Types of Oven Hob
A hob is flat cooking surface that sits above your oven uk to heat your pots and pans. There are various types of hobs available, including gas, electric and induction.
Look for features like the rotary or touch controls. These controls allow you to control heating zones by pressing one button. They also stop them from being smashed easily, especially when they are used by children.
Ceramic Hobs
Ceramic hobs are a great choice for modern kitchens, that combine style and function. However, the glossy surface is prone to scratches and stains caused by food and burnt-on cooking residues. To keep your hob looking good and working efficiently it is essential to maintain an ongoing cleaning routine. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pad.
The hobs of this style are heated by passing an electrical current through coiled metal elements that are hidden beneath the glass surface. These elements produce heat when they are turned on using control knobs. Certain models include a radiant element that emits heat through the glass surface. Certain models have the halogen element, which is more effective. They are able to heat the entire surface in repeated pulses.
A lot ceramic hobs we sell have advanced safety features like residual heat indicators which alert you when the surface is still hot to the touch to prevent burns. Some ceramic hobs have child locks to prevent children from accidentally altering the settings.
For optimal performance, it's important to use appropriate cookware with your ceramic cooktop. This will ensure that your pans are flat-bottomed. This helps to ensure even heat distribution and helps avoid hot spots that can result in food being overcooked or undercooked. Avoid dragging your pans across the surface as this could scratch the tempered-glass.
We recommend ceramic hobs with dual-ring designs, or an the 'I Flex' zone. It can be used to accommodate two single pots, or one large pan. You'll require a pan that has a minimum size of 30cm to register. We also have models with booster heaters for quick heating in specific zones or pans. This is great for stir-fry or searing steak. There are also models with an auto shut-off feature that turns off the hob after a specified time to avoid overheating. This is a useful safety feature to have in place to provide peace of mind. This feature is activated by pressing "Power' on the control panel once the appliance has reached its maximum temperature.
Gas Hobs
A gas hob, also known as gas cooker or gas stove is an appliance for kitchen use that makes use of an flammable natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as its source of fuel. The flame is used to heat both the cookware and the surrounding air. This allows for fast cooking and precise temperature control. Gas hobs are designed to be elevated, which gives extra safety by preventing the body from coming in contact with the flame. This eliminates the danger of burning. This design is elevated and requires particular attention when cleaning or using the hob in order to avoid accidentally spilling liquids onto the burners.
The burners of a traditional gas stove are controlled manually and lit with a match. Modern models come with an automatic igniter that ensures the gas is lit automatically. The flame can be controlled by the control knobs. This makes it easy to adjust the level of heat. Based on the model, some gas hobs also come with multi-flame burners for increased cooking flexibility.
One of the major drawbacks to a gas stove is that it requires a consistent supply of gas, which can be a hassle for those who reside in an area that has an erratic or unreliable supply. Gas hobs also require regular maintenance to guard against the risk of leaks and corrosion. For these reasons, it is crucial to install a gas stove only after consulting with a Gas Safe registered fitter who will provide expert installation and follow strict safety protocols.
While electric ovens and hobs uk induction hobs are becoming more popular but there is a significant market for gas appliances in certain regions. This is partly due to consumer preference and concerns about the environment, as well as local energy prices and availability. It is important to consider the kitchen's cost of utility and infrastructure before choosing a style.
Induction Hobs
Induction hobs are a favourite for our customers who want a sleek and clean-looking kitchen. Magnetism is used to heat the pans, rather than the surface being heated or burning gas beneath. Copper coils are situated beneath the glass ceramic surface. An alternating electric current is passed through them. When an induction-compatible pot or pan is placed over the cooker, the coils detect its magnetic base and heat the pot or pan directly. This is much faster than traditional gas hobs, and is more energy efficient too. The glass-ceramic surface remains cool to the touch and is also easy to wipe down.
Induction hobs are designed to be simpler than gas hobs to wash. To keep your induction stove as fresh as new, all you require is a dampened cloth.
Induction cooking requires that you use the right cookware. Stainless steel, cast iron and some non-stick cookware are compatible, but they must have an induction-compatible magnetic base. If you're not sure whether your existing cookware is induction-compatible, a quick test is to place a magnet on the bottom of the pan. If it sticks firmly, then your pan is induction-compatible.
There are a variety of induction hobs that are available starting from the cheapest models to premium brands that have TFT displays and an extensive menu of operating options. If a pan is placed in a zone of power, the hob will show its location on the full-color display, and also have an adjustment button or slider enabling you to alter the power setting or set an alarm. There are also smart accessories that are available, like pan sensors that adhere to the sides of your cookware and communicate with the hob via bluetooth to control the power in a precise manner.
One of our most adored models is an induction hob with an integrated extractor fan to cut down on steam, smoke and cooking smells. This model is ideal for homes with limited space as it removes the requirement for a separate extractor fan. It uses magnetic fields that are within the kilohertz frequency range to generate heat that is then absorbed by the pan and its contents. In normal operation the magnetic fields are within the range of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection's standard value for the magnetic density for the relevant frequency. There are no health risks to be expected.
Electric Hobs
The top electric hobs have a sleek design and are designed to match the majority of kitchen designs. They are ideal for those who prefer using touch controls to dials, and they come with a variety of options that will suit your cooking requirements. The majority of these are made from glass, which is easy to clean and stylish in a white or black design. Certain models come with bridge features that allow you to connect two zones to fit larger pans while others come with an additional power boost button to provide extra heat for tasks that require a lot of effort.
Induction hobs are gaining popularity because they offer a contemporary and sleek design that is in keeping with modern kitchen designs. They also cook quickly and provide a high degree of security. They are more likely to cool faster than gas cookers, and they come with an indicator light that stays in place when the cooking area is hot to the touch. They also work more efficiently because the magnetic field only heats the pan, not the air surrounding it.
There are a few things to take into consideration when selecting an electric hob. Most require an electric power source that is configured with the right cables and breakers. We suggest having it installed by a certified electrician. They can also be expensive and you'll need an induction pan that is compatible with the pans to get the best out of them. They may also be more expensive to run because they often use more energy than other types of hobs.
If you're considering building a new kitchen or replacing your existing hob then why not take to look through our vast range of kitchen appliances? We can help you choose the perfect oven hob to suit your style and cooking preferences. Our experts are on hand to answer your questions and discuss the options with you. We provide the delivery service across the country and can even install your new appliance for you should you wish us to.