A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Ovens and hobs add modern, sleek style to any kitchen, and can be seamlessly integrated into kitchen worktops and units. Explore our complete range of ovens and hobs today.
Electric hobs heat up using different 'cooking rings' that can range from four to six different power levels. They can take a while to warm up and cool down.
Types of hobs
Every home is incomplete without an oven, kitchen hob cooker, or stovetop (the latter is a complete cooking appliance that can roast and bake food). It is used to cook a variety of techniques, which is why it's important to choose the right hob for you. There is a hob for everyone, whether you're a pro chef who likes precision or a busy home cook looking for speed.
Electric ceramic and induction stoves are flat and frameless which adds to the sleek appearance of any kitchen. Each of the five or four zones can be controlled with a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring while sauteing the sausages on another. This is ideal for busy families. They also heat up quickly and have an even surface that makes them easy to clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs and could take longer to heat up and cool down.
Gas hobs are popular among chefs due to their instant heat, and allow precise control. They're also safe with built-in flame failure safety systems that cut off the gas supply if there's a leak. They may be less efficient than electric or induction hobs, and they are more difficult to clean due to the pan supports and stove burners.
Plate hobs have been in use since decades. They have a flat top that is fitted with gas or electric rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They're economical, but not ideal for cast iron cookware and do not distribute heat evenly across the entire surface.
Induction hobs utilize an electromagnetic field to directly heat your pan - instead of heating the hob surface as traditional hobs do. They are safer, as there is no open flame. They're also simple to clean. They're also more expensive than gas or electric hobs, and take longer to heat up and cool down.
Gas hobs
Gas hobs are a popular choice for home cooks because of their quick heating capabilities and easy control. You can find models with between two and six burners. Some models include a wok-burner to cook stir-fry. Some have a visible flame indicator that shows you whether the oven is on or off.
They heat food faster than induction models or electric models, which makes them perfect for kitchens with a lot of activity. They are less expensive to run than electric hobs if they use electricity generated by renewable energy sources.
You can choose between freestanding or built-in gas hobs. The former are the better choice for those who are planning to renovate your kitchen as they can be moved easily later. They can be difficult to put in and might require you to cut into the finished carpentry. This isn't a good choice for every home.
They have a flat and smooth surface, making them easier to clean. They typically have elegant, stainless steel trims, that can blend in with many kitchen designs. Some models even come with touch-sensitive controls as well as a power boost function that lets you increase the intensity of a particular burner by as much as 50%, meaning you can bring a pan of water to the boiling point in a matter of minutes.
Certain gas hobs come with an automatic flame failure safety system that shuts off the supply of gas once the flame goes out to ensure that you aren't at risk of burning yourself in the process. They are also less expensive than some electric hobs to operate, and offer precise temperature control for various cooking techniques.
Gas hobs release carbon dioxide when they burn. This could be a problem for environmentally conscious customers. There are, however, models that don't produce any CO2 while they're being used. These are known as 'zero emission gas https://broch-wilkins.technetbloggers.de/15-trends-that-are-coming-up-about-hob-uk ' or eco-friendly gas hobs they're still equipped with the standard features of a traditional gas model but don't emit any CO2 at all while in operation.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a common choice in kitchens of any style. They have a variety of advantages over other kinds. Electric hobs heat up and cool off faster than gas hobs. This means that less residual heat remains after the cookware is removed. They also cook more consistently and are less susceptible to hot spots than gas models. Being electric, they also require less maintenance and are cheaper to operate than gas.
Most commonly used in modern kitchens, ceramic or glass electric hobs offer a sleek and elegant appearance that's easy to clean and safe to contact. They're also a great choice for families with children because their flat surface is less likely to be damaged by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and are able to be repaired when damaged.
Ceramic hobs heat directly the pan, in contrast to traditional plate hobs, which use coils to heat the pan. They can heat and cool quicker and are suitable for any type of cookware. These are often more expensive than electric plate stoves however, they will save money in the long term due to their efficiency.
It is essential to maintain your ceramic or tempered glass cooktop regularly to avoid any issues. For instance cleaning the cooktop using an anti-abrasive cleaner is recommended as well as checking and replacing faulty heating controls and regularly clearing out burner caps and grates. Be on the lookout for gas odours as they could indicate an issue with gas lines or leaks. It is best to contact a professional gas technician for assistance if you suspect there is that there is a problem. Always make sure that the hob is cool completely prior to cleaning in order to avoid any serious damage. This will help avoid any accidental spills or fires!
Hobs with induction
Induction cookers are a modern alternative to traditional electric and gas hobs. They make use of an electric field instead of a cooktop to heat the pan. They heat up quicker than other stoves, and will reduce energy consumption over the course of. They are also safer to use as the cooktop surface remains cool to the touch and many have safety features like automatic shut-off to avoid accidents.
The majority of induction hobs have a glass or ceramic top and are powered by an alternating current that creates the magnetic field for heating. Induction-compatible pans must have flat bases and a steel core. The magnetic field is activated only when the pan is placed over the cooking zone. Most hobs have an 'bridging zone' that can join two zones together to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency. Many have reported a reduction in their overall energy bills when they switch to one. They are also thought to be safer as the cooktop surface stays cool to the edge, reducing the risk of burns, and it only heating the pan and its contents. This makes them more suitable for children than electric or gas hobs, which can become very hot and pose a burn danger.
Most induction hobs come with various control options that are the simplest being a simple touch mark/power bar that is placed on the surface of the hob, or an entirely functional TFT display that shows all options and lets you easily change power levels or set timers. Induction hobs with more advanced technology have many copper coils of varying sizes that are placed tightly together under the cooktop. The magnet beneath each coil is able to detect the time when the pan is positioned. The coil is activated when it is suitable for the pan's size and shape.
All of our ovens and hobs can be purchased as freestanding models or easily integrated into kitchen units to create sleek and seamless design. Our selection includes everything from sleek stainless steel and black finishes to on-trend ceramic and copper. Take a look at our other appliances like dishwashers, refrigerator freezers and washing machines that will make your kitchen work properly.