Oven: I take control

Once upon a time, when electrical appliances didn’t exist and furnace maintenance was physically demanding, there was no control panel at all.

A man used to control the process “manually”: to make fire, put wood in the stove, stir coals with the poker, etc.d. It wasn’t easy work.

Now management of the oven is a purely intellectual and simple task, although the technique itself has become much more complicated. A modern oven is a whole heating pad, with well thought-out ways of thermal influence on food.

A variety of temperature modes, different combinations of heating elements allow you to use the oven to solve a variety of culinary problems: from defrosting to meringue cooking and baking large pieces of meat.

But in addition to thinking about the internal structure of ovens, manufacturers have to solve the difficult problem of how to design the control panel, so that every housewife could easily understand the symbols and signs, and without straining, would operate a complex multifunctional device.

At the same time the control panel should be beautiful, because now the housewives are fastidious people, it is not enough just to have convenient buttons, it is important that these buttons are good.

What does the vestigial display tell you?

The control panel has controls that control the main functions of the device. In electric ovens, this most often means operating mode selection, temperature, timer, indicators. In the case of a dependent oven, it also indicates the burner power level.

There is also an LCD display. It is used to indicate the time, i.e. it works like a clock when the stove is at rest. During the cooking cycle, the display can show the cooking mode as an icon, the oven temperature, the name of the automatic mode or its symbol pie, fish, chicken .

The electronics can engage in a sort of dialogue with the user, informing him about the best cooking temperature, the most suitable utensils and accessories, and even giving examples of different dishes. It is clear that this is a privilege of quite expensive equipment. Text information is not always available in American. Sometimes housewives have to get used to the German or English terms.

Many more models use the display to show the cooking cycle time. Time can be displayed literally or as a countdown, if the user wishes, to know exactly how many minutes remain until the end of cooking. Some displays can show all the time information at once. And that’s why they show the actual time, cooking cycle time, and the start of cooking.

In the more expensive models, even the burner controls can be equipped with a display, each with its own. In this case, the display shows the power level of the burner.

On the display is also a sign of the lock – it is a key or a lock, like a barn.

Electric ovens allow you to create several modes of heat treatment: it is the traditional top and bottom heat, the work of the ring heater and fan, that is convection, grill. The ability to operate several modes together at the same time allows for more flexibility. At the same time, this is directly reflected in the control panel. Set of modes is displayed on the regulator, and by turning it the user switches the selected type of heating.

Modern gas ovens have significantly evolved from their former counterparts, but their feature set is still inferior to the variety of electric counterparts. On the one hand, this is why there are significantly fewer gas independent cabinets on the market. That said, the gas in the oven is not considered as optimal as in the burners.

Fire is difficult to control, and modern appliances strive to deliver flawless cooking results. It is believed that gas is not able to create a uniform thermal environment in the cabinet. As a result, users tend to buy gas cooktops, and in company with them electric ovens.

The gas oven’s control panel is very simple: a knob for selecting heating power, a light switch and a light button. Gas ovens come equipped with a grill. It can be a gas or electric heating element.

Gas ovens are increasingly equipped with an electric ignition switch. It makes it so easy to turn the appliance on. The housewife no longer has to lean over the oven burner with a flaming match in her hands, risking dropping it or getting caught in the middle of a small explosion.

Electric ignition is achieved by simultaneously turning the power control knob and pressing a special button. There are models in which turning the knob is sufficient to light the oven. Accordingly, these models have no ignition button on the control panel.

The panel may be touch-sensitive, like an iPad

Functionality of the control panel is determined by its shape. Flat and simple panels do not exude any flair and are easy to care for.

Panels with a rounded surface look more fancy. A few years ago, rounded, protruding control panels were at their most popular.

Now look more relevant panel, made in the form of a sloping plane. It is easy to monitor and set modes and is more suitable for general minimalist or high-tech styles.

Control panels can be mechanical, electronic and touch-sensitive.

Mechanical – the easiest option. Rotary knobs are used to assign the job. In many models, control knobs are one of the most eye-catching design elements. They tend to give interesting forms in accordance with the chosen style. Cylindrical knobs have grooved surfaces for a better grip.

The most convenient up to this day are the slat-style handles mounted on a round base, they provide a hold and fixation even to wet and slippery hands. Color controls usually match or contrast with the main color of the panel. The color can be the same as the display and the door glass to create a more harmonious appearance.

Electronic panels are equipped with buttons and digital displays. Control knobs are also rotary, but they can be recessed, in which case the hostess can see at a glance at the panel whether the oven is on. Buttons are used to set automatic programs or timer.

The touch panel is a completely smooth surface with icons printed on it. Underneath them are the control keys, which respond sensitively to your touch. One or two displays will inform you about the mode set. In the second case, it simply reads the temperature of the oven and the timer.

Not always expensive models have touch control, as one might assume. There are ovens with mechanical control panels for the super-rich lovers of cooking, while for those who like to hold the steering wheel in their hands.

The rudder in this case are the switch knobs. They are made large so that it is easy to turn them without removing the rings and without fearing for the integrity of long nails.

In retro-style ovens on the control panel and controls are made in this style. Agree, it would look funny on the oven a la 50’s electronic clock, so there is none, the clock is styled like antique. At the same time, the functionality of such ovens is the same as that of devices made in a more modern style.

Symbols: What the housewife sees with her left eye

All household appliances for daily use must have clear operation. In order not to sit at the oven with a manual, manufacturers come up with very simple and illustrative ways to navigate in the management of the appliance. For example, the knob, which assigns the oven’s operating mode, is provided with pictograms.

They show the modes in the clear and familiar symbols: defrosting mode – snowflake with a drop, convection – three-blade fan, top, bottom heat – the line at the top, bottom, simultaneous heating from bottom and top – a symbol that resembles a sign “flat”, grill – broken line on top. The symbols can be located not on the panel, but directly on the stationary part of the handle. Manufacturers also invent their own symbols that are suitable only for this technique.

Buttons of the electronic control panel are intended to turn on and off some functions and program the timer. Next to them we can see the symbols of a bell – the button turns on the alarm clock, clock – the button sets the time, key – the button turns on the child lock, buttons with symbols + and – are used to operate with numbers on the display you can not just dial the desired digit, because there are no corresponding buttons .

Thermostat – the temperature regulator and knob of the timer have pictures with numbers. The hostess will not have to think about how to set the desired oven temperature or set the cooking time.

Indicators are also designed to inform the housewife about the operation of the appliance. Normally, a light indicates that the oven is on. Many manufacturers provide an indicator and thermostat. Indicator signals that the temperature inside the oven has not yet reached the set temperature.

The housewife gets an opportunity to mind her own business with only occasional glances at the panel. When the indicator light goes out, it will be clear that it’s time to send the pies or casserole in the oven. Expensive models of dependent ovens are equipped with an indicator light that illuminates the controls of working burners, or provide each of them with its own indicator light.

But the most obvious way to display information is on the display. It can tell you the time, temperature and operating mode of the oven. Display indicators should be clearly visible even from a distance, so for the display red or green colors are used, contrasting with the black background of the display.

Oven and burners: we want to remain dependent

The basic rule of design is: beautiful is convenient. In appliances, this is especially important. The very idea of a separate oven comes from our desire for convenience. By separating the hob from the oven, we also separated their control panels.

But this is not the case with dependable ovens. On the control panel of such ovens are controllers of burner power. There are two rules for their placement. The regulators can be arranged in groups, in which case they are all in a row. Or in pairs in the case of a four-burner hob on both sides of the control panel.

Both modes of operation let you arrange the knobs in a logical and attractive way. In a group layout, they are most often placed on the right side, since most users are right-handed people.

Also, burners are used more often than the oven, so controls should be in the most convenient place. To logically divide the assignment of the oven into two steps, the knobs of the thermostat and the mode regulator are put together. Manufacturers install them both on the right and on the left. The timer occupies a separate position. It can be placed between these two handles, creating a symmetry.

Just a cabinet, design and oven

Oddly enough, ovens are always made according to the style you choose. Here it is appropriate to talk about two conditional directions.

Modern, which emphasizes the technology of the appliance and the kitchen as a whole. Its task is to “fit” logically into a modern design kitchen. Therefore, such control panels are made in the most fashionable materials and colors.

Stainless steel or brushed aluminum is in the lead here. The undeniable practicality and the unobtrusive beauty of metal is emphasized by the flat design of the hob, the design of the handles and the oven door. The style is characterized by neat and rigid lines, emphasizing the utmost reliability and practicality of the product. The style motto: nothing is superfluous.

That’s why the knobs have a simple shape, their main task is to be comfortable. A combination of simple shapes and understated details – the hallmark of a technological style. Trends in recent years layout of kitchen sets could not help but be reflected in the design of appliances. Kitchens concentrate on horizontal lines, getting wider and more squat. Cabinets become more low and wide.

On the control panel of their new ovens, AEG has tried to emphasize the desire for horizontal lines in purely design features: the position of the buttons and narrow, deliberately elongated displays. Such an interesting solution will look harmoniously together with the kitchen furniture, designed in the same style.

The second direction is the ovens for classic kitchens. They are very similar to their prototypes of the 60s. Stylistics requires them to obey a completely different set of rules. Technological sophistication of the appliances remains in second place. Most importantly, it’s a careful conspiracy that allows you to disguise a modern appliance under a retro mask. Displays and flushable knobs are out of place here. Simplicity and naivety of details should clearly speak of “times long ago

past.”. That’s why timers are made in the idea of round clock. Handles and knobs of the door are simple in shape, but with cute little “contrivances”. This could be an arrow on the controls, a slight bend in the oven handle and enlarged knobs of controls with a convenient for grasping bar in the middle.

Colors from universal white to “gold,” which is actively used in the entourage of wooden kitchens. The oven has to “match” the tone of the kitchen fronts and be the same color as the cooktop. Black goes well with wood. White draws attention to technology, but is not always flawless against the background of oak or cherry. Among the color solutions are interesting ovens with irregular coloring.

The color flows smoothly from lighter to darker, giving the flat surface a visual volume. Sand and terracotta will go well with the wood. The modern design trend is eclectic – combining the seemingly incompatible. This idea slips into the Zigmynd&Shtain oven model, which is made of stainless steel. The flatness of the front of the oven is convex, with emphasized smooth, capacious transitions.

The whole model seems to be imbued with the associative impression of a car from the 60s. The display is reminiscent of a window, outlined by the wipers on the windshield in bad weather. Regulators look like three-dimensional arrows. The door handle seems to flow smoothly forward. The oven window is oval, but with straight sections. An oven like this will undoubtedly stand out in a room without losing its practicality.

Ovens are among the most ‘fancy’ kitchen appliances, and their design should logically highlight their application function, with the control panel playing one of the most prominent roles. Control panels, as the face of man, immediately and unambiguously speak of the character and tendencies of its owner. And from the moment the chosen model becomes a part of the house, and about him, too.

Design seems to be a far cry from everyday life. In fact, design unites technology and the user, allows the device to “speak” in the same language as its owner and, finally, connects what is made by different people, combining technology with furniture and even our impression of life, comfort and coziness.