A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Stoves and ovens can be integrated neatly into your kitchen worktops and kitchen units to give it a modern and sleek appearance. Shop our full range of ovens and hobs now.
Electric hobs heat up using various 'cooking ring' designs that have between four and six different power levels. They can take a while to warm up before cooling down.
Hobs in various types
The kitchen hob, stove top or range cooker (the latter being the complete cooking appliance you roast and bake things in) is an essential part of every home. It is used to prepare all manner of food items and, for this reason it is essential to select the best hob for your cooking style. No matter if you're a seasoned chef who values precision or a busy family cook looking for speed, there's a hob that will meet your needs.
Electric ceramic and induction hobs have a frameless, flat design that adds to the modern look of any kitchen. Each of the five or four zones can be controlled by a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring and sauteing the sausages on another. This is great for busy families. They also rapidly heat up and feature a a smooth surface that makes them easy to clean. They are more expensive than gas hobs, and they may take longer to heat and cool down.
Gas hobs provide instant heat and permit precise control, making them popular amongst chefs. Gas hobs are also secure since they come with safety mechanisms for flame failure that will shut off the gas supply in the event there is leaks. They are less efficient than electric or induction hobs, and are more difficult to clean due the fact of the pan's support and stove burners.
Plate hobs are the traditional design of the hob and have been used for decades. They have a flat top with electric or gas rings that are heated when you turn the dial. They are affordable, but not the best choice for cookware made of cast iron as they don't evenly distribute heat across the entire surface.
Induction hobs use an electromagnetic field to heat your pan instead of heating the surface like traditional hobs. They are safer since there's no open flame. They are also easy to clean. They're also more expensive than electric or gas hobs and can take longer to warm up and cool down.
Gas hobs
A gas hob is a common choice for home cooks because of its fast heating capability and easy control. You can usually find models that have between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner that is designed to cook stir-fries. Some have a visible flame indicator that indicates whether the hob is turned on or off.
They cook food faster than induction or electric models, and are therefore perfect for busy kitchens. They can be cheaper to run than electric hobs, if you use electricity generated by renewable energy sources.
There are freestanding gas hobs, or built-in models. If you plan to remodel your kitchen, freestanding models are the best choice since they can be moved easily. They can be difficult to put in and might require you to hack into the finished carpentry. This is not suitable for every home.
Freestanding models have a flat, smooth surface which makes them easier to clean than other types of hobs. The stainless steel trims are commonly used, which can be matched to many kitchen designs. Some feature touch-sensitive controls, as well as a power boost function that lets you increase the intensity of a specific burner by as much as 50%, meaning you can bring a pan of water to a boiling point in a matter of minutes.
Some gas hobs have a safety system that automatically shuts off gas supply once the flame has gone out. This way, you don't have to worry about accidentally starting the fire. Gas hobs are generally less expensive to run than electric hobs, and they allow for precise temperature control.
Gas hobs emit carbon dioxide when they burn. This could be an issue for eco-conscious consumers. There are models that hobs and ovens do not emit CO2 while in use. These are known as "zero emission gas hobs' or eco-friendly gas hobs they still have all the usual features of gas models, but emit no CO2 whatsoever while operating.
Electric hobs
A common choice for kitchens of all types electric hobs provide many advantages over other types of cooker. They are able to heat up and cool down faster than gas hobs, meaning less heat remains behind after the cookware is taken off. They also cook more consistently and are less susceptible to hot spots than some gas models. Electric models are also easier to maintain and cost less to run than gas models.
Most commonly found in modern kitchens ceramic or glass electric hobs offer an elegant and fashionable appearance that's both easy to clean and safe to touch. They're also a good choice for families with children because their flat surface is less likely to be damaged by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and can easily be repaired if damaged.
Ceramic hobs heat directly in the pan, unlike traditional plate hobs, which use coils to heat the pan. This means that they heat up and cool down faster, and can be used with any kind of cookware. They're typically more expensive than electric plate hobs, however they'll help you save money on energy costs over the long term because of their high efficiency and the way they convert nearly all of the electrical energy into usable heat.
Despite their simplicity in design, it's important to regularly maintain your ceramic or glass hob to avoid any issues. For instance cleaning the cooktop with a non-abrasive cleaner is recommended as well as checking and replacing damaged heating controls, as well as regularly cleaning out the grates and burner caps. Keep an eye out for gas odours because they could indicate an issue with gas lines or leaks. If you suspect this, it's advisable to seek out a professional in gas to seek assistance. Make sure that the stove has cooled completely prior to cleaning in order to avoid any serious damage. This will help prevent accidental fires or spills!
Hobs with induction
Induction cookers are an innovative alternative to gas and electric hobs. They use a magnetic field instead of the cooktop to heat the pan. This allows them to heat faster than other types of hobs and can help save energy in the long run. The cooktop surface is cool to the touch, and a lot of models come with safety features such as automatic shutoff to prevent accidents.
Induction hobs are usually ceramic or glass with an alternating current that creates magnetic fields to heat. An induction-compatible pan must be flat on the bottom and an iron or steel core. The magnetic field only gets activated when the pan is placed in the cooking zone. Most hobs feature a 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. They are also thought to be more secure since the cooktop surface stays cool to the surface, reducing the chance of burns, and only heating the pan and its contents. This makes them safer for children than electric or gas hobs, which can be extremely hot.
The majority of induction hobs come with different control types. The simplest is a simple touch bar/power bar at the top of the hob. Some have a fully-functional display that shows all the options, and lets you easily adjust the power levels as well as set timers. Induction hobs with more advanced technology have numerous small copper coils that are grouped tightly together beneath the cooktop. The magnet under each coil senses the time when the pan is placed. Then, it activates the appropriate coil to suit the pan size and shape.
All of our ovens and hobs are available as freestanding models or neatly integrated with your kitchen units for a seamless and sleek look. Our entire range of products ranges from slick black and stainless-steel finishes to on-trend ceramic and copper. Take a look at our other appliances like dishwashers, refrigerator freezers and washing machines to help your kitchen run smoothly.