; meanwhile, it will evacuate the excess smoke from the cooking surface below.
Island Range Hoods
This hood range is typically placed in the middle of the room, hanging above an island. They offer advanced technology and usually need ductwork in the ceiling.
Retractable Downdraft Hoods
These hidden vent hoods provide a sleek, integrated ventilation solution by remaining flush with the countertop until needed, then rising high above the cooking surface when turned on.
Built-In Oven
The oven is the kitchen's centerpiece since it's where all your masterpieces and creativity come out; that's why you need to be careful while choosing your oven.
How would you like to fit it?
There are two different designs to choose from that match your kitchen.
Built-Under - where the oven is fitted underneath a worktop, alongside the kitchen cabinets, for a harmonious look. Built-under double ovens are often around 72cm high; check your dimensions before buying.
Built-In: The oven is placed within a column cabinet. This makes lifting dishes in and out of the oven much easier as there's no bending required, and it is excellent for hefty cookware.
Fuel Type
Gas: Gas ovens are likely cheaper to run due to the variation of different energy prices. The top of the oven is the hottest, so they're great if you're looking for an authentic taste. Before installing a gas oven, you must ensure a suitable gas connection.
Electric: Electric ovens are frequently the preferred option. They attain far more precise temperatures and produce excellent results in even heat distribution, assuring dependable cooking.
Oven Capacity
Oven capacity is measured by Liters, and accordingly, the dimension of your oven;
55-60 liters - Enough to cook up a storm for one to three people, with sizes from 55 to 65 cm, and can fit small spaces.
103 -110 liters - It is best for big households of four or more and big eaters with dimensions from 85 to 95 cm and can fit large spaces.
Extra tips:
- A built-in oven with a swing door allows you to stand closer, making it easier to move things in and out in a small gallery kitchen.
- Choose an oven with removable shelves for greater cooking freedom.
We've decided on the oven fit, capacity, and fuel type; let's discover the best oven we would choose!
Conventional Oven
These ovens, which contain heating elements on top and bottom, are considered traditional ovens. With hot air rising to the top of the oven when cooking on both racks in a regular oven, meals on the bottom rack may undercook while the food on the top rack may overcook, providing a classic taste of cooking.
Fan Ovens
The best to circulate air around the food and distribute the heat around the food with less temperature and time. This is the best for baking lovers.
Multifunction ovens
It combines conventional and fan, which is the best for those who love cooking all types of food, baking, roasting, grilling, and defrosting. This will lead to fewer cooking types, with food being cooked evenly.
Cleaning tips
Self-cleaning ovens: Pyrolytic ovens will incinerate any dirt left in your oven, leaving easy-to-wipe-away ash, with no cleaning products required.
Catalytic liners: Models with catalytic liners absorb grease and fat splashes and are easily replaceable after multiple uses.
Extra tip: Anti-fingerprint finishes look great and require less cleaning.
Furnish your modern kitchen now from eXta. You're only one click away.
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