Ovens

The history of ovens spans several centuries and generations. From the first brick ovens used by the Greeks, which baked bread crudely using wood fire or charcoal left burning at the top and on the bottom – to the modern microwave ovens, convection ovens, toaster ovens, and the dutch oven. Ovens have really come a long way and evolved into one of the most indispensable kitchen fixtures.

Microwave Oven

Let's begin with microwave ovens. Some regard this discovery as the greatest invention next to fire. Well, they couldn't be more right. Although the first models of the microwave oven failed to get the acclaim of homeowners due to its gigantic size (at 5' and 6" tall), weight (750 pounds), and price (almost $5,000) – it nonetheless was a valuable addition to restaurants and railroad cars that cooked food in large quantities.

How Do Microwave Ovens Work?

When Dr. Perry Spencer, in a Raytheon laboratory in 1946, passed by an electromagnetic emitting power tube, he knew the electromagnetic waves were responsible for melting his candy bar. Microwave ovens use this energy through microwaves so as to produce heat. Microwaves penetrate the food you cook, the plastic and paper containers, and initiate the rapid vibrating of food particles.

Today, the microwave oven is a staple among many American households and has greatly improved the cooking process.

Convection Oven

Convection ovens are another invaluable discovery of the 20th century. Unlike the convention oven used chiefly for baking and broiling, convention ovens utilize a fan to circulate hot air within the oven. Using this method, food is cooked quickly and evenly in low heat. This makes it possible to cook several batches of cookies uniformly, for instance, without the worry of burning the top shelf.

Convection ovens are sometimes referred to as institutional ovens because of their popularity in large institutions and commercial settings, but many homeowners are already considering them for residential use.

Dutch Oven

Dutch ovens are perfect for cooking in outdoor activities, for which they are often called camping ovens. A dutch oven is typically a cooking pot made from cast iron or aluminum with a thick wall and a tight-fitting heavy lid. It can be used to bake or cook almost any dishes from soups, meats, breads, deserts, or whatever you feel like cooking during a camping trip. It allows campers to consume freshly cooked, hot meals even when they're far from home.

Dutch ovens have three legs used for balance. The leg height and raised edge for the lid are crucial factors since Dutch ovens need to sit on the coals of a fire, and at the same time have coals placed on top.

Toaster Ovens

Toaster ovens, from the name itself, is unlike the other types of ovens since it functions mainly for toasting, heating, melting, or thawing doods such as breads, quickmelt cheese, butter, or toasting hotdogs in a high, fixed temperature. Toaster ovens mostly use ceramic heating systems located at the ceiling and bottom of the oven, to heat food at a maximum of only a few minutes, depending on the maximum time specified in the control knob. You must take care not to toast food for several minutes; otherwise, it will definitely burn.

Easy Bake Oven

Baking food in ovens can be delightful for little girls who want to emulate their mother baking their favorite pastry. Luckily, mothers no longer have to worry about their children ever touching a hot surface of an oven. Ever since designers at Kenner Products invented easy bake ovens in 1963, it has continuously delighted little girls of all ages and became a household name.

Baking and cooking foods inside ovens provides homeowners with the alternative on how to create a scrumptious gourmet, hors d'oeuvre, appetizers, etc. These kitchen appliances are definitely here to stay.