Everything You Need To Learn About Hobs
A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Stoves and ovens can be seamlessly integrated into your kitchen worktops and kitchen units to give it modern and sleek appearance. Shop our entire range of ovens and hobs now.
Electric hobs provide heat via different looking cooking rings that can range from four to six power levels. It may take a while for them to heat up and cool down.
Hobs in various types
The kitchen hob, stove top or range cooker (the latter being the complete cooking appliance that you roast and bake your food in) is an essential part of every home. It is used to cook various meals and for this reason, it's important that you select the best hob for your cooking style. Whether you are a master chef who is a fan of precision or a busy family cook who wants speed, there's a hob to suit your needs.
Induction and electric ceramic hobs feature a flat, frameless design that improves the sleek appearance of any kitchen. They have either four or five cooking zones, each of which is 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 heat up quickly and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. They are more expensive than gas hobs and might take longer to heat up and cool down.
Gas hobs offer instant heat and allow for precise control, which makes them popular among chefs. They're also secure with built-in flame failure safety systems that cut off gas flow if there is a leak. They are less efficient than induction or electrical hobs, and they are harder to clean because of the pan's supports and stove burners.
Plate hobs have been around for decades. They have a flat surface with electric or gas rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They're economical, but not ideal for cookware made of cast iron and do not distribute heat evenly across the entire surface.
Induction hobs are able to heat your pan directly, instead of heating the surface of the hob as with traditional hobs. They are safer as there is no open flame. They're also simple to 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 option for home cooks because of its fast heating capability and easy control. There are models with between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner for stir-fry cooking. Some hobs come with a visual indicator that tells you whether the burner is on or not.
They are faster at heating food than electric or induction models, so are ideal for kitchens with a lot of activity. They are also less expensive to run than electric hobs, assuming you use electricity from a supplier that generates renewable energy sources.
You can choose between built-in or freestanding gas hobs. The latter are the best choice for those who are planning to renovate your kitchen since they are easy to move later. However, they're difficult to install and may require hacking into your final carpentry, which may not be suitable for all homes.
Freestanding models have a flat, smooth surface that makes them easier to clean than other kinds of hobs. They often feature sleek stainless steel trims, that can be integrated into a variety of kitchen designs. Some even have touch-sensitive controls and the power boost feature lets you increase the power of a particular burner by up to 50%, meaning you can bring a pot of water to a boil in no time.

Certain gas hobs come with an automatic safety system that stops the flow of gas when the flame is gone and you're not at risk of creating a fire by accident. Gas hobs are less expensive to run than some electric ones, and they permit precise temperature control.
Gas hobs release carbon dioxide when they burn. This can be a problem for eco-conscious customers. There are, however, models that don't release any CO2 while they're being used. These gas hobs with zero emissions or eco-friendly gas stoves', have all the features of a standard gas model while emitting zero CO2.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a popular choice in kitchens of any design. They offer a number of advantages over other types. They are able to heat up and cool down faster than gas hobs, meaning less residual heat is left behind as the cookware is taken off. They are more evenly heated and are less likely to be prone to hot spots than some gas models. Electric models are also easier to maintain and cost less to operate than gas models.
Typically found in modern kitchens ceramic or glass electric hobs provide a sleek and elegant appearance that's both easy to clean and safe to touch. They are also a good choice for families with kids since their flat surfaces are less likely to be damaged by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and can easily be replaced when damaged.
Unlike traditional plate hobs, that make use of coils to generate heat that is transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs use an induction system to heat directly the pan. They can heat and cool faster and can be used for any cookware. They're generally more expensive than electric plate hobs, however they'll save you money on energy costs in the long run due to their efficiency and the way they convert nearly all electrical energy into usable heat.
Despite their simplicity in design, it's crucial to regularly maintain your ceramic or glass hob to avoid any issues. For instance cleaning the cooktop with a non-abrasive cleaner is recommended, as is checking and replacing faulty heating controls and regularly cleaning out the grates and burner caps. Be on the lookout for gas smells, because they could indicate a problem in the gas lines or gas leaks. It is recommended to contact a professional gas technician to help if you suspect a problem. Always make sure that the stove has cooled completely before cleaning to prevent any serious damage. This will also help prevent any accidental fires or spills!
Induction hobs
Induction cookers are a modern alternative to gas and electric hobs. They use magnets instead of a cooktop to heat the pan. This allows them to heat up much more quickly than other types of hobs and reduce energy consumption in the long run. The cooktop's surface is cool to the touch, and a lot of models are equipped with safety features, such as an automatic shutoff to avoid accidents.
Induction hobs are usually ceramic or glass with an alternating current that creates magnetic fields to heat. Induction-compatible pans must have flat bases and a steel core. The magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed over the cooking zone. Most hobs feature a "bridging zone" that allows two zones to be joined to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency, and a lot of people report dips in their coverall energy costs after switching to one. Induction hobs are also believed to be safer, as the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch and decreases the chance of burns. They only heat the pan and the contents. This makes them more child-friendly than gas or electric hobs that can get very hot and create a burn risk.
Most induction hobs have different control options. The simplest is the simple touch bar/power bar on top of the hob. Others have a fully-functional display that shows all the options, and lets you easily change power levels and set timers. The more advanced models of induction hobs include lots of small copper coils, tightly connected below the cooktop, and the magnet beneath each one will sense the pan you are placing it. Then, it activates the appropriate coil to match the pan's size and shape.
All of our hobs and ovens are available as freestanding models or neatly integrated into your kitchen's units and worktops for a an elegant, seamless look. Our full range includes everything from slick black and stainless steel finishes to trendy copper and ceramic. Be sure to take a look at our other appliances as well such as dishwashers, fridge freezers and washing machines, to get your kitchen functioning exactly as it should.