| An oven is one of the most common kitchen appliance | | | | and control the functions and operations of your oven, |
| that is used in various forms of cooking, such as the | | | | which can be any of the following:Analog - mechanical |
| following:Heating | | | | switches that use knobs. Are less expensive but more |
| Baking | | | | durable; can also be less precise, since everything is |
| Broiling | | | | set manually. |
| RoastingOvens are generally grouped into 2 common | | | | Digital - electronically-controlled push buttons. The |
| kinds: gas ovens and electric ovens. Then there are | | | | most common nowadays, they can be more |
| also microwave ovens (uses microwave radiation to | | | | expensive and less durable; but they have more |
| cook or heat food) and convection ovens (uses a | | | | accurate and precise settings, since everything is set |
| circulating fan to move hot air around the food inside | | | | automatically.Different ovens have various (and |
| the oven).With this range of choices, not to mention the | | | | sometimes complicated) control panels, but all of them |
| variety of features and designs available in ovens, | | | | generally include these basic components:Clock or |
| shopping for one can be a difficult task. Below are | | | | timer displays - properly sets the length of time for |
| some guidelines that you need to consider - helpful | | | | cooking |
| hints that will help you buy the right oven.1. The location. | | | | Temperature settings - allows you to set the |
| Whether 'freestanding' (set in a range) or 'built-in' in | | | | temperature for cooking. |
| walls (known as wall ovens), make sure that you | | | | Thermostat - senses and maintains a set |
| measure the size of the oven against the location | | | | temperature to stop or further the flow of heat. This |
| where you plan to have it installed. The location should | | | | prevents an overcooked food and an overheated |
| not only have enough space; it should also be sturdy | | | | oven. |
| enough to support the unit.2. The capacity. The "actual" | | | | Oven light - enables you to see the interior of the |
| size of the oven is defined by its capacity. The oven | | | | oven to check the status of the food the you are |
| capacity refers to the amount of food or the size of | | | | cooking.4. Additional components. Some ovens may |
| the container that it can hold. The 'size', therefore, that | | | | come with additional components, such as the |
| you need to consider when buying an oven is the size | | | | following:Oven rack - allows you to place more than |
| of its interior (the cavity). Note that some ovens seem | | | | one dish in the oven at the same time; should be thick |
| large on the outside but are actually smaller | | | | and durable. |
| inside.There are many things to consider when deciding | | | | Rotisserie - a removable grill with a turning spit; for |
| on a particular oven capacity to buy. Some of them | | | | better and uniform grilling.5. The add-on features. In |
| are the following:Family size:The amount of food you | | | | addition to the basic functions, most ovens today are |
| need to cook at one time (i.e., the oven capacity) | | | | designed with additional (and advanced) features, |
| depends on the number of people in your family. | | | | some of which are as follows:Clear-view window - it |
| Below are some of the recommended oven capacity | | | | enables you to watch the cooking process without |
| (in liters) for various family sizes (denoted by the | | | | having to open the door. |
| number of members):2 members - less than 29 liters | | | | Self-cleaning option - found at the control panel, |
| 4 members - 20 to 29 liters | | | | pushing this button enables the oven to clean itself. |
| 6 members - more than 30 litersUsage:The oven | | | | Lockout feature - can be a button in the control panel |
| capacity should also depend on how you intend to use | | | | or a door lock switch, it prevents misuse or unintended |
| the oven. An oven that will be used for actual and all | | | | and accidental operations, especially when cleaning the |
| types of cooking will naturally require a higher capacity | | | | control panel or when there are children in the house.6. |
| than that which shall be used as a mere supplement | | | | The price. Of course, everything is greatly affected by |
| (such as defrosting or reheating food).Cookware:Make | | | | the price, so it is important for you to set the amount |
| sure that the dishes (such as baking sheet, pan, and | | | | that you would like to spend.With these guidelines, you |
| other cookware) that you regularly use will fit | | | | will surely be able to find the oven that is perfect for |
| comfortably (and circulate freely) inside the oven.3. | | | | your money's worth. |
| The controls.The control panel is where you manage | | | | |