A Guide to the Best Hobs in the UK

A hob is an oven that is separate from cooker. A cooker is a freestanding unit that includes both a stove and an oven.

Hobs are playful and sometimes malignant creatures that reside in the countryside. They were often mixed with Goblins to create the Hobgoblin.

Gas Hobs

A quality hob is a must in any modern kitchen. Whether you prefer gas, induction or ceramic there's a model to fit your style and budget. A quality hob can heat up quickly and evenly to cook your food in a flash and adds an elegant look to your kitchen.

One of the key benefits of a gas stove is its precise temperature control. It is quick to reach temperatures that are high, making it ideal for cooking meat, boiling water, and stirring-frying vegetables. Its ability to adjust the output of heat quickly is ideal for delicate sauces and dishes, that require a lower heat setting.

Gas hobs are also energy efficient. Gas is cheaper than electricity and can be used to power a hob. It also makes use of direct flames for heating your kitchen utensils. This means that there is less energy wasted around burner edges.

Modern gas hobs are designed with a sleek look to complement any kitchen decor. Models with stainless steel or a glossy black finish blend seamlessly into your kitchen and make it appear more contemporary. Alternatively, you can choose a glass ceramic model that is easy to clean and highly durable.

Gas hobs have become an increasingly popular option in modern kitchens due to their flexibility and ease of use. They also work well with traditional kitchen designs, particularly when you include the range cooker into your layout. However, it's important to note that they can increase the risk of fire when compared to electric or induction hobs. This is due to the fact that they lack the added security features that allow them to be switched off instantly and also having child safety locks on the control knobs.

When you are choosing a gas stove, be aware of the number of burners and cooking zones you need. You can pick models that have 1,2 or 5 cooking zones. Many models come with central woks, which is a powerful burner that can be used for rapid boiling and stir-frying. Find out the type of ignition you are using. Most gas hobs use an electric spark or an ongoing electric pilot flame to ignite the burners.

Hobs induction


While gas hobs are still popular with home cooks Induction cookers are growing in popularity for their speed and efficiency. These flat glass-topped cookers employ magnetism to heat the contents of a pan, rather than heating the surface, which makes them more efficient and safer as there is no flame beneath. Induction hobs have many options, including some that our Good Housekeeping Institute experts have found can be particularly beneficial.

One of them is the bridge function which lets you join two hob rings to fit larger pans. You can also choose to regulate the temperature of each ring independently through the touchscreen panel. This is a good option for those who love entertaining and can be lifesaver if you have guests with different dietary requirements. It is worth noting though that induction hobs aren't suited for people who wear pacemakers since they create electromagnetic fields that can interfere with their operation.

The British Heart Foundation recommends that you keep a distance of at least 60cm between any source of power and an active hob, if you are wearing a pacemaker. The magnetic field created by the hob may interact with other electrical devices, causing them to malfunction, so you must ensure that your device isn't within reach of an oven or an area of cooking live.

Another induction hob available is this model from CDA with five hob zones and a variety of functions, such as melt and simmer that can be ideal for bain maries or slow cooked stews. The hob is designed with safety in the mind. It has child locks, anti-overflow, as well as overheat settings.

This induction hob comes with an elegant design compared to other models. This is reflected in the sleek black surface that will blend well with the majority of kitchen designs. It has a range of features that include a pause function that lets you temporarily shut off the oven without removing your pan as well as a boost feature which provides extra power to speed up the heating process. It's also energy efficient and the touch-screen has some handy pre-set recipes for your favourites.

LPG Hobs

Gas hobs can be controlled to instant heat, with the ability to reach far higher temperatures than electric cooktops. Gas hobs are popular for both commercial and residential kitchens. They are used to heat leftovers or create culinary masterpieces.

Our selection of LPG gas hobs include an array of widths from 60cm comprising four burners, up to 90cm, which is comprised of 5 or 6 burners. A large portion of these hobs could also be converted to natural gas using an easy kit. This is why they are the ideal choice for homes with mains connections.

All of our gas hobs are from trusted brands like Falcon, Imperial, and Lincat. They are available in different styles and finishes. You'll find models with stainless steel, black glass and other finishes that will complement your home.

There are a variety of features to take into consideration when selecting gas hobs, including some models that offer automatic pan detection to provide safety. They permit the cooking zones to only activate when the cookware required is present, preventing the heat from being wasted. Some hobs have combinable cooking zones to accommodate different sizes of pans. Some hobs have child locks to keep unintentional fingers away from the controls. Some even include an auto shut-off feature that turns the hob off when it isn't utilized for a specified duration of time.

Another great thing about LPG is that it's far more widely available than electricity, which is usually harder to find in rural areas. Its liquid form makes it easy to store and transport, making it an ideal for those who live in remote areas or have catering businesses that don't have access to gas mains.

Gas hobs come in different models, and some have water boiling times as little as five minutes. They are ideal for preparing pastas, potatoes, and other favourites when time is of the essence. A majority of our hobs are equipped with flat cast iron pan supports for durability, as well as a flame-failure safety device that ensures the flame doesn't go out.

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When you cook for guests or family the right kitchen appliance will make all the difference. Our kitchen experts will guide you through the four most popular kinds that will help you identify the cooker hob which is most appropriate for your lifestyle and cooking preferences.

Gas hobs offer excellent precision and control, and come in a range of styles available with 4 to 6 burners. You can even find models that can be converted to LPG which is a safer and more affordable fuel. Our range includes all major brands in a range of colours and finishes that can be matched to your kitchen's style.

The word hob is a traditional English term that originally meant the term 'a grate or shelf that is placed by a fire'. It's an old-fashioned term that explains how we used to cook at home in previous decades with huge fireplaces and separate shelves for pots. Nowadays, kitchens are fitted with ovens and an additional stove top (hob) that can be either electric or gas-powered.

Other countries might refer to the stove as a cooker, but the British call it hob. A hob is an independent piece of equipment that has heating rings for saucepans. A cooker is a larger unit that incorporates a hob and an oven. A range cooker is a combination of a hob and oven , often built into a worktop. More information on the affected gas hobs, including hazard descriptions and product identifiers are available on the Product Safety Report pages linked to above.