Electric oven: design and principle of operation
The oven has its own history. Its prototype can be considered the Russian stove, the Georgian torna, the Asian tandoor, and a basic oven built into a village stove, which is heated with birch logs.
However, modern electric ovens are convenient household appliances that combine many functions. It uses the principle of wall heating, common to all ovens, due to which specific non-contact heat treatment of products occurs at temperatures from 30 to 300 degrees.
Ovens are distinguished by the type of location of the heating element: under the bottom, in the upper part of the structure, or in a top/bottom combination with a function for adjusting use.
Most modern models of ovens from leading manufacturers of household appliances Bosh, Miele, Siemens, Neff have an electric heating block at the bottom, a grill located at the top, and a ring heater on the back wall. With the help of a convection fan, its heat is evenly distributed inside the cabinet, speeding up and qualitatively improving the cooking process.
Improved models of electric ovens, in addition to the standard baking and grilling functions, can change the operating mode from electric to microwave. This significantly expands the oven's capabilities and makes work in the kitchen easier. An oven with such equipment allows you to vary programs from defrosting food and heating ready-made dishes to ensuring a full process of preparing them according to the most complex recipes.
Additional devices and options
We have figured out the variety of types and types of ovens, but this is not enough to choose an oven model, since there are a huge number of additional options that each manufacturer strives to increase. Let's look at some of the common options offered by manufacturers.
Convection
Convection is a heating mode in which hot air circulates throughout the oven. The convection heating mode of the oven is ensured by the operation of a fan located on the back wall of the oven
closet Thanks to convection, you can cook dishes on several levels at the same time and you don’t have to worry about baking evenly.
Grill
A grill is a gas, electric or infrared heating element located in the upper part of the oven that radiates heat in such a way that the food underneath quickly browns on top, while remaining tender and juicy inside.
Skewer
A spit is a device, often equipped with an electric motor, that allows you to cook barbecue or large pieces of meat, fish, and poultry by baking them evenly on all sides.
Oven with microwave function
The microwave function is the ability to use the oven as a microwave oven, and it is possible to combine it with other operating modes, such as grill and conventional. When using the microwave function, the cooking process is significantly accelerated. Read more…
Electric ignition of gas ovens
Electric ignition is a device that ignites the flame of gas burners without opening the oven door using an electric spark, which ensures the safety and convenience of using the oven. Electric ignition can be implemented automatically when switching the gas burner adjustment or as a separate button.
Telescopic guides
Telescopic guides are retractable runners on which baking sheets are placed. There are implementations of telescopic guides that extend out of the oven simultaneously with the opening of the door, which ensures the safety of checking the readiness of the dish and the convenience of using the oven, but the most common implementation is one that does not extend when the door is opened, but this simple design is very convenient to use, since there is no need to remove the baking sheet from the oven runners.
Timer
A timer is a device for programming time that allows you to timely control the degree of readiness of a dish and turn off the oven in a timely manner. There are models with an audible timer that only beep when the time has elapsed, and there are models with the oven automatically turning off.
Ability to program
There are models with a specific list of programs provided by the manufacturer, which allows you to automatically prepare various dishes or perform the operations necessary for their preparation, such as defrosting. There are also models that allow you to create your own cooking programs and save them in memory.
Tangential mechanism
A tangential mechanism is a mechanism that uses a cooling fan to supply cold air from the bottom up through the door's supply duct system to cool it by displacing heated air through an air duct located above the door, which also prevents the kitchen unit from heating up.
Pyrolytic cleaning
Pyrolytic cleaning is the most effective high-temperature automatic oven cleaning system, in which dirt burns, turning into ash, thereby eliminating the need to use special detergents, but not a damp cloth. Read more…
Catalytic purification
Catalytic cleaning is a system that uses fine-pored enamel with catalytic properties to accelerate the oxidation of fat and its breakdown into water and carbon. Unlike the pyrolytic cleaning system, in the catalytic system cleaning occurs during the cooking process at a working temperature of up to 200-250°C, but this does not eliminate the need to clean the working chamber with special means, but only reduces the frequency of their use. Read more…
We have provided only a small part of the most common and popular additional functions and options offered by manufacturers. At the same time, each manufacturer has its own unique options and functions offered to customers, which you can familiarize yourself with in the relevant sections:
- Popular models of Bosch ovens
- Popular models of Gorenje ovens
Advantages of electric ovens
An oven is chosen for specific purposes. If it is intended that it will only be used for baking confectionery, you should not purchase an oven with additional functions necessary for preparing complex dishes from meat, fish, poultry or seafood. The more functions an oven performs, the more expensive it is - this should also be taken into account when choosing a planned purchase.
Electric ovens have an important advantage over gas ovens: their control panel includes options that allow you to set and regulate the temperature with great precision. Technically, deviations from the specified temperature regime are allowed by no more than 5 degrees. Achieving this effect when using a gas oven is much more difficult.
Operating principle of the oven
Using the oven is very simple. Its owner is required to set the desired temperature and duration of the cooking process. Or select one of the specified device operating modes. After this, just place the food on the inner oven racks and close the door. The system will not only control the cooking process. Safety automation will prevent the release of hot air, lock the door if necessary, and respond to any emergency situations or malfunctions in the oven.
Technical capabilities of autonomous and dependent cabinets
The control system in ovens powered by electricity can be autonomous or dependent. In dependent models, control of the oven functions is included in the overall system of the electronic or mechanical hob. The oven is connected to the overall structure of the stove by simply pressing a button, which has only two modes: on and off.
Autonomous models are equipped with a separate control panel, on which there is a symbolic designation of the functions included in their technical characteristics.
If kitchen appliances are purchased as a set, it is more profitable to buy a dependent model, because its cost will be partially included in the cost of the stove. As a rule, ovens and stoves from leading European manufacturers enter the consumer market precisely as complementary elements of kitchen equipment.
If the oven is needed as a separate electric heating device, you should choose a model of the same brand and class as the stove, otherwise the functions of the hob may not coincide with the technical capabilities of the oven itself.
Choosing an oven with autonomous control will eliminate such problems. Its panel is located on the front of the structure and contains exactly those options that correspond to its functionality. Such cabinets are much more expensive, but their advantages are obvious.
Oven manufacturers
It is impossible to definitely choose the best manufacturer, since there are leaders in the production of certain types of equipment or in a separate price category. If you are purchasing an oven in the middle or upper price segment, it is recommended to pay attention not even to the manufacturer itself, but to the presence of its service centers in the region.
The most famous brands most often found in stores:
Gorenje.
It is deservedly one of the market leaders and offers products in the middle and high price segment, with appropriate quality and functionality.
Siemens.
The German brand is one of the trendsetters in the industry, constantly updating its products with advanced functionality of its own developments. User reviews characterize this equipment as reliable and durable.
Ariston.
It specializes in middle-class products, offering customers functional devices at affordable prices. Also in the lines there are budget and TOP models, but their choice is not too wide.
Bosch.
One of the oldest companies on the market, specializing in gas and electric ovens. In addition to reliable functionality and visual appeal, its products are distinguished by affordable prices, since their own developments are used in production.
Gefest.
A Belarusian brand that initially occupied the niche of inexpensive and high-quality electric and gas ovens.
Zanussi.
The Italian manufacturer develops product lines for all price categories, offering customers devices of varying functionality and consistently high quality.
Candy.
The company specializes in the production of budget ovens, which in quality and cost give a head start to their closest competitors.
Miele.
The brand name is little known to a wide range of buyers - the company is focused exclusively on elite class products with appropriate quality and price. In addition to reliability and functionality, much attention is paid to how ovens will fit into the kitchen interior.
Electrolux.
One of the founders of the industry, without exaggeration, he knows everything about ovens. It puts into production exclusively its own developments, manufacturing each component independently.
Smeg.
Another representative of the few manufacturers of ovens aimed at buyers with high demands, ready to pay the appropriate money for quality and exclusivity.
These are not all well-known manufacturers - when choosing, you can also take a closer look at brands such as Hansa, Beko, Indesit, Kuppersberg, Fornelli, Maunfeld, Ardesia, Hotpoint-Ariston and others that are not included in this list, but produce ovens of decent quality.
Electric ovens in the interior
Depending on the type of model, they can be built-in or represent an independent kitchen appliance, made in a certain style and successfully complementing the interior of the kitchen work area.
Built-in cabinets are convenient to combine with kitchen furniture. Wall-mounted models are secured with brackets or installed on specially fixed heat-resistant shelves. Floor-standing models do not require additional fastening. They can be placed on the same line with a gas stove, cutting table, or installed in a niche, rationally using the space of the room.
If children are growing up in the family and it is still difficult for them to explain the dangers of handling electricity, it is reasonable to install the oven so that its panel is out of reach for little helpers. In this case, it is preferable to choose a free-standing wall-mounted model.
Built-in autonomous oven - example of location in the interior
To make the spatial solution in kitchen design comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, it is important to choose the right oven size. The depth and height of modern models of this type of household appliances, as a rule, correspond to the standards of 60x60 or 70x70 cm, but the width varies, depending on the type of oven and its design. It is worth taking measurements of the niche or space allocated for the oven to avoid unforeseen difficulties if its body turns out to be 1.5-2 cm wider.
Multifunctionality of modern models of electric ovens
The capacity of the ovens is sufficient to cook dishes on two levels simultaneously. In models with 70x70 cm standards, there are three such levels, which significantly speeds up this process. The cooking time also depends on the power of the heating element. In Bosh, Neff and Siemens models it can range from 2800 to 3860 W. When heating and changing modes during operation, ovens with more powerful heating elements quickly reach the desired temperature. This is an indisputable advantage, although electricity consumption and the load on the power grid increases significantly with increasing power.
The main criterion for choosing an oven is its functionality. In addition to the basic technical characteristics, high-quality modern ovens have additional features that make the cook’s work easier and save his time. For example, the control panel may have a dual display that includes the usual set of options and a text window that displays cooking modes for dishes that require multiple temperature changes. By choosing one of 50-60 programs, you can do other important things without worrying that the dish will burn or be damp.
A few words about gas ovens
Since the main character of the article is the oven thermostat, and gas appliances remain the most common due to the cheapness of fuel, we need to talk a little about them. The reason for this retreat is the “indecently” wide range of these units.
Types of ovens, structure and principle of operation
There are appliances that are installed separately, and ovens that are combined with the hob. Burners located inside the structure are responsible for cooking food in the oven. There are three types of heating. You can find different models on sale:
- Units with a grill - with burners located in the upper part of the cabinet.
- Standard gas stoves with normal heating. This is a classic option - burners that are located at the bottom of the cabinet.
- Convection appliances. In this case, the heating elements are also located at the bottom, but even heat distribution is ensured by the fans built into the device.
But this is not the entire list of additional devices that may be in the oven. In addition to thermal fans, the mini-oven can be equipped with:
- electric ignition;
- thermostat, automatic cleaning systems;
- timers signaling the start or end of work;
- security system that controls the flow/presence of gas.
Along with the oven, future owners receive a set of baking sheets, a roasting pan, spits, etc. If we consider all the elements, then one of the main devices is the thermostat, the task of which is simple, but the work is necessary.
Now we need to talk about the signs indicating problems with this unit. Like all structures, the thermostat also “has the right” to break. It’s quite easy to understand that something terrible has happened to the thermostat. When the appliance is faulty, the cooking time increases, the food either burns or, conversely, remains raw.
Additional functions for the electric oven
The grill is not a necessary element for the functioning of the oven, but thanks to it, an appetizing chicken or goose with apples is covered with a golden crispy crust that will not leave anyone at the table indifferent.
This same crust will be uniform if the oven is equipped with a spit, and its diagonal arrangement will allow you to cook more portions if you need to bake a chicken leg, cook a shish kebab or brown steaks.
Convection is another additional feature that simplifies the cooking process on two or three levels. The circulation of heated air promotes uniform heating and baking of dough products, and in this case meat dishes turn out juicy and tender.
You can check the degree of their readiness using a special sensor - a temperature probe, which is included as an additional element in the package of some models of high-end ovens. A function using it is necessary if it is necessary to strictly maintain the temperature range corresponding to the cooking technology.
Oven device
When looking into the oven, the user will see little. Grates, backlight, open grill heating elements and protective thermal casing. But the structure of the oven is much more complicated. The design includes a number of key components responsible for temperature formation and air circulation.
Lower heating element
All ovens have a heating element at the bottom. It is this that forms the main heat flow for cooking. This element is not visible, it is covered with a thermal casing.
Ring heating element
The ring heating element operates in convection mode. At the same time, the fan turns on, which distributes hot air throughout the entire volume of the oven. This option is not available on all cabinet models.
Upper heating element
An open top heating element is only available in ovens with a grill option. Its task is both to ensure the product is baked on all sides and to create an appetizing crust on the surface of the dish. The security system controls the operation of the upper heating element, the heater automatically turns off when the door is opened.
Mode selection block
This can be either a circular switch or an electronic program selection panel. Depending on the complexity of the oven model, the user can choose the grill mode, activate the convection system, and use other options.
Temperature regulator
In models of ovens with electronic control, the temperature can be adjusted automatically, depending on the cooking program selected by the user. It is also always possible to set the exact value. In inexpensive models, this is done with a circular regulator, a familiar handle.
Thermal casing
The task of the thermal casing, the inner walls of the oven, is not only to protect the user from the danger of touching hot heaters. This metal shell distributes heat evenly, ensuring proper cooking.
Ventilation holes
Ventilation holes paired with a fan not only remove food vapors and excessively heated air. They cool the inside of the oven by the time it is time to remove cooked food from it, for complete comfort in using the device.
The oven fan is responsible for heat distribution
Information table
The main information that is displayed on the oven display is the execution time of the specified program. When the device is not busy with its main work, the display can display a clock or other data.
Door with heat-resistant glass
The door performs several tasks at once. It closes the oven chamber and prevents heat loss. Through its transparent heat-resistant glass you can monitor the condition of your food. In addition, the door works as user protection. The contact modules built into it are monitored by the oven's safety system.
Finally, the operation of the oven is impossible without an electronic control module and numerous temperature control sensors. The level of complexity of electronic and hardware components depends on the class of the oven, its cost and the number of options offered.
Useful innovations
A convenient innovation in the latest generation of electric ovens is a retractable trolley. It extends automatically if there is a need to open the oven door to determine at what stage of cooking its contents are. You don’t have to pull out the baking tray with a potholder, risking getting burned or ruining the appearance of the dish: it’s very convenient, although it’s not cheap.
The disadvantage of electric household appliances, especially ovens, is that their body gets very hot during operation. Models equipped with a cold air wall blowing system completely eliminate this problem. The same goal is pursued by installing double or triple glass in the oven door.
An oven with a microwave function is both an oven and a microwave oven. This is convenient in all respects, including in terms of zoning the kitchen space.
Smeg ovens
We hope this article helped you decide which oven is best for you - gas or electric - and understand what characteristics you need to pay attention to when choosing equipment.
But that is not all. To be sure of the reliability of the equipment, we recommend buying an oven from a well-known brand. One of the most popular ovens among users all over the world are Smeg ovens. The well-known Italian manufacturer has been producing ovens for more than half a century, so this technology is definitely worth trusting.
Smeg ovens are not only reliable and durable, they are very beautiful. Italian technology captivates with its stylish appearance and wide range of models. You can purchase equipment for any interior, including retro style. Smeg equipment is traditionally equipped with a large number of functions. Even gas appliances, except for the lower burner, have electric heating elements, which allows the use of 7-8 modes. Many electric models have more than ten cooking functions.
To order a Smeg oven, select your favorite model from the catalog and use the convenient online service of our online store. After creating an application, the manager will contact you and place an order. Delivery of Italian ovens is carried out to any location in Russia.
Oven care
Caring for kitchen appliances and equipment sometimes takes more time than the cooking process itself. It can be very difficult to clean caked-on grease from the inside of the oven. Models with a special catalytic coating of the internal walls or a pyrolytic cleaning function simplify this task: it is enough to wipe the inside of such an oven with a damp cloth.
The peculiarity of the catalytic coating is that it is not recommended to use mechanical cleaning methods or wash it using products containing chlorine. This can hardly be considered a disadvantage if the coating is brought into perfect condition in the most uncomplicated way.
Gas ovens
In addition to being economical, gas ovens impress with their simplicity. They are chosen by housewives who have used gas-powered devices all their lives and are not eager to change anything. Indeed, why overpay for functions that you will never use. It’s better to replace your old oven with a new one and cook with even greater savings (modern gas appliances are more economical than past appliances).
You also won’t have to spend several hours learning and remembering all the modes. But don’t think that gas equipment is so primitive. If you have the desire and financial capabilities, you can buy a gas oven, which is not inferior in functionality to an electric one. But first things first.
Installation
Installation of a built-in gas oven into a set follows the same rules as installation of an electric one. The only difference is the connection, which consists of the following steps:
- connecting the device to the network;
- connection to the gas main;
- checking gas for leaks;
- equipment testing.
An attentive reader will immediately ask the question: “Why connect a gas appliance to electricity?” The fact is that all modern gas-powered ovens are equipped with electric ignition, which turns on when electric current is supplied. In addition, gas ovens, in addition to the main burner, may have additional electric heating elements. If the equipment is equipped with a convection fan, microwave and grill, you will have to lay separate wiring from the switchboard and install an RCD. If you only have electric ignition, a regular grounded socket is sufficient.
Connecting the equipment to the gas main must only be carried out by an employee of the appropriate service. Gas is asphyxiating and explosive, so installing a gas oven yourself can lead to disastrous consequences. It is for this reason that we will not describe the connection process in detail; we will only note the main points that you should pay attention to. The equipment is connected to the gas main using a bellows hose or a non-flexible copper or steel pipe with a diameter of ½ inch. When connecting using a bellows pipe, make sure that it is not pinched or comes into contact with moving objects.
Try not to use too many adapters. Ideally, there should be only two of them - on the valve and at the entrance to the oven. The length of the pipe should not exceed 2 meters, and it is highly undesirable to extend the hose. After connecting, check for gas leaks. To do this, you can use a sponge with soapy water and lubricate the pipe and connection points. If the foam does not bubble, then there is no leak, and the equipment can be put into operation.
Features of gas ovens
Let's move on to consider the functions of gas ovens. The simplest devices have one lower burner and are equipped with a mechanical flame intensity regulator. For many users, this is quite enough, since such technical capabilities are sufficient for preparing most traditional dishes.
If your culinary preferences are not limited to baking potatoes, meat or cooking dishes in pots, it is better to purchase an oven with a grill, which can be either gas or electric. There are ovens with convection and a timer, and most models are equipped with a gas control function that will shut off the gas supply if the flame suddenly goes out. Like electric ovens, gas-powered units can use a spit to roast large pieces of meat. In a word, advanced gas models are not much inferior in functionality to electric ones.
Brand is a guarantee of quality. Is it so?
Of course, additional equipment for the oven is reflected in its cost. The price range also depends on other factors: the type of heating element, the timer model, the use of a catalytic coating of internal surfaces or the pyrolytic cleaning function of the oven, as well as the design of the front panel.
The quality of any household appliance is determined by its durability, reliability and safety in use. Electric ovens are not the most complex technical designs, but their quality also determines the level of culture in our everyday life. It follows from this that it is still better to purchase not simplified cheap models, but products from manufacturers with a time-tested reputation. Well-known brands Bosh, Gaggenau, Neff or Miele, Siemens are a kind of sign of the quality of equipment that facilitates everyday worries about comfort in the home and food on the table.
Electric ovens produced under these brands will last for many years and, if used correctly, will not cause any hassle with repairs or forced replacement. They are quite expensive, but if you buy high-quality multifunctional kitchen equipment, there will be no need to spend additional money on equipment that duplicates the functions already included in it. For example, a set of a gas stove and an electric oven with a microwave function from Bosh will fully satisfy the need for equipment designed for heat treatment of products; There is no need to buy a microwave or gas oven.
In addition, the design developed by one company will harmoniously appear in the appliances of the general line if they are selected in accordance with a certain style of design of the kitchen or dining area.
Technical and warranty documents for the oven
The warranty period for ovens is set by the manufacturer. For high and middle class household appliances it is five years. Sales representatives involved in the sale of this type of product take on additional obligations guaranteeing free service and repair of electric ovens for a year from the date of sale.
For models manufactured by Neff and Siemens equipped with electronic control panels, this period is extended by two years, Bosh and Miele – by three. But even under such comfortable conditions for the consumer, the model you like must be carefully examined. It should not have visible defects: scratches, cracks, dents, body defects that sometimes occur during transportation.
After a visual inspection, you should study the technical data sheet of the model. It contains complete information about its configuration, characteristics, installation and operation rules. The sales manager is required to explain the decoding of the technical codes recorded in the passport. The codes indicate information about the class of the model, its electronic equipment, functions, the working volume of the oven, the quality of the internal and external coating of the walls, and even the color of the product.
Choosing household appliances is not an easy task, but if it is done correctly, taking into account all the technical nuances, there will be no problems with its operation.
