A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Hobs and ovens give modern, sleek style to any kitchen and can be easily integrated into your worktops and kitchen units. Shop our entire range of ovens and hobs today.
Electric hobs heat up using different cooking rings, which can range between four and six power levels. It can take some time to heat up and cool down.
Types of hobs
Every home should have the kitchen hob, range cooker, or stovetop (the latter being a complete kitchen appliance where you can bake and roast food). It is used to cook a variety of methods, and it's important to choose the right hob for you. There's a hob that's suitable for everyone, no matter if you're a professional chef who is a perfectionist or a busy home cook seeking speed.
Electric ceramic and induction stoves are frameless and flat, adding to the sleek design of any kitchen. They have either five or four cooking zones each independent of each other by a dial. This allows you the choice of boiling potatoes on one ring and sautéing sausages on a different ring which is ideal 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 are quick to heat and allow for precise control, which makes them popular among chefs. Gas hobs are also safe because they are equipped with safety systems for flame failure that shut off the gas supply in the event there is a leak. However, they are less efficient in energy than electric or induction hobs, and are more difficult to clean because of the pan supports and burners.
Plate hobs are the most popular type of hob that has been in use for decades. They have a flat surface with gas or electric rings that get heated when you turn the dial. They are economical but not ideal for cast-iron cookware as they don't evenly distribute heat over the entire surface.
Induction hobs heat your pan directly, rather than heating up the surface of the traditional hobs. They're safer than gas, as they don't have an open flame and they're easy to clean. They're also more expensive and take longer to cool and heat than electric or gas hobs.
Gas hobs
A gas hob is a common choice for home cooks because of its fast heating capabilities and simple control. You can find models with between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner for stir-frying cooking. Some also have a visual flame indicator that indicates whether the hob is on or off.
They cook food faster than induction or electric models, so are ideal for busy kitchens. They are cheaper to operate than electric hobs, if you use electricity generated by renewable energy sources.
You can choose between built-in or freestanding gas hobs. If you're planning to redesign your kitchen, freestanding models are more suitable because they can be moved easily. However, they're difficult to install and may require hacking into your finished carpentry, which isn't ideal for all homes.
Freestanding models feature a smooth, flat surface that makes them easier to clean than other types of hobs. They often feature sleek, stainless steel trims, that can be integrated into a variety of kitchen designs. Some feature touch-sensitive controls, as well as the power boost feature allows you to increase the intensity of a particular burner by up to 50%, meaning you can bring a pot of water to a boil in no time.
Certain gas hobs come with an automatic safety system that stops the flow of gas once the flame ceases to burn to ensure that you aren't at risk of creating a fire by accident. Gas hobs are less expensive to run than electric ones, and allow for precise temperature control.
hyperlink to note that gas hobs emit carbon dioxide when they burn, which could be a problem for environmentally conscious consumers. There are models that emit no CO2 when they are in use. They are referred to as "zero emission gas hobs' or eco-friendly gas hobs they're still equipped with the usual features of traditional gas models but emit no CO2 operating.
Electric hobs
A favorite option for kitchens of every style, electric hobs offer many advantages over other kinds of cookers. They are able to heat up and cool down quicker than gas hobs. This means less residual heat is left in the cookware when it is removed. They heat more evenly and are less likely to be prone to hot spots than certain gas models. Electric models are also simpler to maintain and cost less to operate than gas models.
Most commonly used in modern kitchens, ceramic or glass electric hobs have a sleek and stylish appearance that's easy to clean and safe to touch. They're also a good choice 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 easily replaced when damaged.
Unlike traditional plate hobs, which use coils to generate heat which is then transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs use an induction system to heat directly the pan. This means they can heat up and cool down much faster, and are able to be used with any type of cookware. They can be more expensive than electric stoves, however they can save you money in the long term because of their efficiency.
Despite their simplistic design, it's crucial to regularly maintain your glass or ceramic hob to prevent any issues. For example, cleaning the cooktop with a non-abrasive cleaner is recommended as well as checking and replacing damaged heating controls, as well as regularly clearing out the grates and burner caps. Be on the lookout for gas odours, because they could indicate an issue with the gas lines or gas leaks. If you suspect this, it's best to seek out a professional in gas for assistance. Make sure that the hob is cool completely prior to cleaning it in order to avoid severe damage. This will also help avoid any accidental fires or spills!
Hobs with induction
Induction cookers are a contemporary alternative to traditional electric and gas hobs. They utilize an electric field instead of the cooktop in order to heat the pan. They heat up faster than other stoves, and can reduce energy consumption over the course of. The cooktop surface is cool to the touch, and a lot of models come with safety features such as automatic shutoff to prevent accidents.
The majority of induction hobs have a ceramic or glass top and are powered by an alternating current, which creates the magnetic field that is used to heat. Induction-compatible pans need to have a flat base and a steel core. The magnetic field is activated only when the pan is placed over the cooking area. The majority of hobs have an bridging zone that can connect two zones to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency and many users report a dip in their energy costs after switching to one. Induction hobs are also considered to be more secure, since the surface of the cooktop remains cool to the touch and reduces the chance of burning. They only heat the pan and its contents. This makes them more child-friendly than gas or electric hobs that can get very hot and can pose a fire hazard.
Most induction hobs have different control options. The most basic is an easy touch bar/power bar on 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. Hobs induction with more advanced technology come with many small copper coils placed tightly together beneath the cooktop. The magnet underneath each coil senses the moment that the pan is placed. It then activates the required coil to match the pan's size and shape.
All of our ovens and hobs are available as freestanding models, or they can be seamlessly integrated into your kitchen units for an elegant and seamless look. Our range includes everything from sleek black and stainless steel finishes to contemporary ceramic and copper. Be sure to look over our other appliances, too such as dishwashers, refrigerator freezers, and washing machines, to make sure that your kitchen functioning just as it should.