A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Hobs and ovens give an elegant, modern look to any kitchen, and can be seamlessly integrated into kitchen worktops and units. Shop our full range of
ovens uk and hobs today.
Electric hobs provide heat via different looking cooking rings that can have anywhere between four and six power levels. It may take a while to get them heated up and cool down.
Types of hobs
Every home is incomplete without a kitchen hob, range cooker, or stovetop (the latter is a complete cooking appliance that can bake and roast food). It is used to cook many different meals and for this reason, it's important that you select the best hob for your cooking style. There is a hob for everyone, whether you're a professional chef who is a perfectionist or a busy home cook who wants speed.
Induction and electric ceramic hobs are flat, frameless design that enhances the sleek appearance of any kitchen. Each of the four or five zones can be controlled by an individual dial. This gives you the option of boiling potatoes on one ring while sautéing sausages in another which is ideal for busy families. They heat quickly, and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs and could take longer to cool down.
Gas hobs offer instant heat and permit precise control, making them popular with chefs. They are also safe with built-in flame failure safety systems that shut off the gas supply if there's an issue with the gas. However, they are less efficient in energy than electric or induction hobs and are harder to clean because of the burners and pan supports.
Plate hobs have been in use for decades. They have a flat-topped top that is fitted with gas or electric rings that are heated when you turn the dial. They are affordable, but not ideal for cast-iron cookware, and they don't evenly distribute heat across the entire surface.
Induction hobs make use of an electromagnetic field to heat your pan - rather than heating the hob surface as traditional hobs do. They are safer than gas and have no open flames and are easy to wipe clean. They're also more expensive than electric or gas hobs, and take longer to heat up and cool down.
Gas hobs
A gas hob is a common choice for cooks at home due to its quick heating capabilities and simple control. You can find models with between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner for stir-frying cooking. Others have a visual flame indicator that indicates whether the hob is on or off.
They are faster at heating food than induction or electric models, so are ideal for busy kitchens. They are cheaper to run than electric hobs if you utilize electricity generated by renewable energy sources.
You can get gas hobs that are freestanding or built-in models. If you plan to remodel your kitchen, freestanding models are more suitable because they can be moved easily. However, they can be difficult to install and may require hacking into your completed carpentry, which isn't ideal for all homes.
Freestanding models have a flat, smooth surface which makes them easier to clean than other kinds of hobs. They typically have sleek, stainless steel trims that can be integrated into a variety of kitchen designs. Some come
oven with hob touch-sensitive controls as well as a power boost function that lets you increase the power of a particular burner by up to 50%, meaning you can bring a pan of water to a boiling point in a matter of minutes.
Some gas hobs feature an automatic flame failure safety system that shuts off the supply of gas when the flame goes out, so you don't risk accidentally causing a fire. They are also less expensive than electric hobs that operate, and also provide precise temperature control for various cooking techniques.
It's important to mention that gas hobs release carbon dioxide as they burn, which can be an issue for eco-conscious consumers. There are, however, models that don't release any CO2 whatsoever when they're in use. These gas hobs with zero emissions or eco-friendly gas stoves', have all the features of a traditional gas stove but emits zero CO2.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a popular choice for kitchens of any style. They offer a number of advantages over other kinds. For starters, they tend to heat up and cool down faster than gas hobs, which means less heat remains in the cookware when it is taken off. They heat more evenly and are less likely to have hot spots than gas models. Electric models are also simpler to maintain and less expensive to operate than gas models.
Ceramic or glass electric hobs are commonly used in modern kitchens. They have a sleek, elegant appearance that is easy to clean. They are also safe to handle. Their flat surface makes them a popular choice for parents with children, as they're less likely to be smashed or scratched by heavy pans. They're also reasonably priced to run and are easily repaired in the event of damage.
In contrast to traditional plate hobs which make use of coils to generate heat that is transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs utilize an induction system to directly heat the pan. They are able to heat and cool quicker and are suitable to cook with any type of cookware. These are often more expensive than electric plate stoves however they can save you money in the long term due to their high efficiency.
It is essential to maintain your ceramic or tempered glass hob regularly to avoid any problems. For instance cleaning the cooktop with an anti-abrasive cleaner is recommended, as well as replacing or checking the heating controls, and regularly cleaning out the grates and burner caps. It is also essential to watch out for any signs of gas odour as it could indicate a problem with the gas lines or a gas leak. If you suspect this, it's best to contact a gas professional to seek assistance. To avoid damage that could be serious make sure that the hob is completely shut off and cooled prior to cleaning. This will also help prevent accidental spills and fires!
Hobs with induction
Modern alternatives to traditional gas and electric hobs, induction cookers utilize magnetic fields to heat the pan itself instead of the cooktop itself. This allows them to heat up faster than other types of hobs and can help save energy in the long run. They are also safer to use as the cooktop surface remains cool to the touch, and many have safety features, such as an automatic shut off to prevent accidents.
The majority of induction
hobs and ovens have an aluminum or glass top and are powered by an alternating current which creates a magnetic field that is used to heat. Induction-compatible cookware must have an even base and a steel core. The magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed over the cooking zone. The majority of hobs have an bridging zone that can connect two zones to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are known for their efficiency, and a lot of people report dips in their overall energy bills after switching to one. Induction
hobs and ovens are also considered to be safer, as the surface of the cooktop remains cool to the touch, and they reduce the chance of burning. They only heat the pan and its contents. This makes them more child-friendly than electric or gas stoves that can get very hot and pose a burn danger.
Most induction hobs come with various control options, the most basic being an easy-to-use power bar/touch mark on the top of the hob, or a fully functional TFT display that shows all options, and lets you change power levels as well as set timers, and more. Induction hobs with more advanced technology come with many small copper coils grouped tightly together under the cooktop. The magnet under each coil senses when the pan is placed. Then, it activates the appropriate coil to fit the pan's shape and size.