A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Ovens and hobs add a sleek, modern feel to any kitchen and can be easily integrated into kitchen worktops and units. Shop our complete range of ovens and hobs now.
Electric hobs heat up using various 'cooking rings' that can range from four to six power levels. They may take a few minutes to warm up and cool down.
Types of hobs
Every home is incomplete without an
oven uk, kitchen hob cooker, or stovetop (the latter being a whole kitchen appliance where you can roast and bake food items). It is used to cook a variety of methods, and it's important to choose the right
hob for you. If you're a master chef who is a fan of precision or a busy family cook seeking speed, there's a cooker to meet your needs.
Electric ceramic and induction stoves are flat and frameless and add to the sleek look of any kitchen. Each of the five or four zones can be controlled using a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring while sautéing the sausages on a different. This is ideal for busy families. They heat up quickly, and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. They are more expensive than gas hobs and may take longer to heat up and cool down.
Gas hobs are a favorite among chefs because they provide instant heating and precise control. They're also secure, with built-in flame failure safety systems that shut off the gas supply in case there's an issue with the gas. However, they are less energy-efficient than electric or induction hobs and are more difficult to clean due to the burners and pan supports.
Plate hobs have been in use for a long time. They have a flat, smooth surface with electric or gas rings that are heated when you turn the dial. They're inexpensive, but they're not ideal for cast iron cookware and don't distribute heat evenly across the entire surface.
Induction
hobs uk heat your pan directly, rather than heating up the surface of the hob like traditional hobs. They're safer than gas and have no open flames and are easy to wipe clean. They are also more expensive and take longer to heat and cool than gas or electricity hobs.
Gas hobs
Gas hobs are a popular choice among home cooks because of their speedy heating capabilities as well as their ease of control. There are usually models with between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner specifically designed for stir-frying cooking. Some have a visible flame indicator that shows you whether the
oven uk is on or off.
They heat food quicker than induction or electric models, and are therefore perfect for busy kitchens. They are also cheaper to operate than electric hobs, assuming you use electricity from a supplier that produces renewable energy sources.
You can choose between freestanding or built-in gas hobs. The latter are a better option for those who are planning to renovate your kitchen as they are easy to move later. They aren't easy to install and might require you to cut into your carpentry work. This is not suitable for every home.
Freestanding models have a flat, smooth surface that makes them easier to clean than other types of hobs. The stainless steel trims are commonly employed, and can be matched to many kitchen designs. Some feature touch-sensitive controls, as well as an energy boost feature that allows you to boost the intensity of a particular burner by up to 50%, so you can bring a pot of water to a boiling point in no time.
Certain gas hobs are equipped with an automatic safety feature that shuts off gas supply once the flame is out. This means that you don't have to worry about accidentally starting an fire. They can also be cheaper than some electric hobs to operate, and offer precise temperature control for different cooking methods.
It's worth mentioning that gas hobs emit carbon dioxide as they burn, which may be an issue for people who are concerned about the environment. There are models that don't emit CO2 when in use. Known as 'zero emission gas hobs' or eco-friendly gas hobs they're still equipped with the standard features of traditional gas models but emit no CO2 whatsoever while in operation.
Electric hobs
A common option for kitchens of all types electric hobs have a range of advantages over other kinds of cooker. They are able to heat up and cool down quicker than gas hobs, which means less residual heat is left in the cookware when it is taken off. They also cook more consistently and are less susceptible to hot spots than gas models. Since they are electric, they require less maintenance and are much cheaper to operate than gas.
Most commonly used in modern kitchens, ceramic or glass electric hobs have a sleek and elegant appearance that is both easy to clean and safe to contact. Their flat surface also makes them a popular option for families with children, since they're unlikely to be scratched or smashed by heavy pans. They're also relatively cheap to run and are easily replaced in the event of damage.
Unlike traditional plate hobs, which make use of coils to generate heat which is transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs employ an induction system that heats directly the pan. This means that they heat up and cool down faster, and can be used with any type of cookware. They're typically more expensive than electric plate hobs, but they'll reduce your energy costs over the long term due to their efficiency and the way they convert almost all the electrical energy into usable heat.
It's important that you maintain your ceramic or tempered glass hob regularly to avoid any issues. For instance cleaning the cooktop using a non-abrasive cleaner is recommended, as well as replacing or checking the heating controls, and regularly cleaning out the grates and burner caps. It's also important to watch out for any signs of gas odour, as it could indicate a problem with the gas lines or a gas leak. It's
Best place to buy oven and hob to call an experienced gas technician for help if you suspect an issue. Always ensure that the hob has cooled completely prior to cleaning in order to prevent any serious damage. This will help avoid any accidental spills or fires!
Induction hobs
Induction cookers are an innovative alternative to traditional electric and gas hobs. They use an electric field instead of a cooktop to heat the pan. They heat up faster than other stoves, and can save you energy over time. The cooktop's surface is cool to the touch, and a lot of models come with safety features such as automatic shutoff to prevent accidents.
Most 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 an even base and a steel core. The magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed over the cooking zone. Most hobs have a "bridging zone" that can join two zones together to allow for larger pans.
Induction hobs are known for their efficiency, and a lot of users report a dip in their overall energy bills 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 risk for burns. They only heat the pan and the contents. This makes them safer for children than electric or gas stoves which can become extremely hot and pose a burn hazard.
The majority of induction hobs come with different control types. The most basic is an easy touch bar/power bar on top of the hob. Some have a fully-functional display that shows all the options, and allows you to easily change power levels and set timers. Induction hobs that are more sophisticated feature many small copper coils that are tightly grouped together beneath the cooktop. The magnet beneath each coil is able to detect the time when the pan is positioned. It then activates the required coil to suit the pan size and shape.
All of our ovens and hobs can be purchased as stand-alone models or neatly integrated with your kitchen units for an elegant and seamless look. Our entire range of products ranges from slick black and stainless steel finishes to on-trend ceramic and copper. Be sure to check out our other appliances, too such as dishwashers, fridge freezers and washing machines, to make sure that your kitchen running just as it should.