A Guide to Ovens and
ovens hobs Hobs
Hobs and ovens give an elegant, modern look to any kitchen, and can be seamlessly integrated into your kitchen worktops and units. Shop our full range of ovens and hobs now.
Electric hobs heat up with a variety of 'cooking ring designs, which have between four and six power levels. They can take some time to get warm and cool down.
Types of hobs
Every home should have a kitchen hob, range cooker, or stovetop (the latter being a whole cooking appliance that can roast and bake food items). It is used to cook various food items and, for this reason it is essential to select the best hob for your cooking style. There's a type of hob for everyone, no matter if you're a professional chef who likes precision or a busy home cook looking for speed.
Induction and electric stoves are flat and frameless and add to the sleek appearance of any kitchen. They have either four or five cooking zones each one operated independently by a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring and sauteing sausages on another. This is great for busy families. They are quick to heat up and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. They can be more costly than gas hobs, and might take longer to heat and cool down.
Gas hobs offer instant heat and allow for precise control, making them popular with chefs. Gas hobs are also safer since they come with safety systems for flame failure, which shut off the gas supply in case there is a leak. They are less efficient than electrical or induction hobs, and are more difficult to clean due the fact of the pan's support and stove burners.
Plate hobs have been in use since decades. They have a flat, smooth surface with gas or electric rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They are economical but not the
best ovens choice for cookware made of cast iron, and they don't evenly distribute heat over the entire surface.
Induction hobs make use of an electromagnetic field to directly heat your pan rather than heating the hob surface like traditional hobs. They are safer as there's no open flame. They are also easy to 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 common option for home cooks due to its speedy heating capability and easy control. There are usually models that offer between two and six burners. Some models include a wok-burner to cook stir-fry. Others have a visual flame indicator that tells you whether the
hob is on or off.
They are faster to cook food than induction or electric models, making them ideal for kitchens with a lot of activity. They can be cheaper to run than electric hobs if they utilize electricity generated by renewable energy sources.
There are gas hobs that are freestanding or built-in models. If you are planning to renovate your kitchen, the freestanding models are more suitable because you can move them easily. However, they're difficult to install and might require hacking into your finished carpentry, which isn't ideal for all homes.
They have a flat and smooth surface, making them easier to clean. They usually have sleek, stainless steel trims, which can be incorporated into many kitchen designs. Some even feature touch-sensitive controls, as well as an energy boost feature that lets you increase the intensity of a specific burner by as much as 50%, so you can bring a pan of water to the boiling point in a matter of minutes.
Certain gas hobs come with an automatic safety system that stops the flow of gas when the flame ceases to burn and you're not at risk of creating a fire by accident. They can also be cheaper than electric hobs that operate, and provide precise temperature control for a variety of cooking techniques.
Gas hobs emit carbon dioxide when they burn. This could be a problem for environmentally conscious customers. Luckily, there are now models available that don't emit any CO2 at all while they're in use. These gas hobs with zero emissions or eco-friendly gas stoves', have all the features of a standard gas stove but emits no CO2.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a common choice in kitchens of any style. They have a variety of advantages over other kinds. Electric hobs heat up and cool off quicker than gas hobs. This means that less residual heat remains after the cookware is removed. They heat more evenly and are less likely to develop hot spots than certain gas models. Being electric, they also require less maintenance and are more affordable to operate than gas.
Typically found in modern kitchens ceramic or glass electric hobs have an elegant and fashionable appearance that's easy to clean and safe to touch. Their flat surface makes them a popular choice for parents who have children, as they're unlikely to be scratched or smashed by heavy pans. They're also relatively cheap to run and are easily repaired when damaged.
As opposed to traditional plate hobs which make use of coils to generate heat which is then transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs employ an induction system to directly heat the pan. This means they can heat up and cool down faster, and are able to be used with any kind of cookware. These are often more expensive than electric stoves, however, they will save money in the long term due to their efficiency.
Despite their simplicity in design, it's crucial to maintain your ceramic or glass hob to avoid any issues. Cleaning the cooktop using non-abrasive cleaning products is recommended, as well as looking for and replacing any heating controls that are defective and cleaning out the burner caps or grates regularly. Keep an eye out for gas smells, since they could be a sign of an issue with gas lines or gas leaks. If you suspect this, it's advisable to speak with a professional gas engineer to seek assistance. To avoid damage that could be serious make sure that the burner is shut off and cooled prior to cleaning. This will also help prevent accidental spills and fires!
Hobs with induction
A modern alternative to traditional electric and gas hobs, induction cookers make use of magnetic fields to heat the pan itself rather than the cooktop itself. This allows them to heat up much more quickly than other types of hobs, and they can reduce energy consumption in the long run. They are also safer to use because the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch, and most have safety features like automatic shut-offs to prevent accidents.
The majority of induction hobs have an aluminum or glass top and are powered by an alternating current which creates the 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 the bridging zone, which can connect two zones to accommodate 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. They are also believed to be more secure since the cooktop's surface remains 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 which can become extremely hot and pose a burn risk.
Most induction hobs have different control types. The most basic one is a simple touch bar/power bar at the top of the hob. Others come with a fully-functional display that shows all the options available, and allows you to easily adjust the power levels as well as set timers. The more advanced models of induction hobs include numerous small copper coils that are tightly grouped together beneath the cooktop, and the magnet beneath each one will be able to detect the moment you place your pan. It then activates the coil to fit the pan's size and shape.
All of our ovens and stoves are available as freestanding models or neatly integrated with your kitchen appliances for a seamless and sleek look. Our full range includes everything from slick black and stainless-steel finishes to on-trend ceramic and copper. Explore our other kitchen appliances, including dishwashers refrigerator freezers, and washing machines to make your kitchen run smoothly.