A Guide to the Best Hobs in the UK

A hob is an oven that is separate from cooker. A cooker is a separate appliance that has an oven and a stove.

Malignant - and possibly mischievous sprites of the countryside, Hobs were often combined with Goblin to give us the Hobgoblin.

Gas Hobs

A good hob is essential in modern kitchens. There's a suitable hob for any budget and style, whether you prefer ceramic, induction, or gas. A high-quality hob will heat quickly and evenly to cook your food in a snap, while also adding a sleek finish to your kitchen.

One of the major advantages of a gas stove is its precise temperature control. It is quick to reach high temperatures making it ideal for searing meat, boiling water and stir-frying veggies. Its ability to alter heat output quickly is also useful for delicate sauces and dishes, which require a lower temperature setting.

Gas hobs are also energy efficient. It runs on natural gas, which is typically cheaper than electricity, making it more affordable to operate a hob. Furthermore, it makes use of a direct flame to heat your utensils, this means there is less energy wasted around the edges of the burners.

Modern gas hobs are designed with a sleek appearance to complement any kitchen decor. You can choose models with a glossy black or stainless steel finishes that blend in seamlessly and make your kitchen look more contemporary. If you prefer, you can pick a glass ceramic model that is easy to clean and is highly durable.

Gas hobs are a popular option for modern kitchens because of their versatility and user-friendly. They can also complement traditional kitchen designs, especially when you incorporate an oven in your kitchen layout. It is important to note that they can increase the risk of fire when compared with electric or induction hobs. They do not have safety features, such as the ability to shut off instantly and have a child safety locks on the knobs for control.

When it comes to choosing a gas hob it is important to consider the number of cooking zones and burners you require. You can select models that have 1,2 or 5 cooking zones. A lot of models also have central wok burners which is a powerful burner that is suitable for rapid stirring-frying or boiling. It is important to check the kind of ignition system that is used. The majority of gas hobs light the burners with an electric spark or an ongoing electric pilot flame.

Induction Hobs

Induction cookers are gaining popularity due to their speed and effectiveness. Gas hobs are a favorite among home cooks. These glass-topped flat stoves use magnetism instead of heat to heat the contents of the pan. This makes them more efficient and safer since there isn't any flame underneath. Induction hobs come with a range of 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 in order to fit larger pans. You can also choose to regulate the temperature of each ring separately by using the touchscreen panel. This is a great choice for those who love entertaining and can be a lifesaver when you have guests who have different dietary requirements. It is important to remember that induction cooktops aren't suitable for those who have pacemakers because they produce electromagnetic fields that can disrupt their operation.

ovens uk recommends a minimum distance of 60cm between a power source and any active hob if you have a pacemaker fitted. The magnetic field created by the hob may interact with some electronic devices and cause malfunction, so you should ensure that your device isn't near the hot plate or in an area of cooking live.

Another induction hob we have available is this model from CDA that has five hob zones as well as various functions, such as melt and simmer which can be perfect for bain maries or slow-cooked stews. The hb was also built with safety in mind. It has child locks, anti-overflow and overheat settings.

This induction hob comes with an aesthetic that is more contemporary than other models. This is evident in the sleek black surface that will blend well with most kitchen designs. It has a range of features such as a pause feature that lets you switch off the stove without removing the pan, and the boost feature that gives additional power to speed up heating. It is also energy-efficient, and the touch-screen display has some handy pre-set recipes to help you choose your favourite recipes.

LPG Hobs

Gas hobs can be controlled to heating instantly, and the capability to reach higher temperatures than electric cooktops. Gas hobs are popular for commercial and domestic kitchens. They are used to heat leftovers or create culinary masterpieces.

Our range of LPG hobs are available in a variety of sizes, ranging from 60cm with 4 burners, to 90cm with 5 or 6 burners. A lot of these hobs are also compatible with natural gas by using a simple conversion kits which makes them the ideal solution for homes that have existing mains connections.

All of our gas hobs are made by brands that you trust like Falcon, Imperial and Lincat with models that are available in a selection of finishes. There are models available with stainless steel, black glass, and other finishes to match your home.


There are plenty of features to consider when choosing gas hobs, with some models offering automatic pan detection to provide safety. This lets the cooking zones start only when the appropriate cookware has been placed and prevents heat loss. Certain hobs feature a mix of cooking zones which can accommodate different sizes of pans. Certain hobs are equipped with child locks to keep accidental fingers away from the controls. Others even come with an auto-shutoff feature that shuts the hob off if it's not utilized for a specified period of time.

Another benefit of LPG is that it's more readily available than electricity, which is often more difficult to access in rural areas. The liquid form of LPG makes it easy to store and transport, making it perfect for those who live in remote areas or run catering businesses that don't have access to gas mains.

Gas hobs come in various models, and some have boiling times as little as five minutes. They are ideal for preparing pastas, potatoes, and other meals when time is of the essence. Our hobs have cast iron pan supports that are strong and feature an alarm system for flame failure to ensure the flame is never completely extinguished.

Contact Us

When you cook for family or guests, the right cooktop will make all the difference. Our team of kitchen experts will guide you through the four most popular kinds that will help you identify the cooker hob that is best suited to your lifestyle and cooking habits.

Gas hobs offer excellent precision and control, and come in a range of styles to choose from with 4 to 6 burners. You can find models that can be converted to LPG which is a less expensive and safer fuel. Our selection includes all the major brands, with a wide selection of colours and finishes to match your kitchen's style.

The word hob is a traditional English term that originally meant 'a shelf or grate in front of a fire'. It's an old-fashioned term that describes the way we cooked at home in the past with large fireplaces and shelves that were separate for pots. Today, most kitchens have an oven as well as a separate hob (stove top) that can be gas or electric.

Other countries might refer to the stove as a cooker, however the British call it a hob. A hob is a separate appliance that uses heating rings to heat saucepans and cookware, while a cooker is a bigger freestanding unit that consists of an oven and a hob. A range cooker is a large combination of a hob and an oven, which is often integrated into a worktop. More information on the affected gas hobs as well as hazard descriptions and product identifiers are available on the Product Safety Report pages linked to above.