15 Things You've Never Known About Hobs

A Guide to Ovens and Hobs Ovens and stoves can be seamlessly integrated into your kitchen worktops or kitchen units to give it an elegant and contemporary look. Explore our complete range of ovens and hobs today. Electric hobs heat up using different looking 'cooking rings' that can have anywhere from four to six power levels. They may take a few minutes to get warm and cool down. Types of hobs Each home is incomplete without an oven, kitchen hob cooker or stovetop (the latter being a whole kitchen appliance where you can roast and bake food). It is used to prepare many different meals and for this reason, it's important that you choose the right type of hob for your cooking style. There's a hob that's suitable for everyone, no matter if you're a professional chef who likes precision or a busy home cook seeking speed. Induction and electric ceramic stoves are flat and frameless which adds to the sleek look of any kitchen. They are equipped with four or five cooking zones, each of which is controlled independently by an individual dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring while sauteing the sausages on another. This is ideal for busy families. They heat up quickly, and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. However, they can be more expensive than gas hobs and may take longer to cool down and heat down. Gas hobs are popular among chefs due to their instant heat and provide precise control. Gas hobs are also safe since they come with safety systems for fire failures that will shut off the gas supply in the event there is leaks. However, they are less energy-efficient than induction or electric hobs and are more difficult to clean due to the burners and pan supports. Plate hobs are the most popular type of hob and have been around for decades. They feature a flat top that is fitted with gas or electric rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They're inexpensive, but they're not ideal for cookware made of cast iron and do not evenly distribute heat across the whole surface. Induction hobs can heat your pan directly instead of heating up the surface of the hob like traditional hobs. 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 quick heating capabilities and ease of control. There are models with between two and six burners. Some models come with a wok burner to cook stir-fry. Some also have a visual flame indicator that shows you whether the oven is on or off. They are faster at heating food than electric or induction models, which makes them perfect for kitchens that are busy. They are also less expensive to run than electric hobs, provided you get electricity from a company that produces renewable energy sources. You can choose to buy freestanding gas hobs or built-in models. ovens hobs are a better option when you're planning to redesign your kitchen since they are easy to move later. They can be difficult to install, and may require you to cut into the finished carpentry. This isn't the best choice for every home. They have a flat and smooth surface, making them easy to clean. The stainless steel trims are commonly used, which can be fitted to a variety of kitchen designs. Some models even 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%, so you can bring a pot of water to a boil in no time. Some gas hobs feature an automatic flame failure safety system that shuts off the supply of gas once the flame is gone, so you don't risk burning yourself in the process. Gas hobs are less expensive to run than electric ones, and they allow for precise temperature control. It's worth mentioning that gas hobs emit carbon dioxide as they burn, which can be a problem for environmentally conscious consumers. Fortunately, there are models that don't produce any CO2 while they're being used. Known as “zero emission gas hobs” or eco-friendly gas hobs, they still have all the usual features of traditional gas models but don't emit any CO2 operating. Electric hobs A common option for kitchens of all styles, electric hobs offer numerous advantages over other kinds of cookers. First, they tend to heat up and cool down faster than gas hobs, meaning less heat remains in the cookware when it is taken off. They also heat more consistently and are less prone to hot spots than some gas models. Electric models are also easier to maintain and cheaper to run than gas models. 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 contact. They're also a good choice for families with kids as their flat surface is less likely to be damaged by heavy pans. They're also reasonably priced to run and can easily be repaired in the event of damage. Unlike traditional plate hobs, which make use of coils to generate heat which is transferred to cookware, ceramic hobs employ an induction system to heat directly the pan. They can heat and cool quicker and are suitable for any cookware. They're generally more expensive than electric plate hobs, but they'll reduce your energy costs over the long term due to their efficiency and the way they convert almost all the electrical energy into usable heat. It's important that you maintain your ceramic or tempered glass hob regularly to avoid any problems. For example cleaning the cooktop using a non-abrasive cleaning solution is recommended, as well as replacing or checking the heating controls, and regularly cleaning out burner caps and grates. 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's best to call a professional gas technician for assistance if you suspect a problem. Always make sure that the hob is cool completely prior to cleaning it in order to prevent any serious damage. This will also help avoid accidental fires or spills! Induction hobs A modern alternative to traditional gas and electric hobs, induction cookers utilize an electric field to heat the pan instead of the cooktop itself. They heat up faster than other stoves, and will help you save energy over the course of time. The cooktop's surface is cool to the touch and many models have safety features like automatic shutoff to avoid accidents. Induction hobs are typically ceramic or glass that have an alternating current that creates a magnetic field to heat. Induction-compatible pans need to have flat bases and a steel core. The magnetic field is activated when the pan is placed over the cooking area. The majority of hobs have a 'bridging zone' which allows two zones to be joined to accommodate larger pans. Induction hobs are well-known for their efficiency, and a lot of people have reported a dip in their overall energy bills after switching to one. They are also thought to be safer as the cooktop surface stays cool to the edge, reducing the risk of burns, and only heating the pan and its contents. This makes them safer for children than gas or electric hobs which can get very hot. Most induction hobs come with various control options with the most basic being the simple power bar or touch mark on the surface of the hob, or a fully functional TFT display that shows all the options and allows you to alter the power levels or set timers. Modern induction hobs feature many small copper coils tightly connected below 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 size and shape. All of our ovens and stoves are available as freestanding models, or they can be neatly integrated with your kitchen units to create sleek and seamless design. Our range of products ranges from sleek black and stainless steel finishes to contemporary copper and ceramic. Explore our other kitchen appliances like dishwashers, refrigerator freezers and washing machines to help your kitchen run smoothly.