Friday, 6 July 2012

Aren't All Oven Gloves The Same?

Le Creuset Textiles Iron Handle Glove, Black

By Owen D Dee
Sometimes, you'll find it silly when the subject about different types of oven gloves is discussed. After all, the entire purpose of these items is to protect your hands from hot dishes and baking pans when getting them out of the oven, and so, how can you have different types of oven mitts, then? Yes, you can just alter the basic design of oven gloves as they can also affect their real purpose, but you have to know that the difference of these gloves lie on the different materials that can be used to create them.

Originally, oven mitts were made out of heavy cloth and were in the basic shape of a hand and usually, there weren't individual coverings for each finger; instead, the four fingers shared the large opening inside the glove, while the thumb slipped down into a separate area to make it easy to grab onto pans and baking sheets. However, the problem with cloth oven mitts was that they had to be made out of fairly thick material in order to block most of the heat, and the thickness made it hard to hold on to some things.

Today, neoprene, the material used to make wetsuits are already used to make oven gloves and they are indeed effective in protecting the hand from heat up to 204.4 degrees Celsius but not bulky enough to make holding on to things hard. This is a non-slip material, has no seams and is easy to wash so that means you can get a good hold on glass pans that don't have handles, you can put your hand in hot liquid without fear of burning or seeping and you won't have a hard time trying to clean these mitts.

Of course, who could forget silicone oven mitts or mitts made of silicone, a very popular material commonly used in bake ware like silicone pans and baking sheets. This rubbery type of material can indeed help you get a good grip on your pans, is even better than neoprene when it comes to handing hotter temperatures as they can be used in temperatures up to 260 degrees Celsius. Silicone gloves are also as safe as neoprene because they also feature no seams so you can reach inside hot liquids as well as they are also dishwasher safe.

Finally, the hybrid  Oven Gauntlets & Mitts out there are known to be made out of terry cloth of quilted materials but they are just coated with a silicone spray so they have non-stick properties and they help you grip better, but in terms of heat resistance, they don't really do much more than traditional gloves.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Owen_D_Dee
http://EzineArticles.com/?Arent-All-Oven-Gloves-The-Same?&id=6841872


Anti Burn Kevlar Oven Gloves (549) - Gives heat protection upto 350o F.




Third time lucky!

Russell Hobbs 13824-10 Mini Kitchen with Convection Oven and 2 Hot Plates 3000 W


By Peter
As I have had two of these ovens previously (not from Amazon) I trawled through all the options available to see if I could make a change to another product; the reason being that the oven thermostat on the the first appliance gave up within the guarantee period; the second appliance lasted longer but the thermostat started to malfunction; the oven ran too hot and came on when switches were on zero. However, I should add that the appliances were extensively used. My research did not offer anything that I thought would be a suitable replacement, so I am in again!

Improvements have been made, the top/grill element is more substantial. The handle is a better design and the base feet are more solid. The oven light is controlled on the switch rather than being on all the time if the oven is plugged in. I have always been delighted with roasting and baking results from the oven. Cakes are perfect every time. The fan operation is a bonus and it may be the only mini oven to have this facility. 

The interior is surprisingly roomy and will accommodate a good free range chicken, or equivalent. Prospective purchasers should note that mini ovens are flimsier than normal ovens and discolouring of the enamel surface, especially around the door, is more prevalent. In order to deal with this I would recommend running the oven on slightly lower temperatures but for slightly longer periods. 

Also, the sort of person who only cleans an oven once a year (whether it needs it, or not!) will benefit from a more regular wipe around - after all, no bending required as it is often on a worktop. On that note, if you are vertically challenged please note that the hotplates (which function very well) will make saucepan stirring quite a high altitude activity. Lower surfaces will obviously be the solution here. 


When cleaning the exterior, you have to be careful around the dials as the symbols and number transfers can easily be wiped off. Please note that packing can be a bit hit and miss.I had oven racks missing from appliance number two and no oven tray or instructions in the current model. However, Amazon simply replace the whole works as there is not a facility for sending individual parts. Russell Hobbs also do not do parts but have a help line and can deal with queries. They also offer, I believe, an extension to the guarantee period and a refurbishment service. On the topic of parts, it is a little annoying that there is no facility for the user to change the oven light bulb when it invariably blows. 

However, it should last longer because it is now easier to control. If you do not have room for a large cooker and would prefer traditional cooking over microwave then you will be very pleased with this sort of appliance. It is also quicker and more economical than heating up a larger oven. It probably will not last as long as a more expensive, substantial oven but with care, and a happy thermostat, should give reasonable service. Happy baking!

ADDITIONAL COMMENT!

I am sorry, readers, it was not third time lucky! The oven thermostat failed again and the appliance was returned after about seven months, under guarantee, via long-suffering Amazon. I had, in any case, reduced my optimistic 4* to 3* as the oven was already showing too many signs of wear. In particular, dial information being wiped off, despite taking great care; it is a difficult appliance to clean easily. Please now see comments related to the Igenix 42 litre mini oven on this, and other detail.

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

Krups Convection Toaster Oven - If You Are Looking for a New Convection Oven


Multi Function Mini Oven (852) Ideal for caravans, students or small spaces.
Multi Function Mini Oven (852) Ideal for caravans, students or small spaces. Krups Convection Toaster Oven - If You Are Looking for a New Convection Oven


By Dananjika Dilrukshi Liyanage


Krups Convection Toaster Oven is a state of the art kitchen appliance by Krups, the leaders of home appliances. Established in 1826, Krups a German firm is known for its quality kitchen appliances all over the world. Smart design, innovative technology and easy to use functions are some characteristics of Krups' appliances

The Krups Convection Toaster Oven performs the functions of broiling, toasting, defrosting and convection baking. With 0.59 cubic ft capacity, it is quite spacious and can accommodate 6 slices at a time. Whether you want to thaw frozen food or prepare quick snacks or cook a meal, Krups gets everything done in a jiffy.

Krups Convection Toaster Ovens feature a convection fan which circulates warm air in the oven for quick and uniform cooking. The consistency of temperature is one of the plus points of this appliance as is the accuracy of temperature control.

"What the eyes admire, your heart desires"; this is especially true for these toasters from Krups which are housed in stainless brushed steel bodies sleek and are not only sturdy but also quite attractive. They go well with all types of kitchens. They are not only energy efficient but are also great space savers because of their compact size. The control panel is illuminated and comprises of user friendly controls and soft, easy to press buttons. The LCD display performs the dual function of a digital clock when the oven is not being used.
Krups has implemented its Quartz Cycling Technology in its toaster ovens. 

The two sets of heating elements situated above and below are alternately heated by the quartz cycling technology this produces maximum heat and reduces the cooking time considerably. The crumb tray not only collects the food residues but its stainless steel surface also acts as a reflector so that the food gets enough heat from all angles. For hassle free cleaning, you can slide out the crumb tray and non stick interior can be easily wiped clean. For the consumers' convenience, Krups has added adjustable racks which can be set in four positions. With the Electronic Thermostat, you can control the temperature ranging from 100 to 450 �F.

Another plus point of Krups oven is its noise free operation; it does not make that irritating sound when functioning like most ovens. It however beeps rather loudly at the end of the cycle, a feature some consumers find quite annoying. The unit comes with a broil tray, non-stick bake pan and a pair of thermal resistant tongs to remove hot food.

Krups has also introduced Krups Convection Digital Toaster Oven which has additional features such as 6 preset cooking functions and 9 levels for toasting. It also gives you complete control over temperature which you can set anywhere between 150 to 450 �F.

Like other appliances, Krups toaster oven offers a one year warranty on its convection toaster ovens. The Convection Ovens from Krups are stylish and sleek, efficient and great savers of your precious time and energy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dananjika_Dilrukshi_Liyanage 
http://EzineArticles.com/?Krups-Convection-Toaster-Oven---If-You-Are-Looking-for-a-New-Convection-Oven&id=5731987 

Friday, 22 June 2012

3 Tips for Cooking in a Convection Toaster Oven

 


By Low Jeremy
Compact, efficient, cheap and easy to use. These are just a few of the reason from the top of my head why households today still buy and use toaster ovens. In the past the huge full-size ovens had an advantage but today's technology have made countertop ovens capable of baking, toasting and broiling just as good as their big brother counterparts. New toaster ovens today are equipped with convection technology which allows better and faster cooking time.

Among the advantages of a convection toaster oven is its ability to cook more evenly, cook using lower temperature settings and finish over a shorter period of time. With these new toaster ovens you get better results more consistently. However, since a convection toaster oven is a relatively new technology than the over toasters of old, you will need to learn some new cooking techniques. But let's start off with just three.

One of the first and most important tip for cooking in a convection toaster oven is to: READ the MANUAL. This is one of the most common mistakes people do when they buy a new appliance or gadget. They take the manual out of the box and return it without a second look. They feel they can operate everything on the fly. However, with toast ovens equipped with convection technology it would be wise to read the manual so you can get the specific settings for your favorite recipes. Since the features of the oven can be used differently for each recipe, it would be best to familiarize yourself with your toaster's features, controls, capabilities, limitations etc.

The second cooking tip is using your toaster oven for roasting. Make sure that you roast the meat using the same temperature but cooking it only half the time indicated in the recipe. The reason behind the halved time is that the toaster oven is smaller and the convection process actually reduces the overall cooking time. It is best that when roasting, you use a meat thermometer to double check if the meat is done. As you might already know, the heat generated from the convection process is ideal for roasting potatoes and other vegetables.

The third tip is for baking. Yes you can bake with a convection toaster oven but it would be best to lower the temperature indicated in your recipes by about 25�F. Don't reduce the cooking time, only the temperature. As for baking tools, bright aluminum or steel pans will be great for cakes and cookies. The shiny surface of the pans will reflect the heat allowing the oven to produce better looking pastries. However, breads and pies will require dull, steel pans so the heat is absorbed more for better tasting crusts.

These are the top three tips but I would like to add a couple of safety tips when using a convection toaster oven as well. When buying one look for a model that have an automatic shut-off feature for added safety. Be sure to always unplug the oven after each use. It would be best to avoid using metal utensils inside of a toaster oven and finally keep the oven clean and make sure crumbs, food bits and drippings don't collect on the bottom.

Want to make your cooking easier? Why not take a look at how 4 slice toasters and the hamilton beach toaster can help you cook up different recipes! Low Jeremy is a freelance writer who writes regularly on topics like health, parenting and product reviews for websites.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy
http://EzineArticles.com/?3-Tips-for-Cooking-in-a-Convection-Toaster-Oven&id=6733873

Click to>>>>>Microwave ovens

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Bestselling Convection Toaster Ovens






Problem Door 23 Jan 2008
By P. Ferguson
The door of this mini oven has a tendency to jam for no reason.
From day one it needed to be gently manipulated from side to side to open it. Today, only one week after receiving it, the door jammed completely and I was unable to retrieve the meal which had been cooked in it. I am returning it as defective.
The oven otherwise performed well and is certainly deep enough but is not as high as others I have owned. It just about fits a 3 lb chicken. I doubt it would fit a 6lb turkey as advertised.

Compact and practical 26 July 2009
By Mrs. C. Stowey
I am extremely pleased with my new De'Longhi EO1200W Mini Oven with Pizza Bulge, l.4kw.
For a portable oven it is extremely versatile, grills, roasts, bakes and warms plates on top, as my Aga is off for the summer it is a good substitute. Perfect for finishing off an omlette under the grill to make it nice and fluffy and sponges are beautiful.

Sunday, 17 June 2012

Fan Assisted Ovens - A Beginner's Guide


By Benjamin Fox

When you burn your finger you blow on it to cool it down so it is counter intuitive that putting a fan in an oven will make it hotter. This article is a beginner's guide to fan assisted ovens. It does not include product recommendations but should help you understand how these devices work and provide insight into whether they are right for you.


How it works
When you cook on a hob heat is transferred from an energy source (the flame if you are cooking with gas) via conduction. This means that the hobs gets hot which makes the pan get hot which in turn makes the food get hot. When you cook in an oven you are working in a different way. The heat source is actually warming the food by transferring energy to the air and it is the air which warms the food.

Warm air will naturally rise, this is known as convection. Conventional ovens rely on convection to move hot air around and keep a constant flow of heat going into food. The problem with this is that hot air will pool in the top of the cavity and end up heating the roof of the oven. This means that in order for the whole of the oven to be filled with hot air you first need to pre-heat the metal sides in order to stop them from soaking the energy out of the air.

A fan-assisted oven (which is confusingly also known as a convection oven) forces air from the heat source directly into the centre of the cooking space so that anything placed there gets hot. Energy is still transferred from the air to the walls but because the fan is constantly forcing hot air in and around the cavity it maintains a steady temperature.

What this means
1. Fan assisted ovens do not need preheating - Because the fan forces hot air directly into the cooking area a fan assisted oven either takes no, or very little, time to preheat.

2. Fan assisted units provide even cooking - As both hot and cold air are pushed around the cavity the difference between the warmest and coldest places is reduced.

3. Fan assisted cooking is quicker - Because they transfer energy more efficiently than regular machines they give the same results at a lower temperature and in less time. This is can be useful but it is also the reason why so many people end up burning their food when using a fan assisted oven.

Ben is a copywriter for the UK's largest online retailer of ovens and other kitchen appliances.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Benjamin_Fox
http://EzineArticles.com/?Fan-Assisted-Ovens---A-Beginners-Guide&id=4665525

Click to>>>>>>>>>>>>Installed Ovens