A Guide to Ovens 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 ovens and hobs today.
Electric hobs heat up with various 'cooking ring' designs that have between four and six different power levels. It can take a few minutes to get them heated up and cool down.
Hobs in various types
The stove top, kitchen hob or range cooker (the latter is the main cooking appliance that you roast and bake food in) is an essential part of every home. It is used for a variety of cooking techniques, which is why it's crucial to select the best ovens and hobs hob for your needs. There's a type of hob for everyone, whether you're a professional chef who prefers precision or a busy home cook seeking speed.
Induction and electric ceramic hobs feature a frameless, flat design that enhances the modern look of any kitchen. Each of the five or four 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. However, they can be more expensive than gas hobs, and they may take longer to heat up and cool down.
Gas hobs offer instant heat and allow for precise control, which makes them popular amongst chefs. Gas hobs are also safer because they have built-in safety mechanisms for flame failure that shut off the gas supply in the event there is a leak. They may be less efficient than electric or induction hobs. They are also harder to clean because of the pan's supports and stove burners.
Plate hobs are the traditional design of the hob and have been around for decades. They have a flat surface with electric or gas rings that are heated when you turn the dial. They're economical, but not the Best place to buy oven and hob choice for cast iron cookware and do not distribute heat evenly across the entire surface.
Induction hobs use an electromagnetic field to directly heat your pan, rather than heating the hob surface like traditional hobs. They're more secure than gas and have no open flame, and are easy to wipe clean. They are also more expensive and take longer to heat and cool than electric hobs or gas.
Gas hobs
A gas hob is a popular choice for home cooks due to its quick heating capability and easy control. There are models that have between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner for stir-fry cooking. Some hobs have a visual indicator that tells you whether the burner is on or off.
They are faster to cook food than electric or induction models, and are therefore perfect for busy kitchens. They are also less expensive to operate than electric hobs, assuming you use electricity from a supplier that generates renewable energy sources.
You can pick between freestanding or built-in gas hobs. If you're planning to redesign your kitchen, freestanding models are better because you can move them easily. However, they're difficult to install and may require hacking into your completed carpentry, which isn't ideal for all homes.
They have a flat and smooth surface, making them easy to clean. Stainless steel trims are often employed, and can be fitted to a variety of kitchen designs. Some feature touch-sensitive controls, as well as a power boost function that allows you to boost the intensity of a specific burner by up to 50%, so you can bring a pot of water to a boil in no time.
Some gas hobs come with an automatic safety feature that shuts off the gas supply when the flame goes out. This means that you don't have to worry about accidentally setting off the fire. They are also less expensive than electric hobs to operate, and also provide precise temperature control for a variety of cooking techniques.
It's important to mention that gas hobs release carbon dioxide as they burn, which can be a problem for environmentally conscious consumers. There are models that don't emit CO2 while in use. These gas hobs with zero emissions or eco-friendly gas stoves' have all the features of a traditional gas stove but emits zero CO2.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a popular choice in kitchens of any style. They provide a range of advantages over other types. Electric hobs heat up and cool off quicker than gas hobs. This means that less residual heat is left when 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 cost less to run than gas models.
Most commonly seen in modern kitchens, ceramic or glass electric hobs provide a sleek and elegant appearance that's both easy to clean and safe to touch. Their flat surface also makes them a preferred choice for parents with children, as they aren't likely to be scratched or smashed by heavy pans. They're also relatively cheap to run and can be easily repaired in the event of damage.
In contrast to traditional plate hobs that make use of coils to generate heat which is transferred to cookware, ceramic hobs use an induction system to directly heat the pan. They can heat and cool much faster and are suitable for any type of cookware. They're typically more expensive than electric plate hobs, however they'll save you money on energy costs in the long run because of their high efficiency and the way they convert nearly all electrical energy into usable heat.
It's important that you maintain your ceramic or tempered glass hob regularly to avoid any issues. Cleaning the cooktop with non-abrasive cleaners is highly recommended, as is checking for and replacing any faulty heating controls and cleaning out the grates or burner caps regularly. It's also important to watch for any indications of gas odour, as this could be a sign of an issue with gas lines or a gas leak. If you suspect this, it's advisable to contact a gas professional to seek assistance. Make sure that the stove has cooled completely before cleaning to avoid any serious damage. This will also help avoid any accidental fires or spills!
Induction hobs
Induction cookers are an innovative alternative to traditional electric and gas hobs. They use magnets instead of the cooktop to heat the pan. This lets them heat up faster than other types of hobs, and they can reduce energy consumption in the long run. The cooktop surface is cool to the touch. Many models come with safety features such as automatic shutoff to prevent accidents.
Most induction hobs have a ceramic or Best hob uk glass top and are powered by an alternating current, which creates a magnetic field for heating. A pan that is induction-compatible must have a flat bottom and an iron or steel core, and the magnetic field only gets activated when the pan is placed in the cooking zone. The majority of hobs have a "bridging zone" that can join two zones together to allow for larger pans.
Induction hobs are known for their efficiency, and a lot of people have reported a dip in their overall energy bills after switching to one. Induction hobs are also thought to be more secure, since the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch and decreases the risk for 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 pose a burn danger.
Most induction hobs come with different control types that are the simplest being an easy-to-use power bar/touch mark that is placed on the surface of the hob, or a fully functional TFT display which displays all options, and lets you change power levels as well as set timers, and more. More advanced Induction hob hobs have lots of small copper coils that are tightly grouped together beneath the cooktop, and the magnet beneath each one will sense the moment you place your pan. It will activate the coil that is appropriate for the pan size and shape.
All of our hobs and ovens are available as freestanding models or easily integrated into your kitchen's units and worktops for a an elegant, seamless appearance. Our entire range of products ranges from slick black and stainless-steel finishes to trendy copper and ceramic. Be sure to take a look at our other appliances, too including refrigerator freezers and washing machines, to get your kitchen running exactly as it should.