A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Hobs and ovens give a sleek, modern feel to any kitchen and can be easily integrated into kitchen worktops and units. Explore our complete range of ovens and hobs today.
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 warm up and cool down.
Hobs in various types
Every home should have an
oven uk, kitchen hob cooker, or stovetop (the latter is a complete cooking appliance in which you can bake and roast food). It is used for a variety of cooking techniques, which is why it's essential to select the ideal hob for your needs. There's a type of hob for everyone, whether you're a pro chef who is a perfectionist or a busy home cook seeking speed.
Electric ceramic and induction hobs have a flat, frameless design that adds to the sleek appearance of any kitchen. They are equipped with four or five cooking zones each controlled independently by an individual dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring and 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 are more expensive than gas hobs, and they may take longer to heat up and cool down.
Gas hobs provide instant heat and permit precise control, which makes them popular with chefs. They're also safe and come with built-in flame fail safety systems that shut off gas flow if there's a leak. However, they're less efficient than electric or induction hobs and are harder to clean because of the pan supports and burners.
Plate hobs are the classic form of the hob that has been in use for a long time. They feature a flat surface with electric or gas rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They're affordable, but not the
best ovens and hobs choice for cast iron cookware and do not distribute heat evenly across the entire surface.
Induction hobs make use of an electromagnetic field to directly heat your pan instead of heating the hob surface like traditional hobs. They are safer, as there is no open flame. They're also easy to clean. They're also more expensive than gas or electric hobs and can take longer to warm up and cool down.
Gas hobs
Gas hobs are a popular choice for home cooks because of their quick heating capabilities as well as their ease of control. You will typically find models with between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner designed for stir-fry cooking. Some have a visible flame indicator that tells you whether the hob is turned on or off.
They cook food faster than electric or induction models, making them ideal for busy kitchens. They are cheaper to run than electric hobs, if you make use of renewable energy sources.
You can pick between built-in or freestanding gas hobs. The latter are the
best hob uk choice when you're planning to redesign your kitchen since they are easy to move later. They can be difficult to put in and could require you to cut into your finished carpentry. This isn't the best choice for every home.
Freestanding models have a flat, smooth surface that makes them easier to clean than other types of hobs. They often feature sleek, stainless steel trims, which can blend in with many kitchen designs. Some models even feature touch-sensitive controls, as well as the power boost feature allows you to boost the intensity of a specific burner by up to 50%, so you can bring a pan of water to the boiling point in a matter of minutes.
Some gas hobs have an automatic safety feature that shuts off the gas supply once the flame goes out. This means you don't need to worry about accidentally igniting the fire. They are also less expensive than electric hobs that operate, and also provide precise temperature control for different cooking methods.
It's worth mentioning that gas hobs produce carbon dioxide as they burn, which could be a problem for people who are concerned about the environment. There are, however, models that don't release any CO2 while they're in use. They are referred to as "zero emission gas hobs' or eco-friendly gas hobs they have all the features that are typical of a traditional gas model but don't emit any CO2 whatsoever while operating.
Electric hobs
A popular option for kitchens of all types electric hobs provide a range of advantages over other kinds of cookers. Electric hobs are able to heat up and cool down quicker than gas hobs. This means that less heat is left after the cookware is removed. They also heat more consistently and are less susceptible to hot spots than gas models. Because they are electric, they require less maintenance and are much cheaper to operate than gas.
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 who have children, as they aren't likely to be smashed or scratched by heavy pans. They're also relatively cheap to run and can be 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 they can heat up and cool down much quicker, and can be used with any kind of cookware. These are often more expensive than electric plate stoves, but they will save you money over the long run due to their high efficiency.
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 making sure to replace any malfunctioning heating controls and cleaning out grates or burner caps regularly. Keep an eye out for gas odours as they could indicate an issue with gas lines or gas leaks. If you suspect this, it's advisable to contact a gas professional for assistance. To avoid damage that could be serious make sure that the hob is completely turned off and cooled down prior to cleaning. This will also prevent any accidental spills and fires!
Hobs with induction
Modern alternatives to traditional gas and electric hobs, induction cookers use an electric field to heat the pan rather than the cooktop itself. This allows them to heat much more quickly than other hobs and reduce energy consumption in the long run. They are also a lot safer to use because the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch, and many have safety features, such as an automatic shut off to prevent accidents.
Induction hobs are usually glass or ceramic with an alternating current that creates magnetic fields to heat. An induction-compatible pan must be flat on the bottom and a steel or iron core. The magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed in the cooking zone. Most hobs feature an 'bridging zone' that can connect two zones to allow for larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency and many people report dips in their energy costs after switching to one. They are also considered to be safer since the cooktop's surface stays cool to the surface, reducing the chance of burns. Additionally, it only heats the pan and its contents. This makes them safer for children than gas or electric hobs which can get very hot.
Most induction cooktops come with a variety of control types. The most basic is a simple touch bar/power bar at the top of the hob. Others have an entire display that shows all options and allows you to easily adjust the power levels as well as set timers. Hobs that are induction equipped with more advanced technology come with numerous small copper coils that are that are tightly grouped together under the cooktop. The magnet underneath each coil detects the moment that the pan is positioned. It then activates the required coil to fit the pan's size and shape.
All of our
hobs and ovens are available as freestanding models or are seamlessly integrated into kitchen's units and worktops for a an elegant, seamless look. Our entire range of products ranges from slick black and stainless-steel finishes to on-trend ceramic and copper. Make sure to take a look at our other appliances, too including refrigerator freezers and washing machines to get your kitchen running just as it should.