15 Things You've Never Known About Hobs

A Guide to Ovens and Hobs Ovens and hobs add a sleek, modern feel to any kitchen and can be neatly integrated into your worktops and kitchen units. Shop our full oven and hob collection today. Electric hobs provide heat via different looking cooking rings that can range from four to six different power levels. They can take a while to warm up before cooling down. Hobs of different types Every home is incomplete without the kitchen hob, range cooker, or stovetop (the latter being a complete kitchen appliance where you can roast and bake food). It is used to cook many different meals, and as such, it's important that you select the appropriate hob for your cooking style. Whether you are a master chef who values precision or a busy family cook seeking speed, there's a hob that will meet your requirements. Electric ceramic and induction stoves are frameless and flat and add to the sleek look of any kitchen. They are equipped with four or five cooking zones, each of which is operated independently by a separate dial. This gives you the option of boiling potatoes on one ring while sautéing sausages in another perfect for busy families. They are quick to heat up and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs and may take longer to heat up and cool down. Gas hobs offer instant heat and provide precise control, making them popular among chefs. They are also safe with built-in flame failure safety systems that shut off gas flow if there's an issue with the gas. They are less efficient than electrical or induction hobs. They are also more difficult to clean due to the pan supports and stove burners. Plate hobs are the most popular design of the hob and have been around for many years. They have a flat surface with electric or gas rings that are heated when you turn the dial. They are economical but not ideal for cast-iron cookware as they don't evenly distribute heat across the entire surface. Induction hobs heat your pan directly, instead of heating the surface of the hob like traditional hobs. They are safer, as there's no open flame. They're also simple to clean. They're also more expensive than electric or gas hobs, and take longer to heat up and cool down. Gas hobs Gas hobs are a common choice for home cooks because of their fast heating capabilities as well as their ease of control. There are usually models with between two and six burners. Some models come with a wok burner for stir-fry cooking. Some also have a visual flame indicator that indicates whether the oven is on or off. They heat food faster than induction models or electric models, which makes them perfect for busy kitchens. They are less expensive to run than electric hobs if you utilize electricity generated by renewable energy sources. You can pick between freestanding or built-in gas hobs. The latter are the better choice if you're planning to remodel your kitchen as they can be moved easily later. However, Read Home can be difficult to install and might require hacking into your final carpentry, which may not be suitable for all homes. Freestanding models have a flat, smooth surface that makes them much easier to clean than other kinds of hobs. Stainless steel trims are often used, and are matched to many kitchen designs. Some feature touch-sensitive controls, as well as an energy boost feature that allows you to increase the power of a particular burner by as much as 50%, meaning you can bring a pan of water to the boiling point in no time. Certain gas hobs are equipped with an automatic safety feature that stops gas supply when the flame goes out. This way, you don't have to worry about accidentally starting an fire. Gas hobs are less expensive to run than some electric ones, and they allow for precise temperature control. Gas hobs release carbon dioxide when they burn. This could be a problem for eco-conscious customers. There are models that don't emit CO2 when in use. These gas hobs with zero emissions,' or eco-friendly gas stoves' have all the features of a standard gas model while emitting no CO2. Electric hobs Electric hobs are a common choice for kitchens of any design. They have a variety of advantages over other kinds. Electric hobs can heat up and cool off faster than gas hobs. This means that less heat is left when the cookware is removed. They also heat more evenly and are less likely to be prone to hot spots than gas models. Since they are electric, they require less maintenance and are cheaper to run than gas. Most often found in modern kitchens ceramic or glass electric hobs provide a sleek and stylish appearance that is both easy to clean and safe to touch. Their flat surface also makes them a popular choice for those who have children, as they aren't likely to be smashed or scratched by heavy pans. They are also relatively inexpensive to run and can easily 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. This means that they heat up and cool down quicker, and can be used with any kind of cookware. They're generally more expensive than electric plate hobs, but they'll reduce your energy costs over the long term due to their high efficiency and the way they convert almost all of the electrical energy into usable heat. It is essential to maintain your ceramic or tempered glass stove regularly to avoid any problems. For example cleaning the cooktop with a non-abrasive cleaner is recommended as well as replacing or checking the heating controls, as well as regularly cleaning out the grates and burner caps. It is also essential to watch for any indications of gas odour as it could indicate an issue with the gas lines or a gas leak. It is best to contact a professional gas technician for assistance if you suspect an issue. To avoid damage that could be serious make sure that the burner is shut off and cooled prior to cleaning. This will also help to stop accidental fires or spills! Induction hobs The modern alternative to traditional electric and gas hobs, induction cookers utilize magnetic fields to heat the pan rather than the cooktop itself. They heat up faster than other stoves, and will save you energy over time. They are also a lot safer to use because the cooktop's surface stays cool to the touch, and many have safety features such as automatic shut-off to avoid accidents. Induction hobs are typically glass or ceramic with an alternating current that creates an electric field that heats. Induction-compatible pans need to have flat bases and a steel core. The magnetic field is activated only when the pan is placed over the cooking area. The majority of hobs come with an bridging zone that can connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. Induction hobs are renowned for their efficiency and many users report a dip in their overall energy bills after switching to one. They are also believed to be more secure since the cooktop's surface remains cool to the touch, reducing the risk of burns, and only heats the pan and its contents. This makes them safer for children than gas or electric hobs, which can become very hot and can pose a fire risk. The majority of induction hobs have different control types with the most basic being an easy-to-use power bar/touch mark on the top of the hob, or an entirely functional TFT display that shows all options and allows you to change power levels as well as set timers, and more. Modern induction hobs feature numerous small copper coils tightly grouped together under the cooktop. the magnet under 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 hobs and ovens are available as freestanding models or seamlessly integrated into kitchen's worktops and units for a an elegant, seamless look. Our complete range includes everything from sleek black and stainless-steel finishes to on-trend copper and ceramic. Check out our other appliances such as dishwashers, refrigerator freezers and washing machines that will make your kitchen run smoothly.