Cooking techniques are the toolbox that lets anyone turn raw veggies, meat, or grains into tasty meals. Also known as culinary methods, they cover everything from quick stir‑fry to slow‑cook oven roasts. When you understand how heat, moisture, and timing interact, you can pick the right tool for the job and avoid waste. That’s why the type of appliance matters: a oven, a sealed cavity that provides even, controllable heat for baking or roasting excels at dry‑heat methods like baking and roasting, while a gas hob, a stovetop with open flames that lets you sear, sauté, and simmer with instant temperature changes shines for wet‑heat and high‑heat techniques. Knowing which device delivers the right temperature profile lets you master methods such as sautéing, braising, or broiling without guessing. The right combination of method and equipment not only boosts flavor but also saves energy and cuts down cooking time.
Heat transfer is the core of every cooking technique, and the appliance you choose dictates how that heat reaches your food. An extractor fan, a ventilation unit that pulls steam, smoke, and odors away from the kitchen plays a silent but crucial role by keeping the cooking environment comfortable and safe, especially when you’re grilling indoors or using high‑heat stovetop methods. For example, when you sear a steak on a gas hob, the fan removes excess grease fumes, preventing them from coating walls and reducing fire risk. When you bake a loaf of bread in the oven, the fan clears rising steam, preserving clear sightlines and preventing humidity from affecting neighboring appliances. Understanding these relationships—how a fan supports dry‑heat roasting or a hob supports rapid boiling—helps you plan kitchen layouts and choose the right tools for each technique.
Beyond heat, timing and moisture control define the success of a technique. A slow‑cook roast in the oven relies on low, steady temperatures over hours, while a quick sauté on the hob demands high heat for just minutes. Each method also has safety checkpoints: keep the extractor fan running to avoid grease buildup, never leave a gas hob unattended, and ensure the oven door seals properly to maintain temperature consistency. Regular maintenance of these appliances—cleaning the oven’s heating elements, checking the hob’s burners, and servicing the fan’s filter—keeps your techniques reliable day after day. When appliances are in good shape, you can experiment with advanced methods like sous‑vide style low‑temp cooking using the oven’s warm setting, or flambé on the hob without worrying about flare‑ups that a malfunctioning fan might otherwise exacerbate.
Below you’ll find a curated collection of articles that dive deep into the nuts and bolts of each appliance, compare repair versus replacement costs, and give actionable tips for getting the most out of your kitchen. Whether you’re troubleshooting an oven that won’t heat, choosing the right extractor fan, or learning how a gas hob can extend the life of your favorite dishes, the resources ahead will equip you with the knowledge to make confident, cost‑effective decisions and keep your cooking techniques firing on all cylinders.
Pressure cookers are a handy tool in many home kitchens, yet they rarely make an appearance in professional chefs' kitchens. This article explores the reasons behind this trend, discussing chefs' preferred cooking techniques and equipment. It delves into the technical and creative aspects of cooking that make other methods more appealing. Readers will gain insights into traditional versus modern techniques, and learn why chefs often choose alternative tools to achieve culinary perfection.
