Here's how to go about it.
“The oven” has undergone tremendous development over the years, meaning that we can now distinguish between many different types and functions – so when it comes to choosing the right oven, we are spoilt for choice. We’re exploring why and how we actually end up baking our dishes these days.
Nowadays, the oven is one of the key appliances in any kitchen. In principle, however, stoves have been around ever since fire was first discovered. The stone oven is a type of oven that has been in use for a very long time: A dome-shaped structure that retains the heat from the burnt-out embers perfectly, making it ideal for baking bread, for example.
Baking and cooking over an open fire led to many fires – a safer solution had to be found. The first enclosed stove, with a firebox recessed beneath a hob, was invented in 1735, but did not yet become widespread. The first mass-produced portable ovens, which were still wood-fired, probably date back to 1851. Gradually, appliances that could run on gas or oil were introduced. However, cooking and baking with these inventions still led to frequent accidents in the home.
It was not until the 1930s that the electric oven began to gain widespread acceptance, and it became increasingly popular as the electricity grid was expanded. Whilst the hob and oven used to be combined in a single cooker, in modern kitchens these two appliances are usually fitted separately. Nowadays, ovens are increasingly being installed at working height, which makes them easier to use from an ergonomic point of view.
The most common types of oven today that are worth considering when planning a kitchen:
The different types differ in terms of their functions, which allow for different cooking results.
The gas oven is powered by gas and is mainly found in motorhomes, campervans, on boats or in homes with a relatively limited electricity supply or a natural gas connection. With this type of oven, you cannot set different baking programmes. It is therefore quite difficult to set the correct temperature and heat setting for baking.
The most common type of oven is the electric oven. Electric ovens have a wide range of functions. The best-known ones are top and bottom heat, fan-assisted cooking and a grill function. Some appliances also feature special programmes, such as a bread-baking or pizza-baking setting. Electric ovens allow you to set the desired temperature precisely, even at low temperatures, and are quite intuitive to use.
Ovens with a steam function usually have the standard settings such as top and bottom heat and fan-assisted cooking, but also allow for gentle steaming of dishes by automatically spraying steam into the cooking chamber. Depending on the oven, the water enters the oven cavity either via a recess in the oven floor, a water tank or a fixed water connection.
The BORA X BO combines a steamer and an oven in a single appliance, so you can cook with or without added moisture, as you prefer. The BORA X BO is a true all-rounder: Thanks to its innovative steam technology and intuitive controls, it delivers perfect results – juicy, tender and crispy. Inspired by haute cuisine, BORA X BO brings professional-grade kitchen technology into the home.
Despite the features of a professional steam oven, the ease of use of the BORA X BO is particularly worth highlighting: The system is controlled via a large, clear and fold-away 19-inch touchscreen display. The touchscreen is just as responsive to touch as you’d expect from a smartphone. Numerous pre-set or manually operated programmes and functions make it easier to use the appliance and turn cooking into a breeze.
As well as being easy to use, it is also worth mentioning the automatic steam extraction before the oven door is opened – this means that annoying misted-up glasses and steam in your face are now a thing of the past. Optimal heat distribution across all three levels of the X BO ensures consistent cooking results, whilst the automatic cleaning programme offers added convenience. Not to be overlooked is the elegant design, which makes the X BO a real eye-catcher in any kitchen.
“This is what the future feels like,” says Michelin-starred chef Johann Lafer of the X BO’s controls.
