Appliances, Equipment and Utensils

2.2. Cooking and Cooling Appliances

1.       Ovens: An oven is a thermally insulated container that is used to cook food. It is one of the most important appliances in the kitchen. Ovens come in many different shapes and forms, and make use of different types of energy sources to generate heat – from electricity to gas, fire to radiation.

2.       Stove-tops: Many ovens come fitted with stove-tops. Electrical stove-tops can be made from metal, ceramic or glass and are usually flat and solid, but sometimes in the shape of a coil. Gas versions have burners on the stove top, and make temperature control easier by being able to view and adjust the strength of the open flame.

 

3.       Fryers: Fryers are devices that are used to cook food by immersing it in hot oil.

 

 

4.       Boilers and brewers: Boilers are appliances that have been specifically designed to heat liquid (usually water) or bring it to the boil by means of a furnace. Brewers relate specifically to making coffee, where hot water is infused with ground coffee beans. Brewers can also be used to describe appliances that are used in making tea and beer.

 

5.       Automated cookers: Automated cookers are those appliances which have been designed to cook food (in various methods) using a heat source, a container and a thermostat which (which usually runs on a timer).

6.       Hot surface cookers: A wide range of appliances can be used to cook food by applying dry heat directly to the food surface. Hot surfaces are usually made out of stainless steel, ceramic or glass and allow food to sit on top, beneath or sandwiched in between until cooked.

 

7.       Smokers & steamers: Smokers are appliances used to cook and enhance flavors by exposing food to smoke. Different types of wood are burned to infuse the food (usually meat or fish) with interesting aromas that can alter the taste of the food. Steamers, on the other hand, circulate hot steam around the cooking compartment in order to cook food.

 

8.       Roasters & toasters: Roasters are various types of appliances that are used to rotate food and expose it to dry, hot air – usually from an open flame - so that it cooks evenly throughout. Toasters are electrical appliances that expose food – like bread and other baked goods - to radiant heat, browning and crisping the surface of the food in the process.

 

9.       Heating: Some appliances are not necessarily intended to cook food, but to rather keep food warm before serving. Usually, food should only be heated once after it has been cooked so as to reduce the chances of it spoiling and causing food poisoning.

 

10.   Cold storage: Most kitchens are fitted with appliances that serve to keep food cool or frozen. Cold storage helps to prevent food contamination by preserving fresh food for extended periods of time.