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. Explore our complete range of ovens (Keep Reading) and hobs now.

Electric hobs heat up using a variety of 'cooking ring' designs that have between four and six power levels. They can take a while to warm up and cool down.

Hobs in various types

The kitchen hob, stove top or range cooker (the latter being the complete cooking appliance that you roast and bake food in) is a crucial part of every home. It is used to cook all manner of food items and, for this reason, it's important that you select the appropriate hob and oven to suit your cooking style. Whether you are a master chef who values precision or a busy family cook looking for speed, there's a kitchen appliance that will meet your needs.

Induction and electric stoves are frameless and flat and add to the sleek design of any kitchen. Each of the five or four zones can be controlled with an individual dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring and sauteing sausages on another. This is perfect for busy families. They are quick to heat up and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. However, they can be more expensive than gas hobs, and they may take longer to cool down.

Gas hobs provide instant heat and provide precise control, which makes them popular among chefs. Gas hobs are also safe because they are equipped with safety systems for flame failure, which stop the gas supply in case of leaks. However, they're less efficient than induction or electric hobs and are more difficult to clean due to the pan supports and burners.

Plate hobs are the traditional type of hob and have been used for many years. They have a flat-topped top that has gas or electric rings that are heated when you turn the dial. They're inexpensive, but they're not the best oven uk choice for cast iron cookware and do not evenly distribute heat across the entire surface.

Induction hobs heat your pan directly, instead of heating the surface of the traditional hobs. They are safer than gas, as they don't have an open flame and they're easy to clean. They're also more expensive than electric or gas hobs, and take longer to warm up and cool down.

Gas hobs

A gas hob is a popular choice for cooks at home due to its speedy heating capabilities and simple control. You will typically find models that offer between two and six burners. Some models include a wok-burner for stir-fry cooking. Some also have a visual flame indicator that indicates whether the oven with hob is on or off.

They cook food faster than induction or electric models, which makes them perfect for kitchens that are busy. They can be cheaper to run than electric hobs if you make use of renewable energy sources.

You can choose to buy gas hobs that are freestanding or built-in models. The former are the best choice for those who are planning to renovate your kitchen as you can easily relocate them later. They aren't easy to install and might require you to cut into your carpentry work. This isn't a good choice for every home.

They have a smooth and flat surface, which makes them easier to clean. The stainless steel trims are commonly used, which can be fitted to a variety of kitchen designs. Certain models come with touch-sensitive controls, and some even feature a power boost feature that increases the intensity of the burner by 50%.

Some gas hobs feature an automatic flame failure safety system that stops the flow of gas once the flame goes out and you're not at risk of creating a fire by accident. Gas hobs are generally less expensive to run than electric hobs, and they permit precise temperature control.

It's important to note that gas hobs emit carbon dioxide as they burn, which can be an issue for environmentally conscious consumers. Luckily, there are now models that don't produce any CO2 whatsoever when they're in use. These gas hobs that are zero-emission,' or eco-friendly gas stoves' have all the features of a traditional gas stove but emits no CO2.