Design
The retro design imitates old kitchen appliances.
Retro cookers are often equipped with details of an unusual, fanciful shape; brass, bronze and other similar materials are widely used. At the same time, in terms of functionality, such models are quite modern and
match the classic-looking cookers. Note that retro design is not cheap, so it makes sense to pay attention to such stoves only if the distinctive appearance is fundamentally important and you are ready to pay extra for it.
Number of cooking modes
It is the number of cooking modes provided in the design of the oven. This item shows the typical cooking modes — for example, “heating”, “heating + convection”, etc. Accordingly, this parameter is highly dependent on additional equipment. However, even in similar models, the number of modes may be different. In general, the more there are, the more opportunities for cooking, and the easier it will be to choose the optimal mode for a specific situation.
Guides
Type of tray guides provided in the oven.
— Frame. The simplest guides are made in the form of a fixed grid, and sometimes in the form of slots in the walls of the oven. They are quite practical and inexpensive, due to which they are used in the vast majority of ovens. The main disadvantage of the lattice guides can be called the fact that the baking sheet moves rather tightly in them, especially if the oven has not been cleaned for some time and the guides are dirty.
—
Telescopic. Guides in the form of retractable tray support based on telescopic rails. When removing the baking sheet, the mechanism moves apart, and the stand, rolling on a special roller, “leaves” the oven. The main advantage of the "telescopic rails over the classic frame guides is that you do not need to make much effort to install and remove the baking sheet — it will move very easily. On the other hand, such devices are more expensive and more complicated than classic frame guides; as they get dirty, their efficiency drops noticeably, and dirt can completely disable the mechanism. In light of all this, manufacturers most often use telescopic rails not as the main option but as an addition to the frame guides described above. If telescopic guides are initially indicated in the specs of the stove, this usually means that the oven with traditional frame guides is additionally equipped with removable telescopic guides. These advanced telescopic rails ca
...n be easily set at the desired level and removed for cleaning.
Many ovens, initially equipped only with frame guides, can be equipped with telescopic rails, purchased separately.Door closer
Such a device is responsible for pulling the door when closing and, in some models when opening. The idea is that the user does not need to close/open the door completely — pull it to the right place, and then the door will be "picked up" by the
door closer and smoothly brought to a fully open or closed state. Such a system eliminates the risk of leaving the oven not completely closed and prolongs the life span of the device.
Child lock
A security measure that allows you to block the controls of the stove. It will be useful in families with small children: when the lock is on, a curious child will not be able to turn on the stove or change settings. To unlock, one needs to perform certain actions, which are easy for an adult and too complex for a child: for example, you need to press two specific buttons simultaneously.
Automatic switch-off
The type of automatic switch-off provided in the design of the stove.
Auto-off can be provided
for the hob(hob),
for the oven, or for both at once, regardless of whether the hob and oven are gas or electric. This function is implemented through a timer, after which the device turns off.
Display
A display on the stove control panel. Usually, it is a very simple one-colour display : 3-4 digits plus a few additional characters (for example, a thermometer icon and a clock icon). However, even on such a display, almost all important information related to the stove operation can be displayed: heating temperature, clock, timer settings, and other relevant data. Thus, the display significantly simplifies the management of the stove and makes it more convenient.
For technical reasons, this function is mainly used in electric stoves; there are also gas models with displays, but they are extremely few.
Lid
The lid plays an important role in the design of any stove. Firstly, when open, it protects the wall from dirt and splashed grease during cooking or heating food. And secondly, in the closed position, the lid facilitates cleaning in the kitchen, preventing the possibility of aggressive detergent chemicals getting on the surface of the hob.
— Glass. Glass lids are more aesthetically pleasing. Plus, they are easy to keep clean. The drawback of glass lids is a frequent need to care for the surface of the lid since traces of dirt and stains are clearly visible on it.
— Metal. Metal covers have durability and good resistance to mechanical damage. On the body of the stove, they are fixed by using special hinges.
