A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Stoves and ovens can be integrated neatly into your kitchen worktops or kitchen units to give it modern and sleek appearance. Explore our complete oven and hob collection today.
Electric hobs are heated by various cooking rings that can have anywhere from four to six different power levels. They can take a while to warm up and cool down.
Types of hobs
Every home is incomplete without the kitchen hob, range cooker or stovetop (the latter is a complete cooking appliance in which you can bake and roast food). It is used for a variety cooking methods, and it's crucial to select the best hob for you. No matter if you're a seasoned chef who favours precision or a busy family cook who wants speed, there's a hob to suit your requirements.
Induction and electric stoves are frameless and flat and add to the sleek appearance of any kitchen. Each of the five or four zones can be controlled by a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring and sautéing the sausages on a different. This is perfect 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 cool down.
Gas hobs provide instant heat and provide precise control, which makes them popular with chefs. Gas hobs are also secure because they are equipped with safety mechanisms for fire failures that stop the gas supply in the event of a leak. However, they can be less efficient than induction or electric hobs and are harder to clean because of the pan supports and burners.
Plate hobs are the most popular design of the hob and have been used for decades. They feature a flat top that has gas or electric rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They're inexpensive, but they're not the best ovens uk choice for cooking with cast iron because they do not evenly distribute heat across the whole 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 easy to clean. They're also more expensive than electric or gas hobs and may take longer to warm up and cool down.
Gas hobs
Gas hobs are a preferred choice for home cooks due to of their speedy heating capabilities and ease of control. There are usually models that have between two and six burners. Some models include a wok-burner for stir-frying cooking. Some have a visible flame indicator that shows you whether the hob is on or off.
They heat food quicker than electric or induction models, making them ideal for kitchens with a lot of activity. They are also less expensive to operate than electric hobs, in the event that you are using electricity from a provider that produces renewable energy sources.
You can get freestanding gas hobs, or built-in models. The latter are a better option if you're planning to remodel your kitchen as they are easy to move later. However, they can be difficult to install and may require hacking into your completed carpentry, which isn't ideal for all homes.
Freestanding models feature a smooth, flat surface which makes them easier to clean than other kinds of hobs. Trims made of stainless steel are frequently used, which can be matched to many kitchen designs. Some even come with touch-sensitive controls as well as a power boost function that lets you increase the intensity of a specific burner by as much as 50%, so you can bring a pot of water to a boil in no time.
Certain gas hobs are equipped with an automatic safety feature that stops gas supply when the flame has gone out. This means you don't need to worry about accidentally setting off the fire. Gas hobs are less expensive to run than some electric ones, and they allow for precise temperature control.
It's important to note that gas hobs emit carbon dioxide as they burn, which can be an issue for environmentally conscious consumers. There are, however, models that don't produce any CO2 at all while they're being used. Known as "zero emission gas hobs' or eco-friendly gas hobs, they have all the features that are typical of a traditional gas model but emit no CO2 in operation.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a popular choice for kitchens of any design. They provide a range of advantages over other types. Electric hobs can heat up and cool off quicker than gas hobs. This means that less residual heat remains after the cookware is removed. They are more evenly heated and are less likely to develop hot spots than certain 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 provide an elegant and fashionable appearance that's both easy to clean and safe to contact. They're also a great 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 easily replaced when damaged.
Ceramic hobs are able to heat directly the pan, in contrast to traditional plate hobs, which use coils to heat the pan. This means they can heat up and cool down faster, and can be used with any kind of cookware. They're generally more expensive than electric plate hobs, however they'll reduce your energy costs over the long term because of 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 stove regularly to avoid any problems. For instance, cleaning the cooktop with a non-abrasive cleaner is recommended, as is checking and replacing damaged heating controls and regularly cleaning out the grates and burner caps. It's also important to keep an eye out for any signs of gas odour, as it could indicate a problem with the gas lines or a gas leak. It is best to contact a professional gas technician to assistance if you suspect that there is a problem. Always ensure that the hob has cooled completely prior to cleaning in order to prevent any serious damage. This will also stop any accidental spills and fires!
Hobs with induction
Induction cookers are an innovative alternative to gas and electric hobs oven. They utilize magnets instead of a cooktop to heat the pan. This allows them to heat up faster than other types of hobs, and they can save energy in the long run. They are also a lot safer to use because the cooktop's surface stays cool to the touch, and many have safety features, such as an automatic shut-off to avoid accidents.
Induction hobs are usually ceramic or glass that have an alternating current that creates an electric field that heats. Induction-compatible cookware must have a flat base and a steel core. The magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed over the cooking zone. Most hobs feature the bridging zone, which can connect two zones to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for efficiency. Many have reported a reduction in their overall energy costs when they switch to one. They are also thought to be safer as the cooktop's surface stays cool to the edge, reducing the risk of burns, and it only heating the pan and its contents. This makes them more suitable for children than electric or gas stoves that can get very hot and pose a burn risk.
Most induction hobs come with different types of controls, the most basic being an easy-to-use power bar/touch mark that is placed on the surface of the hob, or a fully functional TFT display that displays all the options, and lets you adjust the power levels as well as set timers, and more. Modern induction hobs feature many small copper coils, tightly placed beneath the cooktop, and the magnet beneath each one will detect the pan you are placing it. It activates the coil that is suitable for the pan's size and shape.
All of our ovens and hobs uk and hobs can be purchased as freestanding models or seamlessly integrated into your kitchen units for sleek and seamless design. Our selection includes everything from sleek stainless steel and black finishes to contemporary copper and ceramic. Be sure to check out our other appliances as well such as dishwashers, fridge freezers and washing machines, to make sure that your kitchen functioning just as it should.