Here's how to do it.
“The oven” has undergone tremendous development over the years, to the point where we can now distinguish between many different types and functions—so when it comes to choosing the right oven, we’re spoiled for choice. We explore why and how our dishes actually end up baked these days.
Today, the oven is one of the most essential appliances in any kitchen. But stoves have basically been around ever since fire was invented. The stone oven is a type of oven that has been in use for a very long time: A dome-shaped structure that efficiently retains the heat from the spent embers, making it ideal for baking bread, for example.
Cooking over an open fire caused many fires—a safer solution had to be found. The first enclosed stove, featuring a firebox recessed beneath a cooking surface, was invented in 1735, but it did not yet become widely adopted. The first mass-produced portable ovens, which were still wood-fired, likely date back to 1851. Gradually, devices that could run on gas or oil were introduced. However, cooking and baking with these inventions still led to frequent household accidents.
It wasn't until the 1930s that the electric oven began to gain widespread acceptance, and as the power grid expanded, it grew increasingly popular. Whereas the cooktop and oven used to be combined in a single range, in modern kitchens these two appliances are usually installed separately. These days, ovens are increasingly being installed at working height, which makes them easier to use ergonomically.
The most common types of ovens today that are typically considered when planning a kitchen:
These different types vary in their functions, which allow for different cooking results.
The gas oven runs on gas and is primarily found in RVs, campers, boats, or homes with limited access to electricity or a natural gas connection. With this type of oven, you cannot set different baking programs. It is therefore quite difficult to set the correct temperature and baking time.
The most common type of oven is the electric oven. Electric ovens have a wide range of functions. The most common ones are top and bottom heat, convection, and a broil function. Some appliances also feature special programs, such as a bread-baking or pizza-baking setting. Electric ovens allow you to set the exact temperature you want, even at low temperatures, and are quite intuitive to use.
Ovens with a steam function usually have the standard settings such as top and bottom heat and convection, but also allow for gentle steaming of dishes by automatically releasing steam into the cooking chamber. Depending on the oven, water enters the oven cavity either through a recess in the oven floor, a water tank, or a fixed water connection.
The BORA X BO combines a steamer and an oven in a single appliance, so you can cook with or without added moisture, depending on your preference. The BORA X BO is a true all-rounder: Thanks to its innovative steam technology and intuitive controls, you’ll achieve perfect results—juicy, tender, and crispy. Inspired by fine dining, BORA X BO brings professional-grade kitchen technology into the home.
Despite the features of a professional steam oven, the ease of use of the BORA X BO is particularly noteworthy: The system is controlled via a large, easy-to-read, foldable 19-inch touchscreen display. The touchscreen is just as responsive to touch as you'd expect from a smartphone. Numerous pre-set or manually adjustable programs and functions simplify navigation and make cooking a breeze.
In addition to its ease of use, it’s also worth mentioning the automatic steam extraction before the oven door is opened—which means no more annoying fogged-up glasses or steam in your face. Optimal heat distribution across all three levels of the X BO ensures even cooking results, and the automatic cleaning program offers added convenience. Not to be overlooked is the sleek design, which makes the X BO an eye-catcher in any kitchen.
“This is what the future feels like,” says Michelin-starred chef Johann Lafer about the X BO’s controls.
