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Glossary of Gas Cookers Terms
A
Automatic Ignition
This refers to the burner controls on the hob of a cooker. In some appliances, a separate ignition button must be pressed simultaneously when a small amount of gas has been released, however, more modern appliances will have an automatic ignition element inside the burner dial.
B
Burners
The functions of a hob as described by the manufacturer may include 'rapid burners', 'Auxiliary burners' or semi-rapid burners'. These are really just a reference to the size and power of the burners themselves. The large ones are referred to as rapid burners because naturally they cover a greater surface area and produce more heat quickly, and the slow burners are designed for smaller pans. Essentially the choice allows for more energy efficient cooking as the heat applied can match the size of the pans.
C
Cast Iron Pan supports
Cast Iron Pan Supports have the same purpose as the enamel ones; their job is really to ensure that the pans are kept upright and balanced just above the actual burner. Some cookers may have individual pan supports, for example four separate grates for four burners, but the standard is to have two. They can be easily lifted for cleaning purposes and whilst sturdy, they are lightweight enough to remove by hand.
Ceramic Hobs
Ceramic surfaces are ideal for cooking appliances because of their resistance to heat and easy-clean qualities. Usually black in colour, the ceramic is made from glass that has been melted at temperatures in excess of 800C and then welded onto metal. As the glass starts to cool, it shrinks slightly and therefore grips tightly to the metal and gives it an added durability.
Convection Oven
This is another name for the more commonly known 'fan oven'. They are regarded as more energy efficient and faster than conventional ovens because the fan element circulates the air evenly and the oven therefore maintains a constant heat throughout.
Conventional Oven
A conventional oven is the simplest kind available; they tend to have one single opening for the hot air to enter the oven such as an exposed gas flame at the back and bottom of the cavity. They differ from convection ovens which have a fan to circulate the hot air, but in conventional ovens the heat must simply rise from the bottom. For more experienced cooks, the conventional oven is ideal because it gives different temperatures so different foodstuffs can be cooked simultaneously, however, for the less advanced, this means that those items placed at the top will simply be cooked first and problems can occur when large pans or trays are put inside and block the heat from rising as efficiently.
Cooker Hoods
Freestanding cookers are less likely to have an integrated ventilation system and so it is important that there is some method of air-circulation around it. Cooker hoods have become more of a design feature in the kitchen over the years and they come in a variety of styles such as canopy, telescopic or island hoods. The hoods are designed to extract the smells of cooking and grease, sieve them through a filter and either re-circulate fresher air back into the kitchen or extract the air outside through ducting.
CORGI
CORGI stands for 'Council Of Registered Gas Installers'. This is the professional accreditation that is required for anyone who is fitting or overseeing maintenance on a gas appliance. Failure to use a professional could affect any warrantees and certainly any insurance claims in the event of anything going wrong.
'Cycloheat'
Cycloheat cooking is where the gas mark you set the controls to relates directly to the middle shelf in the cavity of the oven – the oven can therefore be hotter above and cooler below which allows you to cook dishes requiring different temperatures at the same time.
E
Enamel Pan supports
The pan supports are the black grills that sit on the top of the hob. They are usually made from enamel or cast iron. Enamel is heat resistant (to most cooking temperatures at least); essentially it is glass that is heated to extremely high temperatures before it is welded to metal. As it cools it hardens and adds durability and a smooth finish to the metal it covers. Pan supports are necessary as they allow some space between the pans and the burners and keep the pans level.
F
FFD
EU Regulations require that all engineers and gas fitters must refuse to connect any gas appliance that does not have an FFD; 'Flame Failure Device', if they are being installed inside flats, rented accommodation or multi-occupancy dwellings such as student halls.
M
Mechanical Thermostat
The thermostat is naturally one of the more important elements in a cooker; it is a thermometer attached to a switch that turns on the oven heater (in gas an electric varieties). They ensure that the oven reaches a specific heat and maintains that temperature by allowing currents to surge through the oven cavity.
Minute Minder
This is a timer that is integrated into the ovens (usually seen on a control panel or display screen), it sounds an alarm when the cooking time is up.
R
Rotary Controls
Rotary controls are those that must be turned in order to operate. As obvious as this may sound, there are other types of controls such as electronic or digital buttons but the rotary variety allow for more accurate control. Contemporary designs will have more ergonomic style controls but essentially work in the same way. Controls for the hob are usually placed in a row along the front or side of the hob surface; they need to be far away enough from the heat and also need to clearly mark out which burner they control.
S
Splash back
This is another name for a splashguard. On freestanding appliances, sometimes a lid will cover the hob which creates an overall smooth surface which can be used as a work top. When the burners are in use, the lid lifts to expose the hob surface, and stays upright to serve as a guard against grease hitting the kitchen walls. Modern kitchen designs will have their own independent splash guards, usually made from tiles or stainless steel. They are easy to wipe clean and when part of a freestanding appliance, can be closed again to hide.
U
Ultrazone Cooking
A feature on some modern cookers that ensures different foodstuffs can be cooked simultaneously without the smells and flavours being transferred.
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