A Guide to Ovens and Hobs

Ovens and hobs add modern, sleek style to any kitchen and can be easily integrated into your worktops and kitchen units. Shop our entire oven and hob collection today.

Electric hobs heat up using various 'cooking ring designs that come with between four and six different power levels. They can take a while to get warm and cool down.

Hobs of different types

The kitchen hob, stove top or range cooker (the latter is the main cooking appliance you roast and bake things in) is an essential component of every home. It is used to prepare many different meals, and as such it is essential to select the appropriate hob for your cooking style. Whether you are a master chef who favours precision or a busy family cook who wants speed, there's a cooker that will meet your needs.

Induction and electric stoves are flat and frameless and add to the sleek design of any kitchen. They come with five or four cooking zones each one operated independently by a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring and sauteing sausages on another. This is perfect for busy families. They also are quick to heat up and have a a smooth surface that makes them easy to clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs and may take longer to cool down.

Gas hobs are popular among chefs due to their quick heat, and allow precise control. Gas hobs are also safe since they come with safety systems to prevent flame failure, which stop the gas supply in the event of a leak. However, they are less efficient in energy than induction or electric hobs and are more difficult to clean because of the pan supports and burners.

Plate hobs have been around for decades. They have a flat surface with gas or electric rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They're inexpensive, but they're not ideal for cooking with cast iron because they do not distribute heat evenly across the whole surface.

Induction hobs are able to heat your pan directly, instead of heating up the surface of the hob like traditional hobs. They're more secure than gas and have no open flames and are easy to wipe clean. They are also more expensive and take longer to cool and heat than electric hobs or gas.

Gas hobs

A gas hob is a popular choice for cooks at home because of its fast heating capability and easy control. There are usually models that offer between two and six burners. Some have a wok burner specifically designed for stir-frying cooking. Some hobs have a visual indicator that tells you whether the burner is running or off.

They are faster at heating food than induction models or electric models, so are ideal for kitchens with a lot of activity. They can be cheaper to operate than electric hobs, if you use electricity generated by renewable energy sources.

You can choose between freestanding or built-in gas hobs. If you're planning to redesign your kitchen, the freestanding models are the best oven choice because you can move them easily. However, they are difficult to install and could require hacking into your completed carpentry, which isn't suitable for all homes.

They have a smooth and flat surface, which makes them easier to clean. They usually have sleek, stainless steel trims that can be integrated into a variety of kitchen designs. Certain models come with control knobs that are touch-sensitive, and some even feature a power boost feature that increases the intensity of the burner by 50%.

Some gas hobs have an automatic safety system that shuts off the supply of gas once the flame is gone and you're not at risk of creating a fire by accident. They are also less expensive than electric hobs to operate, and also provide precise temperature control for various cooking techniques.

Gas hobs emit carbon dioxide when they burn. This could be a problem for environmentally conscious customers. There are, however, models that don't release any CO2 at all while they're being used. These 'zero-emission gas best hobs uk,' or eco-friendly gas stoves', have all the features of a conventional gas stove but emits zero CO2.

Electric hobs

A common choice for kitchens of all types, electric hobs offer many advantages over other types of cooker. Electric hobs are able to heat up and cool down quicker than gas hobs. This means that less heat is left when the cookware is removed. They also heat more evenly and are less prone to hot spots than gas models. Because they are electric, they require less maintenance and are cheaper to operate than gas.

Most often found in modern kitchens ceramic or glass electric hobs provide an elegant and fashionable appearance that is both easy to clean and safe to contact. They're also a good choice for families with kids since their flat surfaces are less likely to be damaged by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and are easily replaced when damaged.

Ceramic hobs heat directly the pan, in contrast to traditional plate hobs that rely on coils to heat the pan. This means that they heat up and cool down much quicker, and can be used with any type of cookware. They can be more expensive than electric plate stoves however, they will save money in the long run because of their efficiency.

Despite their simplicity in design, it's crucial to regularly maintain your ceramic or glass hob to avoid any problems. For example, cleaning the cooktop with an anti-abrasive cleaner is recommended as well as checking and replacing faulty heating controls and regularly clearing out burner caps and grates. Keep an eye out for gas odours as they could indicate a problem in the gas lines or leaks. If you suspect this, it's recommended to speak with a professional gas engineer to seek assistance. Always ensure that the stove has cooled completely before cleaning to avoid severe damage. This will also help avoid accidental fires or spills!

Induction hobs

A modern alternative to traditional gas and electric hobs, induction cookers use an electric field to heat the pan rather than the cooktop. This allows them to heat much more quickly than other types of hobs and ovens and can reduce energy consumption in the long run. The cooktop's surface is cool to the touch, and a lot of models have safety features like automatic shutoff to avoid accidents.

Induction hobs are usually glass or ceramic with an alternating current that creates a magnetic field to heat. An induction-compatible pan must be flat on the bottom and an iron or steel core, and the magnetic field only gets activated when the pan is placed on the cooking zone. Most best hobs feature an bridging zone that can connect two zones to accommodate larger pans.

Induction hobs are well-known for their efficiency, and a lot of users report a dip in their coverall energy costs after switching to one. They are also believed to be more secure since the cooktop's surface stays cool to the touch, reducing the risk of burns, and only heating the pan and its contents. This makes them more child-friendly than gas or electric hobs that can get very hot and pose a burn risk.

The majority of induction hobs come with different control options. The most basic is a simple touch bar/power bar at the top of the hob. Others come with a fully-functional display that shows all options and allows you to alter the power levels and set timers. Induction hobs that are more sophisticated feature many copper coils of varying sizes that are placed tightly together beneath the cooktop. The magnet underneath each coil senses the time when the pan is placed. It will activate the coil that is appropriate for the pan size and shape.

All of our ovens and hobs are available as freestanding models or are easily integrated into your kitchen's worktops and units for a an elegant, seamless look. Our selection includes everything from sleek stainless steel and black finishes to on-trend ceramic and copper. Explore our other kitchen appliances, including dishwashers refrigerator freezers, and washing machines to make your kitchen function properly.