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Glossary of Electric Cookers Terms
C
Catalytic / Self Clean
This is usually a feature within an oven cavity though in some instances may also be incorporated to a lid that covers a cooker hob. This is where special grease-absorbent liners soak up fat and grease from the oven when it is exposed to very higher temperatures, normally of 330C or higher, and in some cases it simply carbonates and turns to dust making cleaning much easier. Most ovens have removable and therefore replaceable liners although some models will actually spray or paint the liners on.
Ceramic Hobs
These have proved very popular. They have a touch-glass surface with heating elements beneath; the heat is conducted through the glass and into the pan. The smooth glass surface makes cleaning easier and some appliances have sensors which will automatically turn down the heat to avoid burning. All hobs have heat retention lights which glow when the hob is at its required temperature and make it easier to see when the surface is cool enough to touch.
Cooker Hoods
A cooker hood is the mouth of a ventilation system that is usually found directly above the cooker. They help to remove cooking smells and air-borne grease and pass it through filters before the air is either vented out of the room or re-circulated as cleaner air back in. Hoods come in a variety of styles and shapes and can either be integrated into the kitchen units or be independent from them (such has hanging from the ceiling over an island)
D
Dual Zone
A dual zone allows for a variety in heating requirements. In most cases there is an inner zone and an outer zone within the main ring so that energy can be saved when cooking with smaller rings (and only the inner zone is used).
E
Elements
The elements are those features of the oven that deliver the heat. Radiant ribbon elements and coil elements are the two most common varieties – the coil elements tend to be used in smooth top units. Electricity heats the elements which in turn distribute heat evenly around the cooker or oven to cook.
Enamel lining/coating
Vitreous enamel is a very thin layer of glass that is fused onto metal with heat. It is commonly found in most kitchen wear from ovens to pans and washing machine drums, and helps to make things both hard and durable, with a smooth glossy finish. Enamel is made by exposing glass to temperatures of up to 800C and so it is a great way to make items heat resistant – it would be very unlikely that an oven or cooker would exceed temperatures as high as this.
Energy Rating/Efficiency
Appliance manufacturers are now required to give indication as to how energy efficient their products are. All appliances are graded from A to G, where 'A' is the most energy efficient (require less energy to work and costs less to maintain), and where 'G' is the least efficient.
F
Freestanding Cookers
Just as the name suggests, a freestanding cooker is independent from the units of a fitted kitchen and can be placed wherever space allows. In most cases they are height adjustable with screw fitted legs which means that they can be adjusted to match the worktop level.
H
Halogen Bulbs/Lighting
Halogen lights are much brighter than the average light bulb and consequently can get very hot. Because the casing is heat resistant, this makes them idea to use within cooking equipment where high temperatures are the norm. Though they can be rather expensive to buy separately, most appliances will come with these already integrated into the unit and therefore are included in the price.
I
Induction Cooking
Works by producing an electrical current in the coils that fit beneath the surface of the hob. The current causes the molecules of the pan on hob to vibrate rapidly to cause friction which in turn produces heat to cook with. Induction hobs are quick, safe and are generally more energy efficient because only the precise amount of energy you need is used.
M
Multi Function choice
Electric Ovens tend to have a number of available integrated functions such as grilling, fans, bottom and top elements, defrost setting, rotitherm roasting etc. These options are designed to obtain the maximum potential in saving time and energy in cooking.
P
Power Boost
These refer to the hobs used for induction cooking; the power boost accelerates the heating of cooking zones which can save a lot of time.
Pyrolytic Cleaning Systems
Pyrrolysis is the use of heat to break down complex chemical substances (e.g. grease) into simpler substances which in cooking appliances are much easier to remove. Similar to Catalytic Liners, this process relies on heat as a catalyst to work but requires much higher temperatures. The oven door will be locked before temperatures of up to 500C will simply turn any dirt into ash. It is regarded as the most efficient method of cleaning and is both economically and environmentally friendly as it requires no chemicals.
R
Red Spots
Some electric sealed plate hobs have red marks or spots on them to indicate where the highest temperatures reach – this is usually in the middle of a 'zone'.
Rotitherm Roasting
This is a particular setting or function available on many contemporary ovens that gives an authentic spit-roast effect for meat, poultry and other foodstuffs such as roasted potatoes – only without all of the mess. Hot air is circulated with a fan from the top element in a similar way to a rotisserie.
S
Solid Plate Electric Hobs
Solid plate electric hobs are located on the top surface of a cooker and are used to distribute heat into the base of a saucepan. They are sometimes referred to as sealed plates.
Splash-backs
A splash-back is a separate plate of metal or sheet of glass that cover s the hob elements of a cooker when laid flat, but can be lifted like a lid to act as a guard against grease stains marking walls. They are easy to clean though any stubborn marks could be hidden anyway when the lid is laid flat.
T
Telescopic Shelving
These are the metal grill helves that slide out from the oven cavity horizontally. They act as a great added safety feature in that they prevent against the shelves tipping forward and causing harm.
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