A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Ovens and hobs add a sleek, modern feel to any kitchen, and can be seamlessly integrated into your worktops and kitchen units. Shop our complete range of ovens and hobs now.
Electric hobs heat up with the various 'cooking rings' designs that have between four and 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 things in) is a crucial part of every home. It is used to prepare all manner of meals, and as such it is essential to choose the right type of hob for your cooking style. Whether you are a master chef who is a fan of precision or a busy family cook who wants speed, there's a hob to suit your needs.
Induction and electric ceramic stoves are completely flat and frameless and add to the sleek design of any kitchen. Each of the four or five zones can be controlled by the use of a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring while sautéing the sausages on a different. This is ideal for busy families. They also heat up quickly and have a smooth surface that makes them easy to clean. They can be more expensive than gas hobs and might take longer to heat and cool down.
Gas hobs provide instant heat and provide precise control, making them popular among chefs. Gas hobs are also secure since they come with safety mechanisms for flame failure, which shut off the gas supply in the event there is a leak. They can be less efficient than induction or electrical hobs, and are more difficult to clean due the fact of the pan's supports and stove burners.
Plate hobs have been around since decades. They have a flat top with electric or gas rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They are cost-effective, but they are not ideal for cast-iron cookware, and they don't evenly distribute heat over the entire surface.
Induction hobs heat your pan directly, instead of heating the surface of the traditional hobs. They are safer as there is no open flame. They're also easy to 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 for 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 include a wok-burner to cook stir-fry. Some hobs have a visual indicator that lets you know whether the burner is running or not.
They are faster to cook food than electric or induction models, making them ideal for busy kitchens. They are also cheaper to operate than electric hobs, assuming you use electricity from a provider that generates renewable energy sources.
You can choose to buy freestanding gas hobs or built-in models. The former are the better choice when you're planning to redesign your kitchen since they can be moved easily later. They can be difficult to install, and may require you to hack into your finished carpentry. This isn't a good choice for every home.
They have a smooth and flat surface, making them easy to clean. Trims made of stainless steel are frequently employed, and can be fitted to a variety of kitchen designs. Some models have touch-sensitive controls, and some even feature a power boost feature that increases the intensity of the burner by 50%.
Certain gas hobs come with an automatic safety system that will shut off the supply of gas when the flame is gone and you're not at risk of burning yourself in the process. Gas hobs are less expensive to run than some electric hobs, and they allow for precise temperature control.
Gas hobs emit carbon dioxide when they burn. This can be a problem for environmentally conscious customers. There are models that do not emit CO2 when they are in use. Known as "zero emission gas hobs" or 'eco-friendly gas hobs', they still have all the features that are typical of a traditional gas model but emit no CO2 at all while in operation.
Electric hobs
A popular choice for kitchens of all styles electric hobs have numerous advantages over other kinds of cookers. For starters, they tend to heat up and cool down faster than gas hobs. This means 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. Being electric, they also require less maintenance and are cheaper to operate than gas.
Typically used in modern kitchens, ceramic or glass electric hobs provide a sleek and elegant appearance that's easy to clean and safe to touch. They're also a good option for families with children as their flat surface is less likely to be damaged by heavy pans. They're also reasonably priced to run and can be replaced if damaged.
Ceramic hobs heat directly the pan, in contrast to traditional plate hobs, which use coils to heat the pan. This means that they heat up and cool down faster, and are able to be used with any type of cookware. They're often pricier than electric plate hobs, but they'll save you money on energy costs over the long term due to their efficiency and the way they convert nearly all electrical energy into usable heat.
It's important that you maintain your ceramic or tempered glass cooktop regularly to avoid any problems. Cleaning the cooktop with non-abrasive cleaners is recommended, as is making sure to replace any heating controls that are defective and cleaning out burner caps or grates regularly. It's also important to watch for any indications of gas odour, as it could indicate a problem with the gas lines or a gas leak. It is best to contact a professional gas technician for assistance if you suspect there is an issue. To avoid damage that could be serious ensure that the burner is turned off and cooled down prior to cleaning. This will also help to stop accidental fires or spills!
Induction hobs
A modern alternative to traditional electric and gas hobs, induction cookers make use of magnetic fields to heat the pan itself rather than the cooktop itself. They heat up quicker than other types of stoves, and will save you energy over time. They are also safer to use because the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch, and they are equipped with safety features, such as an automatic shut off to prevent accidents.
Most induction hobs have an aluminum or glass top and are powered by an alternating current, which creates a magnetic field that is used to heat. An induction-compatible pan must have a flat bottom and a steel or iron core. The magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed on the cooking zone. Most hobs have a "bridging zone" that can connect two zones to allow for larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency. Many report a reduction in their overall energy costs when they switch to one. Induction hobs are also thought to be safer since the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch and decreases the risk for burns. They only heat the pan and the contents. This makes them safer for children than gas or electric hobs, which can be extremely hot.
The majority of induction hobs come with different control types. The simplest is an easy touch bar/power bar at the top of the hob. Others come with an all-inclusive display that displays all options and allows you to change power levels and set timers. More advanced induction hobs have lots of small copper coils tightly grouped together below the cooktop, and the magnet beneath each one will sense the pan you are placing it. It will activate the coil that is appropriate for the pan size and shape.
All of our ovens and hobs are available as stand-alone models or neatly integrated into your kitchen's units and worktops for a an elegant, seamless look. Our complete range includes everything from slick black and stainless steel finishes to fashionable copper and ceramic. Be sure to look over our other appliances as well such as dishwashers, refrigerator freezers, and washing machines, to get your whole kitchen working as it should.