A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Stoves and ovens And hobs uk can be integrated neatly into your kitchen worktops or kitchen units to give it an elegant and contemporary look. Shop our full range of ovens and hobs now.
Electric hobs provide heat via different cooking rings that can have anywhere from four to six different power levels. They may take a few minutes to warm up and cool down.
Hobs in various types
The stove top, kitchen hob or range cooker (the latter being the complete cooking appliance that you roast and bake things in) is an essential part of every home. It is used for a variety cooking methods, so it is 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 who wants speed, there's a hob to meet your requirements.
Induction and electric ceramic stoves are completely flat and frameless which adds to the sleek look of any kitchen. Each of the five or four zones can be controlled using an individual dial. This gives you the option of boiling potatoes on one ring and sautéing sausages on a different ring - ideal for busy families. They also rapidly heat up and feature a an even surface that makes them easy to clean. They can be more costly than gas hobs and may take longer to heat and cool down.
Gas hobs are quick to heat and provide precise control, making them popular with chefs. They are also safe and come with built-in flame fail safety systems that cut off the gas supply in case there is an issue with the gas. They can be less efficient than induction or electrical hobs, and are more difficult to clean due the fact of the pan's support and stove burners.
Plate hobs are the classic type of hob and have been used for decades. They have a flat, smooth surface with electric or gas rings that get 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 spread heat across the entire surface.
Induction hobs use an electromagnetic field to directly heat your pan - rather than heating the hob 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 gas or electric hobs and may take longer to heat up and cool down.
Gas hobs
A gas stove is a popular option for home cooks due to its quick heating capabilities and simple control. There are models that have between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner designed for stir-fry cooking. Some hobs have a visual indicator that lets you know whether the burner is running or off.
They are faster to cook food than induction or electric models and are therefore ideal for busy kitchens. They can also be cheaper to run than electric hobs provided you get electricity from a supplier which generates renewable energy sources.
You can choose to buy freestanding gas hobs or built-in models. The latter are the best choice when you're planning to redesign your kitchen as they can be moved easily later. However, they can be difficult to install and may require hacking into your finished carpentry, which isn't ideal for all homes.
They have a flat and smooth surface, making them easy to clean. They typically have elegant, stainless steel trims that can blend in with many kitchen designs. Some even have touch-sensitive controls and an energy boost feature that allows you to increase the power of a particular 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 come with a safety system that automatically shuts off the gas supply once the flame goes out. This means that you don't have to worry about accidentally starting the fire. Gas hobs can be cheaper to run than some electric ones, and allow for precise temperature control.
It's worth mentioning that gas hobs produce carbon dioxide when they burn, which can be an issue for environmentally conscious consumers. There are models that emit no CO2 when they are in use. Known as 'zero emission gas hobs' or 'eco-friendly gas hobs', they're still equipped with the features that are typical of a traditional gas model but emit no CO2 at all while in operation.
Electric hobs
A favorite choice for kitchens of every style electric hobs have numerous advantages over other kinds of cookers. For starters, they tend to heat up and cool down faster than gas hobs, meaning less residual heat is left in the cookware when it is removed. They also heat more evenly and are less susceptible to hot spots than gas models. Because they are electric, they require less maintenance and are cheaper to operate than gas.
Ceramic or glass electric hobs are most commonly found in modern kitchens. They are sleek and stylish look that is easy to clean. They are also safe to touch. Their flat surface also makes them a preferred choice for those with children, as they're unlikely to be smashed or scratched by heavy pans. They are also relatively inexpensive to run and can easily be replaced when damaged.
Unlike traditional plate hobs, which make use of coils to generate heat which is then transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs use an induction system to directly heat the pan. They can heat and cool much faster and can be used for any cookware. These are often more expensive than electric stoves, however they can save you money in the long term due to their efficiency.
It is essential to maintain your ceramic or tempered glass stove regularly to avoid any problems. Cleaning the cooktop using non-abrasive cleaning products is recommended, as well as looking for and replacing any heating controls that are defective and clearing out grates and burner caps regularly. It's also important to keep an eye for any indications of gas odour, as it could indicate a problem with the gas lines or a gas leak. If you suspect this, it's best to seek out a professional in gas for assistance. To avoid any serious damage ensure that the stove is turned off and cooled down prior to cleaning. This will help avoid accidental fires or spills!
Induction hobs
Modern alternatives to traditional electric and gas hobs, induction cookers use a magnetic field to heat the pan rather than the cooktop. They heat up faster than other stoves, and can help you save energy over the course of time. They are also a lot safer to use as the cooktop's surface stays cool to the touch and most have safety features, such as an automatic shut-off to avoid accidents.
Most induction hobs feature a glass or ceramic top and are powered by an alternating current which creates the magnetic field that is used to heat. A pan that is compatible with induction must have a flat bottom and an iron or steel core, and the magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed in the cooking zone. The majority of hobs have a bridging zone that can connect two zones to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency, and a lot of people report dips in their coverall energy costs after switching to one. They are also considered to be more secure since the cooktop surface stays cool to the touch, reducing the risk of burns, and only heats the pan and its contents. This makes them more child-friendly than electric or gas hobs which can become extremely hot and create a burn hazard.
Most induction hobs come with various control options with the most basic being a simple touch mark/power bar that is placed on the surface of the hob, or a fully-functional TFT display that shows all options and lets you easily adjust the power levels, set timers and more. More advanced induction hobs have numerous small copper coils tightly grouped together beneath the cooktop, and the magnet underneath each one will be able to detect the pan you are placing it. It will activate the coil that is suitable for the pan's size and shape.
All of our ovens and hobs are available as freestanding models or seamlessly integrated into kitchen units and worktop for a sleek, seamless look. Our full range includes everything from slick black and stainless-steel finishes to on-trend copper and ceramic. Explore our other kitchen appliances, including dishwashers refrigerator freezers and washing machines to make your kitchen work properly.