A Guide to Ovens and Hobs

Hobs and ovens provide a sleek, modern feel to any kitchen and can be easily integrated into your worktops and kitchen units. Shop our full range of ovens and hobs now.

Electric hobs heat up using various 'cooking ring designs that come with between four and six power levels. It can take a few minutes to heat up and cool down.

Hobs of different types

The kitchen hob, stove top or range cooker (the latter being the complete cooking appliance you roast and bake things in) is a crucial part of every home. It is used for a variety of cooking techniques, which is why it's essential to select the ideal hob for you. No matter if you're a seasoned chef who is a fan of precision or a busy family cook looking for speed, there's a hob that will meet your needs.


Electric ceramic and induction stoves are frameless and flat which adds to the sleek look of any kitchen. They come with four or five cooking zones, each of which is independent of each other by a dial. You can boil potatoes on one ring while sautéing the sausages on a different. This is ideal for busy families. They heat quickly, and their smooth surface makes them easy to clean. They are more expensive than gas hobs, and they may take longer to heat up and cool down.

Gas hobs offer instant heat and permit precise control, which makes them popular among chefs. Gas hobs are also safe because they have built-in safety systems to prevent flame failure that will shut off the gas supply in the event there is leaks. They may be less efficient than electric or induction hobs. They are also more difficult to clean due to the pan's supports and stove burners.

Plate hobs have been around for a long time. They have a flat, smooth surface with electric or gas rings that heat up when you turn the dial. They are affordable, but not ideal for cooking with cast-iron as they don't evenly distribute heat across the entire surface.

Induction hobs make use of an electromagnetic field to directly heat your pan, instead of heating the surface as traditional hobs do. They're safer than gas and have no open flame, and are 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 preferred choice for home cooks due to of their quick heating capabilities and ease of control. There are models that have between two and six burners. Some have a wok burner designed for stir-fry cooking. Some also have a visual flame indicator that indicates whether the oven is on or off.

They cook food faster than induction models or electric models, making them ideal for kitchens that are busy. They can be cheaper to run than electric hobs, if you use electricity generated by renewable energy sources.

You can choose to buy gas hobs that are freestanding or built-in models. If you're planning to redesign your kitchen, freestanding models are more suitable because they can be moved easily. However, they are 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 types of hobs. Trims made of stainless steel are frequently used, and are fitted to a variety of kitchen designs. Some even come with touch-sensitive controls as well as an energy boost feature that lets you boost the intensity of a specific burner by up to 50%, so you can bring a pot of water to a boiling point in a matter of minutes.

Some gas hobs come with a safety system that automatically stops gas supply once the flame goes out. This means you don't need to worry about accidentally igniting a fire. Gas hobs can be cheaper to run than some electric ones, and permit precise temperature control.

Gas hobs release carbon dioxide when they burn. This could be an issue for eco-conscious consumers. There are models that do not emit CO2 while in use. These 'zero-emission gas hobs,' or eco-friendly gas stoves', have all the features of a conventional gas stove but emits zero CO2.

Electric hobs

Electric hobs are a popular option for kitchens of every design. They have a variety of advantages over other types. Electric hobs are able to heat up and cool down quicker than gas hobs. This means that less residual heat is left when the cookware is removed. They heat more evenly and are less likely to develop hot spots than gas models. Being electric, they also require less maintenance and are more affordable to run than gas.

Typically used in modern kitchens, ceramic or glass electric hobs provide an elegant and fashionable appearance that is both easy to clean and safe to contact. Their flat surface also makes them a popular choice for those who have children, as they aren't likely to be scratched or smashed by heavy pans. They're also reasonably priced to run and are easily repaired when damaged.

In contrast to traditional plate hobs which use coils to generate heat which is then transferred to the cookware, ceramic hobs utilize an induction system that heats directly the pan. This means that they heat up and cool down much faster, and can be used with any kind of cookware. They're often pricier than electric plate hobs but they'll save you money on energy costs in the long run due to their efficiency and the way they convert almost all the electrical energy into usable heat.

It is essential to maintain your ceramic or tempered glass hob regularly to avoid any issues. For example cleaning the cooktop with a non-abrasive cleaner is recommended, as is checking and replacing damaged heating controls, as well as regularly cleaning out burner caps and grates. It is also essential to keep an eye for any indications of gas odour, as this could represent an issue with the gas lines or a gas leak. If you suspect this, it's best to contact a gas professional for assistance. Make sure that the hob is cool completely prior to cleaning in order to avoid severe damage. This will also help prevent accidental fires or spills!

Hobs with induction

Induction cookers are a modern alternative to traditional electric and gas hobs. They use an electric field instead of the cooktop to heat the pan. They heat up quicker than other stoves and can help you save energy over the course of time. The cooktop surface is cool to the touch. Many models come with safety features such as automatic shutoff to avoid accidents.

Induction hobs are typically ceramic or glass that have an alternating current that creates magnetic fields 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 on the cooking zone. Most hobs feature a bridging zone that can connect two zones to accommodate larger pans.

ovens uk Links to an external site. are renowned for efficiency. Many have reported reductions in their overall energy costs when they change to one. They are also considered to be safer since the cooktop's surface remains cool to the edge, reducing the risk of burns, and it only heats the pan and its contents. This makes them safer for children than gas or electric hobs, which can be extremely hot.

Most induction hobs have different control types. The simplest is the simple touch bar/power bar on top of the hob. Others come with an all-inclusive display that displays all the options available, and allows you to easily adjust the power levels as well as set timers. More advanced induction hobs have lots of small copper coils tightly grouped together below the cooktop, and the magnet under each one will detect the pan you are placing it. The coil is activated when it is the right one for your pan size and shape.

All of our ovens and hobs are available as freestanding models or are easily integrated into your kitchen units and worktop for an elegant, seamless appearance. Our full range includes everything from sleek black and stainless-steel finishes to on-trend copper and ceramic. Make sure you check out our other appliances, too such as dishwashers, refrigerator freezers and washing machines, to make sure that your kitchen running exactly as it should.