Ten Common Misconceptions About Hobs That Don t Always Hold

A Guide to Ovens and Hobs

Hobs and ovens give an elegant, modern look to any kitchen and can be easily integrated into your worktops and kitchen units. Shop our entire range of ovens and hobs now.

Electric hobs are heated by different cooking rings, which can have anywhere from four to six power levels. It can take a few minutes to get them heated up and cool down.

Hobs in various types

The kitchen hob, stove top or range cooker (the latter being the whole cooking appliance that you roast and bake your food in) is a crucial part of every home. It is used to cook a variety of techniques, which is why it's crucial to select the best ovens hob for your needs. If you're a master chef who values precision or a busy family cook seeking speed, there's a hob that will meet your requirements.

Electric ceramic and induction stoves are frameless and flat and add to the sleek look of any kitchen. They have either four or five cooking zones each independent of each other by a dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring while sautéing the sausages on a different. This is ideal for busy families. They also heat up quickly and have smooth surfaces that make them easy to clean. They can be more costly than gas hobs, and they may take longer to heat up and cool down.

Gas hobs are popular among chefs due to their instant heat and provide precise control. They're also secure and come with built-in flame fail safety systems that cut off the gas supply in case there's a leak. However, they are less energy-efficient than induction or electric hobs, and are more difficult to clean due to the pan supports and burners.

Plate hobs have been around for decades. They have a flat, smooth surface with electric or gas rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They're affordable, but not ideal for cooking with cast iron because they do not distribute heat evenly across the entire surface.

Induction hobs can heat your pan directly rather than heating up the surface of the hob like traditional hobs. They're safer than gas, as they don't have an open flame, and are easy to wipe clean. They're also more expensive and take longer to cool and heat than gas or electricity hobs.

Gas hobs

Gas hobs are a preferred choice for home cooks because of their speedy heating capabilities as well as their ease of control. There are models with between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner for stir-fry cooking. Some also have a visual flame indicator that indicates whether the oven with hob is on or off.

They heat food faster than induction or electric models, so are ideal for kitchens with a lot of activity. They can be cheaper to operate than electric hobs if they use electricity generated by renewable energy sources.

There are freestanding gas hobs or built-in models. The latter are a better option when you're planning to redesign your kitchen because you can easily relocate them later. They aren't easy to install and might require you to hack into your finished carpentry. This isn't a good choice for every home.

They have a flat and smooth surface, making them easy to clean. Stainless steel trims are often employed, and can be matched to many kitchen designs. Some even come with touch-sensitive controls as well as an energy boost feature that lets you increase the power of a particular burner by as much as 50%, so you can bring a pot of water to the boiling point in no time.

Some gas hobs have an automatic safety feature that shuts off gas supply once the flame is out. This way, you don't have to worry about accidentally igniting a fire. They are also less expensive than some electric hobs to operate, and also provide precise temperature control for various cooking techniques.

Gas hobs emit carbon dioxide when they burn. This can be an issue for eco-conscious consumers. Luckily, there are now models available that don't emit any CO2 at all while they're in use. These 'zero-emission gas hobs,' or eco-friendly gas stoves', have all the features of a standard gas model while emitting no CO2.

Electric hobs

A favorite choice for kitchens of all styles, electric hobs offer numerous advantages over other kinds of cooker. For starters, they tend to heat up and cool down faster than gas hobs, which means less heat remains behind as the cookware is taken off. They also heat more evenly and are less prone to hot spots than gas models. Because they are electric, they require less maintenance and are cheaper to operate than gas.

Typically found in modern kitchens ceramic or glass electric hobs provide a sleek and elegant appearance that's easy to clean and safe to contact. They're also a great choice for families with children since their flat surfaces are less likely to be damaged by heavy pans. They're also relatively cheap to run and are easily repaired in the event of damage.

As opposed to traditional plate hobs which use coils to generate heat that is transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs utilize an induction system to heat directly the pan. This means that they heat up and cool down faster, and are able to be used with any kind of cookware. They're often pricier than electric plate hobs, however they'll save you money on energy costs in the long run due to their high efficiency and the way they convert almost all electrical energy into usable heat.

Despite their simplicity in design, it's important to regularly maintain your glass or ceramic hob to avoid any problems. For example cleaning the cooktop with a non-abrasive cleaning solution is recommended, as is checking and replacing damaged heating controls, as well as regularly cleaning out the grates and burner caps. It's also important to look for any indications of gas odour, as it could indicate a problem with the gas lines or a gas leak. It is recommended to contact a professional gas technician for assistance if you suspect an issue. To avoid any serious damage, always ensure that the hob is completely shut off and cool down before cleaning. This will also help stop any accidental spills or fires!

Induction hobs

A modern alternative to traditional gas and electric hobs, induction cookers make use of magnetic fields to heat the pan itself rather than the cooktop. They heat up quicker than other stoves and can save you energy over time. The cooktop 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 feature a glass or ceramic top and are powered by an alternating current that creates the magnetic field to heat. A pan that is induction-compatible must have a flat bottom as well as a steel or iron core. The magnetic field is only activated when the pan is placed on the cooking zone. The majority of hobs come with the bridging zone, which can connect two zones to accommodate larger pans.

Induction hobs have a reputation for efficiency. Many have reported a reduction in their overall energy bills when they switch 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 more suitable for children than gas or electric hobs that can get very hot and create a burn hazard.

Most induction hobs have different control options. The most basic one is a simple touch bar/power bar on top of the hob. Others come with an all-inclusive display that displays all the options available, and lets you easily adjust the power levels as well as set timers. Induction hobs with more advanced technology have many small copper coils placed tightly together under the cooktop. The magnet under each coil is able to detect the time when the pan is placed. It activates the coil that is the right one for your pan size and shape.

All of our hobs and ovens are available as freestanding models or easily integrated into your kitchen units and worktop for a sleek, seamless look. Our full range includes everything from slick black and stainless-steel finishes to trendy ceramic and copper. Be sure to check out our other appliances, too such as dishwashers, refrigerator freezers, and washing machines to get your whole kitchen working as it should.