A Guide to ovens hobs and Hobs
Ovens and hobs add a sleek, modern feel to any kitchen, and can be seamlessly integrated into your worktops and kitchen units. Shop our full range of best ovens and hobs uk and hobs now.
Electric hobs heat up using different 'cooking rings' that can range between four and six power levels. It can take some time to get them heated up and cool down.
Hobs in various types
Each home is incomplete without an oven, kitchen hob cooker or stovetop (the latter being a whole cooking appliance that can roast and bake food). It is used to cook all manner of food items and, for this reason it is essential to select the appropriate hob to suit your cooking style. Whether you are a master chef who values precision or a busy family cook who wants speed, there's a kitchen appliance that will meet your needs.
Induction and electric stoves are completely flat and frameless, adding to the sleek appearance of any kitchen. Each of the four or five zones can be controlled with an individual dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring while sautéing the sausages on a different. This is perfect for busy families. They heat up quickly and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. They can be more costly than gas hobs, and may take longer to heat up and cool down.
Gas hobs are quick to heat and provide precise control, making them popular amongst chefs. They're also safe, with built-in flame failure safety systems that shut off gas flow if there is leak. They can be less efficient than electrical or induction hobs, and they are harder to clean because of the pan's support and stove burners.
Plate hobs have been in use for a long time. They have a flat surface with gas or electric rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They're economical, but not ideal for cast iron cookware and don't distribute heat evenly across the entire surface.
Induction hobs use an electromagnetic field to heat your pan, instead of heating the hob surface 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 electric or gas hobs.
Gas hobs
Gas hobs are a popular choice among home cooks because of their fast heating capabilities and ease of control. You can find models with between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner for stir-frying cooking. Some have a visible flame indicator that indicates whether the hob is on or off.
They heat food quicker than electric or induction models, and are therefore perfect for kitchens that are busy. They can also be cheaper to run than electric hobs assuming you use electricity from a company which generates renewable energy sources.
You can choose to buy gas hobs that are freestanding or built-in models. If you plan to remodel your kitchen, the freestanding models are more suitable because you can move them easily. They can be difficult to put in, and may require you to rip out your carpentry work. This isn't the Best Ovens And Hobs Uk choice for every home.
Freestanding models have a flat, smooth surface that makes them much easier to clean than other kinds of hobs. They usually have sleek, stainless steel trims, that can be integrated into a variety of kitchen designs. Some come with touch-sensitive controls as well as an energy boost feature that allows you to increase the intensity of a specific burner by up to 50%, so you can bring a pan of water to a boiling point in a matter of minutes.
Some gas hobs feature an automatic safety system that shuts off the supply of gas once the flame goes out, so you don't risk accidentally causing a fire. Gas hobs are generally less expensive to run than electric ones, and they allow for precise temperature control.
It's important to mention that gas hobs emit carbon dioxide as they burn, which may be a problem for people who are concerned about the environment. Fortunately, there are models that don't release any CO2 whatsoever when they're being used. These 'zero-emission gas hobs,' or eco-friendly gas stoves' have all the features of a traditional gas stove, but emits zero CO2.
Electric hobs
A favorite choice for kitchens of all types electric hobs provide many advantages over other types of cooker. Electric hobs heat up and cool off quicker than gas hobs. This means that less residual heat is left after the cookware is removed. They also heat more consistently and are less prone to hot spots than some gas models. Electric models are also simpler to maintain and less expensive to operate than gas models.
Most commonly used 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're also a good option for families with children as their flat surface is less likely to be damaged by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and can be repaired when damaged.
In contrast to traditional plate hobs that make use of coils to generate heat which is transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs utilize an induction system to directly heat the pan. They are able to heat and cool faster and are suitable for any type of cookware. These are often more expensive than electric plate stoves, however they can save you money in the long term due to their high efficiency.
Despite their simplicity in design, it is important to maintain your ceramic or glass hob to avoid any problems. Cleaning the cooktop using non-abrasive cleaners is recommended, as well as checking for and replacing any faulty heating controls and cleaning out burner caps or grates regularly. Be on the lookout for gas smells, because they could indicate an issue with the gas lines or gas leaks. If you suspect this, it's advisable to speak with a professional gas engineer for assistance. Make sure that the hob has cooled completely prior to cleaning it in order to prevent any severe damage. This will also help to avoid accidental fires or spills!
Induction hobs
Induction cookers are a contemporary alternative to traditional electric and gas hobs. They use a magnetic field instead of a cooktop to heat the pan. This allows them to heat up faster than other hobs and can save energy in the long run. They are also a lot safer to use as the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch, and most have safety features like automatic shut-off to avoid accidents.
Induction hobs are typically glass or ceramic with an alternating current that creates an electric field that heats. A pan that is compatible with induction must have a flat bottom and a steel or iron core. The magnetic field is only activated when the pan is placed in the cooking zone. Most hobs feature the bridging zone, which can connect two zones to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency. Many have reported a reduction in their energy usage when they change to one. They are also considered to be safer as the cooktop surface stays cool to the touch, reducing the risk of burns, and it only heating the pan and its contents. This makes them safer for children than electric or gas hobs which can get extremely hot.
Most induction cooktops come with a variety of control types. The simplest is a simple touch bar/power bar at the top of the hob. Others come with an all-inclusive display that displays all options and allows you to easily change power levels and set timers. Induction hobs that are more sophisticated feature many copper coils of varying sizes that are grouped tightly together beneath the cooktop. The magnet beneath each coil detects the moment that the pan is placed. Then, it activates the appropriate coil to match the pan's shape and size.
All of our ovens and hobs are available as freestanding models or easily integrated into your kitchen's units and worktops for a an elegant, seamless look. Our complete range includes everything from slick black and stainless-steel finishes to trendy copper and ceramic. Make sure to take a look at our other appliances, too, including dishwashers, fridge freezers and washing machines, to get your kitchen running as it should.