Ten Hobs That Will Actually Make Your Life Better
A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Stoves oven and hob ovens can be easily integrated into your kitchen worktops and kitchen units to give it a a sleek and modern feel. Explore our complete range of ovens and hobs now.
Electric hobs provide heat via various cooking rings, which can have anywhere from four to six different power levels. It can take a few minutes for them to heat up and cool down.
Types of hobs
Every home is incomplete without a kitchen hob, range cooker or stovetop (the latter being a whole kitchen appliance where you can bake and roast food). It is used for a variety cooking methods, and it's essential to select the ideal hob for you. There's a hob that's suitable for everyone, whether you're a pro chef who prefers precision or a busy home cook who wants speed.
Electric ceramic and induction hobs have a flat, frameless design that enhances the elegant appearance of any kitchen. They have either four or five cooking zones each one independent of each other by a dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring and sautéing the sausages on a different. This is ideal for busy families. They are quick to heat up, and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. However, they can be more expensive than gas hobs, and they may take longer to heat up and cool down.
Gas hobs provide instant heat and permit precise control, making them popular with chefs. They're also secure and come with built-in flame fail safety systems that cut off the gas supply if there's a leak. They are less efficient than electric or Induction Hob hobs, and they are harder to clean because of the pan's supports and stove burners.
Plate hobs are the traditional form of the hob and have been used for a long time. They have a flat top that has gas or electric rings that are heated when you turn the dial. They are economical but not ideal for cooking with cast-iron and don't distribute heat across the entire surface.
Induction hobs use an electromagnetic field to directly heat your pan instead of heating the surface as traditional hobs do. They are safer since there's no open flame. They are 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 popular choice for cooks at home due to its quick heating functionality and easy control. You can usually find models that offer between two and six burners. Some models include a wok-burner to cook stir-fry. Some have a visible flame indicator that tells you whether the hob is turned on or off.
They heat food faster than induction models or electric models, making them ideal for kitchens with a lot of activity. They can be cheaper to run than electric hobs if they make use of renewable energy sources.
There are gas hobs that are freestanding or built-in models. The former are the best hobs uk choice when you're planning to redesign your kitchen because you can easily relocate them later. They can be difficult to install and could require you to rip out the finished carpentry. This is not suitable for every home.
Freestanding models have a flat, smooth surface that makes them easier to clean than other kinds of hobs. They typically have elegant, stainless steel trims, that can be incorporated into many kitchen designs. Certain models come with touch-sensitive controls, and some even feature an energy boost feature that boosts the power of the burner by 50%..
Certain gas hobs are equipped with a safety system that automatically shuts off the gas supply when the flame goes out. This means you don't need to worry about accidentally igniting a fire. Gas hobs are generally less expensive to run than some electric hobs, and they permit precise temperature control.
Gas hobs release carbon dioxide when they burn. This can be an issue for eco-conscious consumers. There are models that do not emit CO2 when they are in use. These 'zero-emission gas hobs or eco-friendly gas stoves' have all the features of a standard gas model while emitting zero CO2.
Electric hobs
A common option for kitchens of all styles, electric hobs offer numerous advantages over other kinds of cookers. Electric hobs heat up and cool off quicker than gas hobs. This means that less heat remains after the cookware is removed. They also heat more consistently and are less prone to hot spots than gas models. Electric models are also simpler to maintain and less expensive to operate than gas models.
Typically seen in modern kitchens, ceramic or glass electric hobs offer a sleek and stylish appearance that's easy to clean and safe to contact. They're also a good option for families with children because their flat surface is less likely to be damaged by heavy pans. They're also reasonably priced to run and can be repaired when damaged.
Ceramic hobs are able to heat directly the pan, in contrast to traditional plate hobs that use coils to heat the pan. They can heat and cool much faster and are suitable to cook with any type of cookware. They're often pricier than electric plate hobs, however they'll help you save money on energy costs over the long term due to their high efficiency and the way they convert almost all of the electrical energy into usable heat.
It's important that you maintain your ceramic or tempered glass hob regularly to avoid any issues. Cleaning the cooktop using non-abrasive cleaning products is recommended, as is looking for and replacing any faulty heating controls and clearing out burner caps or grates regularly. Be on the lookout for gas odours, since they could be a sign of a problem in the gas lines or gas leaks. If you suspect this, it's recommended to seek out a professional in gas for assistance. Always make sure that the stove has cooled completely prior to cleaning in order to avoid any severe damage. This will also help prevent accidental fires or spills!
Induction hobs
A modern alternative to traditional gas and electric hobs, induction cookers utilize an electric field to heat the pan itself rather than the cooktop. This allows them to heat up much more quickly than other hobs and help save energy in the long run. The cooktop's surface is cool to the touch, and a lot of models come with safety features such as automatic shutoff to prevent accidents.
Most induction hobs have a glass or ceramic top and are powered by an alternating current which creates a magnetic field that is used to heat. Induction-compatible pans need to have flat bases and a steel core. The magnetic field is activated only when the pan is placed over the cooking area. The majority of hobs have an 'bridging zone' that can connect two zones to allow for larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency, and a lot of people report dips in their overall energy bills after switching to one. Induction hobs are also believed to be safer since the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch, and they reduce the chance of burns. They only heat the pan and the contents. This makes them safer for children than gas or electric hobs which can get very hot.
Most induction hobs come with different control types that are the simplest being an easy-to-use power bar/touch mark on the surface of the hob, or an entirely functional TFT display which displays all the options and lets you easily alter the power levels or set timers. More advanced induction hobs have numerous small copper coils tightly grouped together below the cooktop, and the magnet underneath each one will sense the pan you are placing it. Then, it activates the appropriate coil to suit the pan shape and size.
All of our ovens and stoves are available as freestanding models or neatly integrated with your kitchen units for an elegant and seamless look. Our complete range includes everything from slick black and stainless-steel finishes to on-trend copper and ceramic. Make sure to take a look at our other appliances as well including fridge freezers and washing machines, to get your whole kitchen working exactly as it should.