How Hobs Became The Hottest Trend Of 2024
A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Stoves and ovens can be seamlessly integrated into kitchen worktops or kitchen units to give it a modern and sleek appearance. Shop our full oven and hob collection today.
Electric hobs provide heat via various cooking rings, which can range from four to six power levels. They can take a while to warm up before cooling down.
Types of hobs
The stove top, kitchen hob or range cooker (the latter being the whole cooking appliance you roast and bake things in) is an essential part of every home. It is used to cook many different food items and, for this reason it is essential to select the best ovens hob to suit your cooking style. There's a hob that's suitable for everyone, no matter if you're a pro chef who likes precision or a busy home cook who wants speed.
Induction and electric ceramic hobs feature a flat, frameless design that improves the sleek appearance of any kitchen. Each of the four or five zones can be controlled by a separate dial. This gives you the option of boiling potatoes on one ring while sautéing sausages in another which is ideal for busy families. They also rapidly heat up and feature a a smooth surface that makes them easy to wipe clean. However, they can be more expensive than gas hobs and could take longer to cool down and heat down.
Gas hobs are quick to heat and provide precise control, making them popular amongst chefs. They are also safe and come with built-in flame fail safety systems that cut off the gas supply if there's leak. However, they can be less efficient than induction or electric hobs and are harder to clean due to the burners and pan supports.
Plate hobs are the classic design of the hob that has been in use for decades. They feature a flat surface with gas or electric rings that get heated when you turn the dial. They're economical, but not ideal for cast iron cookware and do not evenly distribute heat across the entire surface.
Induction hobs heat your pan directly, instead of heating the surface of the hob like traditional hobs. They are safer as there's no open flame. They're also simple to clean. They are also more expensive and take longer to heat and cool than electric or gas hobs.
Gas hobs
Gas hobs are a common choice among home cooks because of their quick heating capabilities as well as their ease of control. You can usually find models with between two and six burners. Some include a wok burner designed for stir-fry 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 with a lot of activity. They are also cheaper to operate than electric hobs, in the event that you are using electricity from a supplier that produces renewable energy sources.
You can choose to buy freestanding gas hobs, or built-in models. If you're planning to redesign your kitchen, freestanding models are the best ovens and hobs choice because you can move them easily. However, they are difficult to install and could require hacking into your finished carpentry, which isn't suitable for all homes.
They have a smooth and flat surface, making them easy to clean. The stainless steel trims are commonly employed, and can be fitted to a variety of kitchen designs. Some even feature touch-sensitive controls, as well as an energy boost feature that allows you to increase the power of a specific burner by as much as 50%, so you can bring a pot of water to a boil in no time.
Some gas hobs have an automatic safety system that stops the flow of gas when the flame goes out and you're not at risk of creating a fire by accident. Gas hobs are less expensive to run than some electric hobs, oven and hob they allow for precise temperature control.
It's important to note that gas hobs produce carbon dioxide as they burn, which may be an issue for people who are concerned about the environment. There are, however, models available that don't emit any CO2 while they're in use. These gas hobs that are zero-emission,' or eco-friendly gas stoves', have all the features of a standard gas model while emitting no CO2.
Electric hobs
A popular choice for kitchens of all styles, electric hobs offer many advantages over other types of cookers. Electric hobs can heat up and cool off quicker than gas hobs. This means that less heat is left after the cookware is removed. They also heat more evenly and are less likely to have hot spots than some gas models. Electric models are also easier to maintain and less expensive to operate than gas models.
Ceramic or glass electric hobs are commonly used in modern kitchens. They have a sleek, stylish look that is easy to clean. They are also safe to use. Their flat surface also makes them a preferred choice for those with children, as they aren't likely to be damaged or crushed by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and are able to be repaired when damaged.
In contrast to traditional plate hobs that make use of coils to generate heat which is then transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs employ an induction system that heats directly the pan. They are able to heat and cool faster and are suitable to cook with any type of cookware. These are often more expensive than electric plate stoves, however, they will save money in the long term due to their high efficiency.
Despite their simplistic design, it's crucial to regularly maintain your glass or ceramic hob to avoid any problems. For example cleaning the cooktop with a non-abrasive cleaning solution is recommended, as is checking and replacing damaged heating controls and regularly clearing out the grates and burner caps. It is also essential to look for any indications of gas odour as this could represent an issue with gas lines or a gas leak. It is best hobs to contact a professional gas technician for assistance if you suspect there is a problem. Always make sure that the hob has cooled completely before cleaning to avoid severe damage. This will also stop any accidental spills and fires!
Hobs with induction
The modern alternative to traditional gas and electric hobs, induction cookers use an electric field to heat the pan rather than the cooktop itself. This lets them heat up faster than other types of hobs and can reduce energy consumption in the long run. They are also safer to use since the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch and most have safety features, such as an automatic shut off to prevent accidents.
Most induction hobs feature a glass or ceramic top and are powered by an alternating current, which creates the magnetic field for heating. 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 a "bridging zone" that can join two zones together to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency, and a lot of users report a dip in their coverall energy costs after switching to one. They are also considered to be more secure since the cooktop's surface stays cool to the touch, reducing the risk of burns, and it only heats the pan and its contents. This makes them more child-friendly than gas or electric hobs which can become extremely hot and pose a burn hazard.
Most induction hobs have different control options. The most basic one is an easy touch bar/power bar at the top of the hob. Others come with an all-inclusive display that displays all the options available, and allows you to easily alter the power levels and set timers. Hobs that are induction equipped with more advanced technology come with many small copper coils that are tightly grouped together under the cooktop. The magnet underneath each coil is able to detect when the pan is placed. It then activates the required coil to match the pan's shape and size.
All of our ovens and hobs are available as freestanding models or are neatly integrated into your kitchen's worktops and units for a a sleek, seamless look. Our selection includes everything from sleek stainless steel and black finishes to on-trend copper and ceramic. Explore our other kitchen appliances, including dishwashers refrigerator freezers, and washing machines that will make your kitchen run smoothly.