The People Closest To Hobs Have Big Secrets To Share
A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Ovens and stoves can be integrated neatly into your kitchen worktops or kitchen units to give it modern and sleek appearance. Shop our complete range of ovens and hobs today.
Electric hobs provide heat via various cooking rings, which can have anywhere from four to six different power levels. It can take some time to get them heated up and cool down.
Hobs in various types
Every home should have a kitchen hob, range cooker, or stovetop (the latter being a complete cooking appliance that can bake and roast food items). It is used to prepare all manner of meals and for this reason, it's important that you select the best hob to suit your cooking style. No matter if you're a seasoned chef who is a fan of precision or a busy family cook who wants speed, there's a kitchen appliance to meet your needs.
Electric ceramic and induction stoves are completely flat and frameless which adds to the sleek look of any kitchen. Each of the four or five zones can be controlled 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 also rapidly heat up and feature a smooth surfaces that make them easy to wipe clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs, and they may take longer to cool down and heat down.
Gas hobs are popular among chefs due to their quick heat, and allow precise control. They're also secure, with built-in flame failure safety systems that shut off the gas supply if there is an issue with the gas. They are less efficient than induction or electrical hobs. They are also more difficult to clean due to the pan supports and stove burners.
Plate hobs are the traditional design of the hob that has been in use for a long time. They feature a flat top that has gas or electric rings that heat when you turn the dial. They are cost-effective, but they are not ideal for cooking with cast-iron, and they don't evenly distribute heat over the entire surface.
Induction hobs heat your pan directly, rather than heating up the surface of the traditional hobs. They're safer than gas and have no open flame and they're easy to wipe clean. They're also more expensive and take longer to cool and heat than electric or gas hobs.
Gas hobs
Gas hobs are a preferred choice for home cooks because of their speedy heating capabilities and easy control. You can find models with between two and six burners. Some models have a wok-burner specifically designed for stir-frying cooking. Some hobs come with a visual indicator that lets you know whether the burner is running or off.
They cook food faster than induction or electric models, which makes them perfect for kitchens with a lot of activity. They can be cheaper to operate than electric hobs, if you make use of 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 because you can easily relocate them later. However, they are difficult to install and may require hacking into your completed carpentry, which isn't ideal for all homes.
Freestanding models have a flat, smooth surface that makes them easier to clean than other types of hobs. They often feature sleek, stainless steel trims, which can be incorporated into many kitchen designs. Some come with touch-sensitive controls as well as a power boost function that lets you boost the intensity of a particular burner by up to 50%, meaning you can bring a pan of water to a boiling point in a matter of minutes.
Some gas hobs feature an automatic flame failure safety system that shuts off the supply of gas once the flame goes out, so you don't risk burning yourself in the process. Gas hobs are generally less expensive to run than some electric ones, and permit precise temperature control.
It's important to mention that gas hobs emit carbon dioxide as they burn, which could be an issue for environmentally conscious consumers. Luckily, there are now models available that don't emit any CO2 while they're being used. These are known as "zero emission gas hobs" or eco-friendly gas hobs they're still equipped with the features that are typical of traditional gas models but don't emit any CO2 at all while operating.
Electric hobs
A popular option for kitchens of all types electric hobs have many advantages over other kinds of cooker. Electric hobs can heat up and cool off faster than gas hobs. This means that less residual heat remains after the cookware is removed. They also heat more evenly and are less prone to hot spots than some gas models. Being electric, they also require less maintenance and are much cheaper to operate than gas.
Most often found in modern kitchens ceramic or glass electric hobs offer a sleek and stylish appearance that's both easy to clean and safe to touch. Their flat surface makes them a favorite option for families who have children, as they aren't likely to be scratched or smashed by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and can be repaired when damaged.
Ceramic hobs are able to heat directly the pan, unlike traditional plate hobs that rely on coils to heat the pan. They can heat and cool faster and can be used for any cookware. They can be more expensive than electric stoves, however, they will save money in the long run due to their efficiency.
Despite their simplicity in design, it's important to maintain your ceramic or glass hob to prevent any problems. For instance, cleaning the cooktop with an anti-abrasive cleaner is recommended as well as replacing or checking the heating controls, as well as regularly clearing out the grates and burner caps. Keep an eye out for gas odours, because they could indicate an issue with gas lines or gas leaks. If you suspect this, it's recommended to contact a gas professional to seek assistance. To avoid serious damage make sure that the burner is shut off and cool down prior to cleaning. This will also stop any accidental fires or spills!
Hobs with induction
Induction cookers are a modern alternative to gas and electric hobs. They utilize magnets instead of a cooktop to heat the pan. This lets them heat up much more quickly than other types of hobs and can save energy in the long run. The cooktop's surface is cool to the touch and many models come with safety features such as automatic shutoff to avoid accidents.
Induction hobs are usually ceramic or glass that have an alternating current that creates an electric field that heats. A pan that is induction-compatible must be flat on the bottom and a steel or iron core, and the magnetic field only gets activated when the pan is placed in the cooking zone. Most hobs feature a 'bridging zone' which allows two zones to be joined to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency. Many people report an improvement in their overall energy bills when they switch to one. Induction hobs are also considered to be safer, as the surface of the cooktop 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 electric or gas hobs, which can be very hot.
Most induction cooktops come with different control types, 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 change power levels or set timers. Modern induction hobs feature numerous small copper coils that are tightly connected beneath the cooktop, and the magnet under each one will be able to detect the moment you place your pan. Then, it activates the appropriate coil to match the pan's shape and size.
All of our ovens and stoves are available as freestanding models or easily integrated into kitchen units to create a seamless and sleek look. Our range includes everything from sleek 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.