A Guide to Ovens and Hobs
Stoves and ovens can be easily integrated into your kitchen worktops and kitchen units to give it a a sleek and modern feel. Explore our complete range of ovens and hobs now.
Electric hobs heat up using different 'cooking rings' that can range between four and six power levels. It can take a few minutes for them to heat up and cool down.
Hobs in various types
The kitchen hob, stove top or range cooker (the latter is the main cooking appliance you roast and bake your food in) is a crucial part of every home. best ovens and hobs uk is used to cook various food items and, for this reason, it's important that you select the appropriate hob to suit your cooking style. Whether you are a master chef who values precision or a busy family cook looking for speed, there's a cooker that will meet your needs.
Electric ceramic and induction hobs are frameless, flat design that improves the elegant appearance of any kitchen. Each of the four or five zones can be controlled using a separate dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring while sautéing the sausages on a different. This is great for busy families. They also rapidly heat up and feature a a smooth surface that makes them easy to wipe clean. They can be more expensive than gas hobs, and might take longer to heat and cool down.
Gas hobs are popular among chefs because they provide instant heating and precise control. Gas hobs are also safe because they are equipped with safety systems for flame failure, which will shut off the gas supply in case there is leaks. They are less efficient than electrical or induction hobs. They are also more difficult to clean due to the pan's supports and stove burners.
Plate hobs are the most popular type of hob that has been in use for decades. They have a flat-topped top with electric or gas rings that are heated when you turn the dial. They're economical, but not the best choice for cast iron cookware and don't distribute heat evenly across the whole surface.
Induction hobs are able to heat your pan directly, instead of heating up the surface of the hob as with traditional hobs. They are safer, as there's no open flame. They are also easy to clean. They're also more expensive than electric or gas hobs and can take longer to warm up and cool down.
Gas hobs
Gas hobs are a common choice among home cooks because of their fast heating capabilities and easy control. There are usually models that have 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 hob is on or off.
They are faster to cook food than electric or induction models and are therefore ideal for busy kitchens. They can also be cheaper to run than electric hobs, provided you get electricity from a company that produces renewable energy sources.
There are gas hobs that are freestanding or built-in models. If you plan to remodel your kitchen, the freestanding models are better since they can be moved easily. However, they are difficult to install and might require hacking into your completed carpentry, which isn't ideal for all homes.
Freestanding models have a flat, smooth surface that makes them much easier to clean than other kinds of hobs. The stainless steel trims are commonly used, and are used in conjunction with a variety of kitchen designs. Certain models come with touch-sensitive controls, and some even feature the power boost feature, which boosts the power of the burner by 50%..
Certain gas hobs are equipped with an automatic safety feature that shuts off the gas supply once the flame goes out. This way, you don't have to worry about accidentally igniting a fire. Gas hobs can be cheaper to run than electric ones, and permit precise temperature control.
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. Known as "zero emission gas hobs" or eco-friendly gas hobs they have all the standard features of a traditional gas model however they don't emit CO2 at all while in operation.
Electric hobs
A popular choice for kitchens of all styles electric hobs have numerous advantages over other types of cookers. Electric hobs can heat up and cool off faster than gas hobs. This means that less heat remains after the cookware is removed. They also cook more consistently and are less susceptible to hot spots than some gas models. Electric models are also easier to maintain and cost less to operate than gas models.
Typically used in modern kitchens, ceramic or glass electric hobs have an elegant and fashionable appearance that's both easy to clean and safe to touch. Their flat surface makes them a popular choice for parents with children, as they're less likely to be smashed or scratched by heavy pans. They're also fairly inexpensive to run and are able to be replaced in the event of damage.
Ceramic hobs heat directly in the pan, unlike traditional plate hobs that rely on coils to heat the pan. They are able to heat and cool faster and can be used for any type of cookware. These are often more expensive than electric plate stoves however, they will save money in the long term because of their efficiency.
It is crucial to keep your ceramic or tempered glass stove regularly to avoid any issues. For instance, cleaning the cooktop with a non-abrasive cleaner is recommended as well as checking and replacing faulty heating controls, and regularly cleaning out burner caps and grates. Be on the lookout for gas smells, because they could indicate a problem in the gas lines or gas leaks. If you suspect this, it's recommended to seek out a professional in gas for assistance. To avoid serious damage, always ensure that the hob is completely shut off and cool down before cleaning. This will also help to avoid accidental fires or spills!
Induction hobs
A modern alternative to traditional gas and electric hobs, induction cookers utilize magnetic fields to heat the pan rather than the cooktop itself. They heat up faster than other stoves, and will reduce energy consumption over the course of. The cooktop surface is cool to the touch and many models have safety features like automatic shutoff to avoid accidents.
Induction hobs are usually glass or ceramic with an alternating current that creates a magnetic field to heat. An induction-compatible pan must have a flat bottom as well as a steel or iron core, and the magnetic field is only activated when the pan is placed in the cooking zone. Most hobs have an 'bridging zone' that can join two zones together to accommodate larger pans.
Induction hobs are known for their efficiency, and a lot of people report dips in their coverall energy costs after switching to one. Induction hobs are also thought to be more secure, since the cooktop's surface 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 gas or electric hobs which can become extremely hot and pose a burn risk.
Most induction cooktops come with different types of controls, the most basic being a simple touch mark/power bar on the top of the hob, or a fully functional TFT display that shows all the options and lets you easily alter the power levels, set timers and more. The more advanced models of induction hobs include numerous small copper coils, tightly placed beneath the cooktop, and the magnet underneath each one will sense when you place your pan. It then activates the coil to suit the pan 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 complete range includes everything from sleek black and stainless-steel finishes to trendy ceramic and copper. Be sure to take a look at our other appliances, too including refrigerator freezers and washing machines to get your kitchen functioning as it should.