A Guide to
ovens hobs and Hobs
ovens hobs and hobs add modern, sleek style to any kitchen and can be neatly integrated into your worktops and kitchen units. Shop our full
oven hob and hob collection today.
Electric hobs heat up with various 'cooking ring designs, which have between four and six power levels. It may take a while for them to heat up and cool down.
Hobs of different types
Each home is incomplete without the kitchen hob, range cooker or stovetop (the latter being a whole cooking appliance in which you can roast and bake food items). It is used to prepare many different food items and, for this reason it is essential to select the best hob to suit your cooking style. There's a hob that's suitable for everyone, no matter if you're a master cook who prefers precision or a busy home cook who wants speed.
Induction and electric ceramic hobs are frameless, flat design that adds to the elegant appearance of any kitchen. Each of the four or five zones can be controlled using the use of a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring while sauteing the sausages on another. This is perfect for busy families. They are quick to heat up and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. They are more expensive than gas hobs and may take longer to heat and cool down.
Gas hobs provide instant heat and provide precise control, making them popular with chefs. They're also safe, with built-in flame failure safety systems that cut off the gas supply in case there is a leak. However, they're less efficient than induction or electric hobs, and are more difficult to clean because of the pan supports and burners.
Plate hobs are the traditional design of the hob that has been in use for a long time. They have a flat surface with electric or gas rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They are affordable, but not ideal for cooking with cast-iron, and they don't evenly distribute heat across the entire surface.
Induction hobs heat your pan directly, instead of heating the surface of the hob like traditional hobs. They are safer, as there's no open flame. They're also easy to clean. They're also more expensive than gas or electric hobs, and take longer to warm up and cool down.
Gas hobs
A gas
hob is a common choice for cooks at home because of its fast heating capabilities and simple control. You can find models with between two and six burners. Some models include a wok-burner to cook stir-fry. Some also have a visual flame indicator that tells you whether the hob is on or off.
They are faster to cook food than electric or induction models and are therefore ideal for kitchens that are busy. They can be cheaper to operate than electric hobs, if you utilize electricity generated by renewable energy sources.
You can get gas hobs that are freestanding or built-in models. The former are the
best ovens and hobs choice for those who are planning to renovate your kitchen as they are easy to move later. However, they're difficult to install and could require hacking into your completed carpentry, which isn't ideal for all homes.
Freestanding models feature a smooth, flat surface that makes them much easier to clean than other types of hobs. Trims made of stainless steel are frequently employed, and can be used in conjunction with a variety of kitchen designs. Some come with touch-sensitive controls as well as a power boost function that lets you boost the intensity of a particular burner by up to 50%, meaning you can bring a pot of water to the boil in no time.
Some gas hobs come with a safety system that automatically stops gas supply once the flame has gone out. This means that you don't have to worry about accidentally igniting a fire. They can also be cheaper than some electric hobs to operate, and offer precise temperature control for different cooking methods.
Gas hobs release carbon dioxide when they burn. This can be a problem for environmentally conscious customers. There are models that emit no CO2 while in use. They are referred to as "zero emission gas hobs" or eco-friendly gas hobs they have all the usual features of traditional gas models but emit no CO2 in operation.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a popular choice in kitchens of any style. They have a variety of advantages over other kinds. Electric hobs heat up and cool off quicker than gas hobs. This means that less heat is left after the cookware is removed. They are more evenly heated and are less likely to develop hot spots than some gas models. Electric models are also easier to maintain and cheaper to run than gas models.
Ceramic or glass electric hobs are most commonly found in modern kitchens. They have a sleek, stylish look that is easy to clean. They are also safe to touch. Their flat surface makes them a preferred option for families who have children, as they're less likely to be smashed or scratched by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and are able to be replaced when damaged.
Ceramic hobs heat directly the pan, in contrast to traditional plate hobs that use coils to heat the pan. This means that they heat up and cool down faster, and can be used with any kind of cookware. They're generally more expensive than electric plate hobs, however they'll save you money on energy costs in the long run because of their high efficiency and their ability to convert nearly all the electrical energy into usable heat.
It is essential to maintain your ceramic or tempered glass cooktop regularly to avoid any issues. Cleaning the cooktop with non-abrasive cleaners is highly recommended, as is making sure to replace any malfunctioning heating controls and cleaning out burner caps or grates regularly. It is also essential to watch for any indications of gas odour, as this could represent an issue with the gas lines or a gas leak. It's best to call an experienced gas technician for help if you suspect an issue. Always make sure that the stove has cooled completely prior to cleaning in order to prevent any serious damage. This will also help prevent accidental fires or spills!
Induction hobs
Modern alternatives to traditional gas and electric hobs, induction cookers make use of magnetic fields to heat the pan rather than the cooktop itself. This allows them to heat much more quickly than other hobs and save energy in the long run. The cooktop's surface is cool to the touch and many models come with safety features such as automatic shutoff to prevent accidents.
Induction hobs are typically ceramic or glass with an alternating current that creates an electric field that heats. Induction-compatible pans need to have a flat base and a steel core. The magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed over the cooking area. Most hobs feature a 'bridging zone' which can connect two zones to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency and many people have reported a dip in their energy costs after switching to one. They are also considered to be safer since the cooktop's surface stays cool to the surface, reducing the chance of burns, and only heats the pan and its contents. This makes them safer for children than electric or gas hobs which can get very hot.
Most induction cooktops come with a variety of control types. The most basic one is an easy power bar or touch bar that sits on top of the
hob. Others come with a fully-functional display that shows all the options available, and allows you to alter the power levels and set timers. The more advanced models of induction hobs include numerous small copper coils tightly placed beneath the cooktop, and the magnet beneath each one will sense the pan you are placing it. It activates the coil that is suitable for the pan's size and shape.