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Glossary of Range Cookers Terms
C
Conventional Oven
A conventional oven is where the heat simply rises from the bottom of the oven and is not circulated by a fan. For the expert cook this can be a great advantage as it means that essentially there are 'zones' within the oven so different foodstuffs requiring different temperatures can be coked simultaneously. The coolest part of the oven will usually be the bottom as the heat naturally rises, though in instances where there might be large coking pans or trays inside the oven, then this may prevent the heat from rising as it should.
D
Dual Fuel
This literally means that the appliance works on both electricity and gas. It will require a mains supply of LPG gas supply as well as a connection tot he electricity mains. Though dual fuel is becoming an increasingly popular function on most domestic ovens, it is particularly popular with range ovens as it brings together the benefits of cooking with both fuel types. It is widely considered preferable to use gas for pan cooking on the hob as it is easier to control and fluctuate the amount of fuel immediately to suit the cooking needs; and electricity in the main oven which is generally considered to be a much faster method of cleaning.
E
Electric Hobs
Electric hobs give a more contemporary look to a kitchen and their flat surfaces make for easier cleaning. The hob surfaces tend to be made from ceramic which has a glass finish to add to that smooth and sleek look though there are some sealed-plate hob varieties which is where a ceramic or metal plate protrudes slightly from the surface.
Electric Ovens
Electric ovens offer a large amount of flexibility in terms of cooking; they are much quicker at heating up and finding a constant temperature which can be easily dispersed throughout the oven cavity by a fan.
F
FFD
This stands for Flame Failure Device which as instrument within an oven or hob that senses the presence of flame and cuts off the supply of fuel in the event of flame failure (i.e. if the pilot fails to light) EU regulations now state that it is illegal for gas fitters to install gas appliances into rented accommodation or group lodgings without that appliance having a FFD.
G
Gas Hobs
Most people prefer cooking with a gas hob as it has the benefits of rapid response and instant heat. There may be a variety of burners on the surface of the hob, in most cases they may also differ in size: smaller burners for smaller pans and quicker cooking, and larger burners for those instances where higher blasts of heat and larger pans are required.
Glass Lid
Glass lids to cover the hob surface were once common place though tend to have drifted from the zeitgeist somewhat over the last few years. The lid simply covers the surface of the hob to create a smother surface which can be used as added work surface space though they are susceptible to scratching which can be difficult to remove. When lifted up, the lid also acts as a splash back to protect the wall from grease. They are easy to clean and are heat resistant.
Griddle Plates
Most range cookers will come with a range of accessories, including a griddle plate which is removable. These are cast iron griddles or pans that are placed over the pan supports to cover a wider surface area for cooking. They may have a smooth surface which can be ideal for cooking foodstuffs such as eggs or Indian style breads, or they may be ribbed which are more suited to cooking meats as they can drain excess fat whilst retaining sealing in flavour. (Contemporary varieties may even have a combination of smooth or ribbed surfaces). Some range cookers may have a fixed, integrated griddle pan on the surface of the hob and are usually heated with electricity.
L
LPG
This stands for Liquid Petroleum Gas and is an alternative to the gas mains supply that is most common in households. A freestanding oven/cooker may require a canister of LPG and one advantage is that this means the appliance is safe to be moved. It is a hydrocarbon fuel made from butane and propane which becomes a liquid at atmospheric temperature but returns to a gas when released; therefore it can be compressed for storage. Most range cookers can be adapted for LPG use or mains connection.
O
Oven capacity
The oven capacity on range models can vary between manufacturers, though in general they can be up to twice the size of an ordinary domestic oven. The capacity is usually measured in litres, and a standard Range Oven can vary between 80-110 Litres. In addition to this, many ovens will also have a storage unit for keeping oven trays etc in them, and these too can have a capacity of up to 50 Litres.
P
Pan Supports
The pan support is the black grate-like feature that covers the burners on the hob surface. They are commonly made from cast iron for durability and look good on both traditional and contemporary products. The cast iron may have a matt or a gloss finish and in both instances, helps to give a smoother, easy-clean surface.
Pre-Heating
One of the biggest advantages electric ovens have over gas is that they sometimes come with pre-heat functions which can effectively save energy in the long run. Fan ovens will circulate the heat around the oven cavity to get it to a consistent temperature much faster (therefore requiring shorter cooking times). The pre-heat setting can be useful for cooking frozen food or simply warming plates for a few minutes before serving – removing them before the oven reaches a maximum temperature.
R
Rotisserie
This is revolving spit inside the oven or grill cavity which continuously turns food to ensure that it is evenly cooked on all sides. Best used on meats, it retains cooking juices and reduces spitting.
S
Sealed Plates
Sealed plates are those elements on the surface of electric hobs; they are sealed discs that usually feature a red spot. They offer slower heating and cooling-down times than ceramic hobs.
Self-Cleaning
Self Cleaning options will vary between appliances: in some cases the self cleaning functions may be catalytic liners which are grease resistant enamel surfaces that lines the walls of the oven (these can be removable walls or sprayed on), and in some cases self-cleaning may be a setting on the oven itself. A special function will set the temperature to reach in excess of 500C to melt or carbonise any unwanted residue inside which can then be simply wiped away once the oven has cooled.
Storage
Most range cookers will feature an area to store baking trays and roasting tins etc, which may appear in the form of draws of compartments with a drop-down door flap. Modern ranges will feature storage areas that can also be warmed up to create another 'warming zone'; this can be handy for keeping plates warm before serving.
W
Warming Zones
Many range cookers have warming zones as features on the appliance. Usually a feature in one of the oven cavities, a pre-set function will set a low temperature so as not to actually cook the food but to keep it at a 'warm temperature'. Most people will find this particularly useful for keeping plates warm before serving. Contemporary range ovens may also have a 'warming zone' on the hob surface – it is essentially the same as a hotplate in how it looks (a flat surface) that it doesn't 'cook' but keeps a low and consistent temperature.
Wok Supports
Similar to the ordinary pan supports, these cast iron grates rest directly over the burner. As wok pans tend to have a curved bottom, these particular supports are complimentary to this and allow the pans to rest inside
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