The Hidden Secrets Of Hobs
A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Ovens and hobs add modern, sleek style to any kitchen and can be easily integrated into your worktops and kitchen units. Shop our complete range of ovens and hobs today.
Electric hobs provide heat via various cooking rings, which can range from four to six power levels. They can take some time to warm up before cooling down.
Hobs of different types
Each home is incomplete without a kitchen hob, range cooker, or stovetop (the latter being a complete kitchen appliance where you can roast and bake food items). It is used for a variety of cooking methods, so it is essential to select the ideal hob for your needs. If you're a master chef who values precision or a busy family cook who wants speed, there's a kitchen appliance to suit your requirements.
Induction and electric ceramic hobs are flat, frameless design that adds to the elegant appearance of any kitchen. They have either four or five cooking zones each operated independently by a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring and sauteing the 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 could take longer to cool down and heat down.
Gas hobs provide instant heat and allow for precise control, making them popular amongst chefs. They're also secure, with built-in flame failure safety systems that shut off the gas supply if there is leak. They can be less efficient than electric or induction hobs, and are more difficult to clean due to the pan supports and stove burners.
Plate hobs are the classic type of hob that has been in use for a long time. They have a flat, smooth surface with electric or gas rings that are heated when you turn the dial. They are affordable, but not ideal for cooking with cast-iron as they don't evenly distribute heat over the entire surface.
Induction hobs utilize an electromagnetic field to directly heat your pan instead of heating the surface as traditional hobs do. They are safer, as there's 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 common choice for home cooks because of their speedy heating capabilities and easy control. You can usually find models that offer between two and six burners. Some models come with a wok burner to cook stir-fry. Some have a visible flame indicator that tells you whether the best oven uk is on or off.
They cook food faster than induction models or electric models, which makes them perfect for kitchens that are busy. They can also be cheaper to run than electric hobs in the event that you are using electricity from a supplier which generates renewable energy sources.
You can choose to buy freestanding gas hobs, or built-in models. The former are the best hob uk choice when you're planning to redesign your kitchen since they can be moved easily later. However, they are difficult to install and may require hacking into your completed carpentry, which isn't suitable for all homes.
They have a flat and smooth surface, making them easy to clean. The stainless steel trims are commonly employed, and can be matched to many kitchen designs. Some have touch-sensitive controls and an energy boost feature that allows you to increase the power of a particular burner by up to 50%, so you can bring a pan of water to a boiling point in no time.
Certain gas hobs are equipped with an automatic safety feature that stops gas supply when the flame is out. This means that you don't have to worry about accidentally setting off a fire. Gas hobs can be cheaper to run than electric ones, and permit precise temperature control.
It's worth mentioning that gas hobs release carbon dioxide as they burn, which could be a problem for people who are concerned about the environment. Luckily, there are now models that don't release any CO2 while they're in use. They are referred to as 'zero emission gas hobs' or 'eco-friendly gas hobs', they have all the standard features of gas models, however they don't emit CO2 at all while in operation.
Electric hobs
A popular choice for kitchens of every style electric hobs provide numerous advantages over other kinds of cookers. Electric hobs can heat up and cool off faster than gas hobs. This means that less residual heat is left when the cookware is removed. They also cook more consistently and are less prone to hot spots than some gas models. Because they are electric, they require less maintenance and are cheaper to operate than gas.
Most often seen in modern kitchens, ceramic or glass electric hobs provide a sleek and elegant appearance that's easy to clean and safe to touch. Their flat surface also makes them a popular choice for those who have children, as they're less likely to be scratched or smashed by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and can be easily repaired if damaged.
As opposed to traditional plate hobs which use coils to generate heat that is then transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs use an induction system to directly heat the pan. This means that they heat up and cool down much faster, and are able to be used with any kind of cookware. These are often more expensive than electric plate stoves however, they will save money in the long term due to their efficiency.
Despite their simple design, it's crucial to regularly maintain your glass or ceramic hob to prevent any issues. Cleaning the cooktop using non-abrasive cleaners is highly recommended, as is checking for and replacing any heating controls that are defective and clearing out grates and burner caps regularly. Be on the lookout for gas odours, as they could indicate a problem in the gas lines or gas leaks. If you suspect this, it's advisable to contact a gas professional to seek assistance. To avoid damage that could be serious make sure that the hob is completely shut off and cool down prior to cleaning. This will also prevent any accidental fires or spills!
Hobs with induction
Induction cookers are an innovative alternative to traditional electric and gas hobs. They use an electric field instead of the cooktop to heat the pan. They are more efficient than other stoves, and can help you save energy over the course of time. They are also safer to use as the cooktop's surface stays cool to the touch and they are equipped with safety features like automatic shut-off to avoid accidents.
Most induction hobs feature a glass or ceramic top and are powered by an alternating current that creates a magnetic field to heat. A pan that is induction-compatible must be flat on the bottom and a steel or iron core, and the magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed in the cooking zone. Most hobs feature a "bridging zone" that allows two zones to be joined to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are known for efficiency. Many have reported an improvement in their energy usage 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 reduces the risk for burns. They only heat the pan and its contents. This makes them safer for children than electric or gas hobs which can get very hot.
Most induction hobs uk come with different control types with the most basic being a simple touch mark/power bar on the top of the hob, or a fully functional TFT display which displays all the options and allows you to adjust the power levels or hobs and Ovens set timers. Hobs that are induction equipped that are more sophisticated feature many copper coils of varying sizes that are grouped tightly together beneath the cooktop. The magnet beneath each coil detects the time when the pan is placed. It then activates the coil to fit the pan's shape and size.
All of our hobs and ovens are available as stand-alone models or neatly integrated into your kitchen units and worktop for an elegant, seamless appearance. Our complete range includes everything from slick black and stainless-steel finishes to trendy ceramic and copper. Make sure you take a look at our other appliances too such as dishwashers, fridge freezers and washing machines to get your kitchen functioning as it should.