A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Stoves and ovens can be seamlessly integrated into your kitchen worktops or kitchen units to give it a a sleek and modern feel. Shop our entire oven and hob range today.
Electric hobs heat up using different cooking rings, which can have anywhere from four to six power levels. They can take some time to warm up before cooling down.
Types of hobs
The stove top, kitchen hob or range cooker (the latter being the complete cooking appliance you roast and bake food in) is an essential component of every home. It is used to cook various meals, and as such, it's important that you select the best hob to suit your cooking style. There's a type of hob for everyone, no matter if you're a pro chef who is a perfectionist or a busy home cook seeking speed.
Induction and electric ceramic stoves are completely flat and frameless, adding to the sleek look of any kitchen. They have either five or four cooking zones each operated independently by a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring and sautéing the sausages on a different. This is great 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 could take longer to cool down and heat down.
Gas hobs offer instant heat and permit precise control, which makes them popular among chefs. Gas hobs are also secure since they come with safety mechanisms for flame failure, which stop the gas supply in case there is a leak. However, they can be less efficient than induction or electric hobs and are harder to clean because of the pan supports and burners.
Plate hobs have been in use for decades. They have a flat top that has gas or electric rings that heat when you turn the dial. They're economical, but not the best choice for cooking with cast iron because they do not distribute heat evenly across the entire surface.
Induction hobs are able to heat your pan directly, instead of heating up the surface of the hob like traditional hobs. They are safer since there's no open flame. They're also simple to clean. They are also more expensive and take longer to heat and cool than electric hobs or gas.
Gas hobs
Gas hobs are a preferred choice for home cooks because of their quick heating capabilities and ease of control. You can find models with between two and six burners. Some models include a wok-burner for stir-fry cooking. Some hobs have a visual indicator that lets you know whether the burner is running or off.
They cook food faster than induction or electric models and are therefore ideal for kitchens that are busy. They can also be cheaper to run than electric hobs assuming you use electricity from a provider that generates renewable energy sources.
You can choose between built-in or freestanding gas hobs. If you plan to remodel your kitchen, the freestanding models are better because they can be moved easily. They can be difficult to install and might require you to cut into the finished carpentry. This isn't a good choice for every home.
Freestanding models feature a smooth, flat surface that makes them easier to clean than other types of hobs. They typically have sleek, stainless steel trims, which can blend in with many kitchen designs. Some models have touch-sensitive controls and some have a the power boost feature, which increases the intensity of the burner by 50%.
Certain gas hobs are equipped with an automatic safety feature that stops gas supply when the flame goes out. This means that you don't have to worry about accidentally setting off the fire. Gas hobs can be cheaper to run than some electric ones, and they allow for precise temperature control.
Gas hobs emit carbon dioxide when they burn. This can be an issue for eco-conscious consumers. There are models that don't emit CO2 when they are in use. These 'zero-emission gas hobs or eco-friendly gas stoves', have all the features of a standard gas stove but emits zero CO2.
Electric hobs
A popular choice for kitchens of every style electric hobs provide many advantages over other kinds of cookers. First, they tend to heat up and cool down faster than gas hobs, meaning less heat remains in the cookware when it is taken off. They also cook more consistently and are less susceptible to hot spots than gas models. Electric models are also easier to maintain and cheaper to operate than gas models.
Most often used in modern kitchens, ceramic or glass electric hobs have a sleek and stylish appearance that's both easy to clean and safe to contact. Their flat surface also makes them a preferred choice for those with children, since they aren't likely to be smashed or scratched by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and are able to be repaired if damaged.
Unlike traditional plate hobs, which use coils to generate heat which is transferred to cookware, ceramic hobs use an induction system to heat directly the pan. This means that they heat up and cool down quicker, and can be used with any kind of cookware. These are often more expensive than electric plate stoves, however they can save you money in the long run due to their efficiency.
Despite their simple design, it's crucial to regularly maintain your ceramic or glass hob to avoid any problems. Cleaning the cooktop using non-abrasive cleaning products is recommended, as well as checking for and replacing any heating controls that are defective and cleaning out the burner caps or grates regularly. Be on the lookout for gas odours since they could be a sign of an issue with gas lines or gas leaks. It is recommended to contact a professional gas technician to help if you suspect a problem. To avoid any serious damage ensure that the hob is completely shut off and cool down prior to cleaning. This will help avoid any accidental spills or fires!
Induction hobs
Modern alternatives to traditional electric and gas hobs, induction cookers make use of a magnetic field to heat the pan rather than the cooktop itself. They heat up quicker than other stoves and can save you energy over time. The cooktop's surface is cool to the touch. Many models have safety features like automatic shutoff to prevent accidents.
Most induction hobs have a glass or ceramic top and are powered by an alternating current which creates the magnetic field that is used to heat. An induction-compatible pan must have a flat bottom as well as an iron or steel core, and the magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed in the cooking zone. Most hobs have a 'bridging zone' which can connect two zones to allow for larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency. Many have reported an improvement in their overall energy bills when they change to one. Induction hobs are also believed to be safer since the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch, and they reduce the chance of burns. They only heat the pan and its contents. This makes them safer for children than electric or gas hobs which can get extremely hot.
Most induction cooktops come with a variety of control types. The most basic is the simple power bar or touch bar that sits on top of the hob. Some have an all-inclusive display that displays all options and allows you to easily change power levels and set timers. Induction hobs with more advanced technology have many small copper coils placed tightly together beneath the cooktop. The magnet under each coil is able to detect the time when the pan is placed. It then activates the required coil to suit the pan size and shape.
All of our ovens and hobs are available as freestanding models or easily integrated into your kitchen units and worktop for a sleek, seamless look. Our selection includes everything from sleek ovensandhobs stainless steel and black finishes to on-trend ceramic and copper. Make sure to look over our other appliances as well, including dishwashers, fridge freezers and washing machines to get your kitchen running exactly as it should.