A Guide to the Best Hobs in the UK
A hob is a cooker top that is affixed to a worktop and is separate from an oven. A cooker is a freestanding unit that includes both a hob and an oven.
Mischievous - and possibly malignant sprites from the countryside, Hobs were often combined with Goblin to give us the Hobgoblin.
Gas Hobs
A good hob is essential in modern kitchens. There's a range of ovens hobs to fit every budget and style whether you're looking for ceramic, induction, or gas. A quality hob will heat quickly and evenly and allow you to cook food in a matter of minutes. It also provides an elegant look to your kitchen.
One of the main advantages of a gas cooker is its precise temperature control. It's easy to reach high temperatures which is perfect for boiling water, searing meat and stir-frying vegetables. Its ability to adjust heat output quickly makes it ideal for delicate dishes or sauces that require the use of a lower temperature setting.
Gas hobs are also energy efficient. Gas is less expensive than electricity and can be used to power hobs. Furthermore, it uses a direct flame to heat the utensils, which means that there is less wasted energy around the edges of the burners.
Modern gas hobs are designed with a sleek appearance to match any kitchen design. You can choose models with a glossy black or stainless steel finishes that blend seamlessly into the decor and make your kitchen look more modern. You can also pick a glass ceramic model that is easy to clean and extremely durable.
Gas hobs are a popular option for modern kitchens because of their versatility and convenience. They can also complement traditional kitchen designs, especially when you incorporate the range cooker into your layout. However, it's important to keep in mind that they can increase the risk of fire when compared with electric or induction hobs. This is due to the fact that they don't have the added security features that allow them to be turned off immediately and having child-safety locks on the control knobs.
When it comes to choosing gas hobs it is important to think about the number of cooking zones and burners you require. You can find models with one, two or five cooking zones. A majority of models feature central woks, which is an extremely powerful burner that can be used for rapid boiling or stir-frying. You should also check the type of ignition system you are using. Most gas hobs use an electric spark or an ongoing electric pilot flame to light the burners.
Induction Hobs
While gas hobs are a popular choice for home cooks, induction cookers are gaining popularity due to their efficiency and speed. These flat glass-topped hobs use magnetism to heat the contents of the pan rather than heating the surface which makes them more efficient and also safer as there is no flame beneath. Induction hobs have a range of features, including some which our Good Housekeeping Institute experts have found to be extremely useful.
One of these is a bridge function which allows you to join two hob rings to make room for larger pans. You can also choose to manage the temperature of each ring individually by using the touchscreen panel. This is an excellent option for those who like to entertain. It can also be a lifesaver if there are guests who have different dietary requirements. It is worth noting though that induction hobs aren't suitable for people who wear pacemakers since they produce electromagnetic fields that could interfere with their function.
The British Heart Foundation recommends that you keep a distance of 60cm between any source of power and an active hob especially if you're wearing pacemakers. The magnetic field created by the hob could interact with some electrical devices and cause malfunction, so you'll want to make sure that the device isn't within reach of an oven or an area of cooking live.
This model from CDA is another induction hob that we provide. It has five zones and various functions, including melt and simmer, which are great for slow-cooked stews or bain-maries. The hb was also designed with safety in the mind. It comes with child locks, anti-overflow, and overheat settings.
This induction hob comes with a more modern design than others. This is evident by the sleek black surface that will blend well with most kitchen designs. It has a range of features that include a pause function that lets you switch off the stove without removing the pan and the boost feature that gives extra power for a quick heat-up. It is also rated energy efficient and its touch-screen is equipped with handy pre-set options for your favourite recipes.
LPG Hobs
Gas hobs can be controlled to instant heat, with the ability to reach far higher temperatures than electric cooktops. Gas hobs are a favorite in both commercial and residential kitchens. They can be used to cook leftovers or to create culinary masterpieces.
Our range of LPG gas hobs includes an array of sizes ranging from 60cm, which includes 4 burners up to 90cm which comprises five or six burners. Many of these hobs are also compatible with natural gas by using a an easy conversion kit making them the ideal solution for homes with existing mains connections.
All our gas hobs and ovens are made by brands you trust like Falcon, Imperial and Lincat with models that are available in a selection of finishes. From stainless steel to black glass, you're bound to find a model that will suit your home and match other appliances in your kitchen.
There are plenty of features to consider when choosing gas hobs, with some models offering automatic pan detection for greater safety. This lets the cooking zones be activated only after the necessary cookware is placed to avoid heat loss. Some hobs have interchangeable cooking zones that can be used to accommodate different sizes of pans. Some hobs have child locks to keep unintentional fingers from the controls. Some even have an auto switch off feature that turns the hob off if it's not utilized for a specified amount of time.
Another great thing about LPG is that it's more widely available than electricity, which is usually difficult to locate in rural areas. The liquid form of LPG makes it easy to store and transport, making it an perfect for those who live in remote areas or run catering businesses without access to mains-gas.
Our selection of gas hobs provides a variety of options, with some of our models offering quick boiling times for water of less than five minutes. This makes them ideal for cooking pasta, potatoes and other favourites in busy kitchens where time is crucial. A majority of our hobs are equipped with flat cast iron pan supports to ensure durability and a flame failure safety feature that ensures that the flame never extinguishes.
Contact Us
When you cook for guests or family, the right cooktop can make all the difference. Our team of kitchen experts will guide you through the four most popular kinds, helping you to identify the cooker hob which is best suited to your cooking style and lifestyle.
Gas hobs provide excellent precision and control, and come in a range of styles to choose from, from 4 to 6 burners. You can also find models that can be converted to use LPG, a safer and cheaper fuel. Our range includes all the top brands, with a wide choice of finishes and colours to match your kitchen style.
The word hob is an old English phrase that was originally used to mean "a shelf, grate or fireside'. It's an old term that reflects the way we cooked in our homes years ago, with huge fireplaces and shelves that were separate from where pots were set to cook. Nowadays, kitchens are fitted with an oven and a separate stove top (hob) that can be electric or gas-powered.
Other countries might refer to the stove as a cooker, but the British call it hob. Hobs are a separate appliance that uses heating rings that heat pots as well as a cooker, which is a larger freestanding unit comprising both an oven and a hob. A range cooker is a large combination of a stove and oven, which is often integrated into the worktop. More information about the affected gas hobs as well as hazard descriptions and product identifiers can be found on the Product Safety Report pages linked to above.