Types of Oven Hob

A hob is an uncooked surface that is placed above your oven to cook your pans and pots. There are several different types of hob including electric, gas and induction.

Things to look out for include touch, rotary and position controls. These controls allow you to control heating zones by pressing one button. They also prevent them from being smashed down easily, especially when they are used by children.

Ceramic Hobs

Ceramic hobs offer style and functionality in a contemporary kitchen. The glossy surface is susceptible to damage from food scratches and residues. Keeping your hob clean with a regular routine and avoiding using scrubbers or abrasive cleaners is essential to keep it looking good and working efficiently.

The hobs of this style are heated by transferring an electrical current through coiled metal components that are hidden beneath the glass surface. These elements generate heat when they are activated using control knobs. Certain models include an element that radiates that emits heat across the glass surface. Others use halogen elements, which are more powerful and heat the entire surface area in successive pulses, making them especially ideal for cooking in short time.

Many ceramic hobs we sell have advanced safety features like residual heat indicators that alert you when the surface is hot to the touch, thereby preventing burns. Some also come with child locks to prevent children accidentally altering the settings.

It is essential to select the correct cookware for your ceramic hob. This will ensure that your pans are flat-bottomed, which ensures even heat distribution and helps avoid hot spots that could cause under or overcooked food. Avoid dragging pans over the surface, as this can scratch the tempered-glass.

We recommend ceramic hobs with dual-ring designs, or the 'I Flex zone. This can accommodate two single pots or one large pan. You'll need a pan with a minimum size of 30cm to allow it to register. There are models that have booster heaters for quick heating in specific pans or zones. This is perfect for stir-fry and searing steak. Certain models come with an automatic shut-off feature that shuts off the hob at a specific time to prevent it from overheating. This is a helpful safety feature to have in place to provide peace of mind. This function is usually activated by pressing the 'Power' button on the control panel when you have your appliance set to the maximum temperature and no activity is detected for a set period of time.

Gas Hobs

Gas hobs, also referred to as gas stoves, or gas cookers, are kitchen appliances that utilize natural gas that is flammable, or the liquefied petrol gas (LPG) as their fuel. The flame heats cookware and the air around it, which allows for quick cooking and precise temperature control. Gas hobs are designed to be elevated, which offers extra security by preventing your body from coming into contact with the flame. This eliminates the danger of burning. However, this elevated construction requires special attention when using and cleaning the hob to prevent accidentally spilling liquids onto the burners.

The burners of a traditional gas stove are controlled manually and lit with matches. The latest models have an automatic igniter that ensures the gas is lit automatically. The flame is then controlled by the knobs that control it making it easy to adjust the level of heat according to your needs. Certain gas hobs have multiple flame burners, depending on the model. This gives you more cooking flexibility.

Gas hobs require a constant gas supply, which could be an issue if you live in an area that has a non-reliable or unstable supply. weblink require frequent maintenance to prevent leaks and corrosion. For these reasons, it is essential to install a gas stove only after consulting an approved Gas Safe fitter who will provide expert installation and follow strict safety protocols.


While electric and induction hobs are getting more popular however, there is an enormous market for gas appliances in certain regions. This is partly due to consumer preference and environmental concerns, as well as local energy prices and availability. It is crucial to think about the cost of utility and infrastructure before selecting a kitchen style.

Hobs Induction

Induction hobs have become a favorite among our clients who want an elegant, modern kitchen. They use magnetism to warm the pans, not an oven or a plate that is heated or burning gas underneath. Below the glass ceramic's surface are copper coils through which an electric current that is alternating runs through. When an induction-compatible saucepan is placed on the top of the cooker, the coils sense the magnetic base and generate heat directly into the cooker or the pan itself. This is much faster than traditional gas hobs, and is more energy efficient, too. The glass-ceramic surface is cool and cool to touch and easy to clean.

As with other modern hobs, induction hobs are also designed to be easier to clean than their gas counterparts. A simple wipe using a damp cloth is all you need to keep your induction hob looking great as new.

The primary drawback with induction cooking is that you must have suitable cookware for it. All pans including cast iron stainless steel, non-stick and cast iron, must have an iron base that is magnetized. If you're not sure whether your existing cookware is induction-compatible, a quick test is to place a magnet on the bottom of the pan. If it sticks firmly, then your pan is induction-compatible.

A range of induction stoves are available, from budget models to premium brands with a TFT display and an extensive operating menu. The hob displays the pan's location on a full-color display when it is placed in an area of power. A control button or slider allows you to alter the power setting or set a clock. There are also clever accessories available, including pan sensors that adhere to the sides of your cookware, and communicate with the hob through bluetooth to regulate the power in a precise manner.

Induction hobs with a built-in fan can reduce smoke, steam, and cooking odors. This model is perfect for homes with limited space, as it does not require an extractor fan. Like other induction hobs, it makes use of magnetic fields that operate within the kilohertz spectrum to create the heat that affects your pan and its contents. In normal operation at an interval of five to ten centimeters, these fields conform with the reference value for the magnetic flux density that was established for the relevant frequency range by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection and no health-related effects are anticipated.

Electric Hobs

The top electric hobs are sleek and designed to fit most kitchen styles. These are great for those who prefer using touch controls to dials, and they come with a variety of options to meet your cooking requirements. Most of them are made from glass, which is clean and stylish in a white or black design. Some models have bridge features that allow you to connect two zones in order to make room for larger pans while others have an extra power boost button to provide extra heat for tasks that require a lot of effort.

Induction hobs are increasing in popularity due to their modern and clean design that can be incorporated into modern kitchen designs. They cook fast and offer a high degree of safety. They tend to cool faster than gas cookers and have an indicator light that remains in place when the cooking area gets hot to the touch. They are also more efficient, as the magnetic field only heats the pan, not the air around it.

But, there are a few things to consider when selecting an induction hob which is that most require a power supply with the appropriate breakers and cables. We'd recommend having your electric cooker installed by a licensed electrician. They can also be quite expensive and you'll require an appropriate set of induction pans to get the most from them. They are more expensive due to the fact that they consume more energy.

Why not take a look at our extensive range of kitchen appliances if your thinking of the purchase of a new kitchen or replacing your existing hob? We can assist you in choosing the best oven hob to suit your cooking style and preferences. Our experts are always ready to talk you through your options and answer any questions you might have. We provide an nationwide service and will install your new appliance if you want.