A Guide to the Best Hobs in the UK
A hob is a cook top that is affixed to an oven worktop. It is also separate from an oven. A cooker is a stand-alone appliance that comes with an oven and a stove.
Mischievous - and possibly malignant sprites from the countryside, Hobs were often combined with Goblin to create the Hobgoblin.
Gas Hobs
In any modern kitchen, a good hob is essential. Whether you prefer ceramic, induction, or gas there's a model that will fit your style and budget. A high-quality hob will heat quickly and evenly to cook your food quickly and also add an elegant appearance to your kitchen.
A gas hob's precise temperature control is among its most significant advantages. It is quick to reach high heat levels which is perfect for boiling water, searing meat and stirring-frying vegetables. Its ability to adjust its heat output quickly makes it ideal for delicate sauces or dishes that require the use of a lower temperature setting.
Another advantage of a gas hob is its energy efficiency. It makes use of natural gas, which is usually cheaper than electricity, which makes it less expensive to run a hob. Additionally, it uses direct flames to heat your kitchen utensils which means that there is less energy wasted around the edges of the burners.
Modern gas hobs come with an elegant design that can be matched to any kitchen design. You can choose models with glossy black or stainless steel finish that will blend seamlessly and make your kitchen appear more contemporary. You can also pick models made of glass which is easy to clean and durable.
Gas hobs have become a popular choice in modern kitchens because of their versatility and ease of use. They can also complement traditional kitchen designs, especially when you incorporate a range cooker into your layout. It is important to keep in mind that they could increase the risk of fire when contrasted with electric or induction stoves. This is due to the fact that they don't have the added safety features like being able to be turned off immediately and also having child-safety locks on the control knobs.
When you are deciding on a gas stove, you should consider the number of cooking zones and burners you need. There are models that have one, two or five cooking zones. Many models also have central wok burners, which is a powerful burner suitable for fast stirring or boiling. It is important to check the type of ignition system used. The majority of gas hobs utilize 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 gaining popularity for their efficiency and speed. These flat glass-topped stoves use magnetism instead of heat to heat the contents of the pan. This makes them more efficient, and safer because there is no flame beneath. Induction hobs are equipped with many features, including some which our Good Housekeeping Institute experts have discovered to be particularly beneficial.
One of these is a bridge function which allows you to join two hob rings to make room for larger pans. You can control the temperature of each ring individually using the touchscreen panel. This is a fantastic alternative for those who love to entertain and can be a lifesaver if there are guests who have different dietary requirements. It is worth noting though that induction hobs aren't suited for those with pacemakers as they generate electromagnetic fields which can disrupt 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, in the event that you wear a pacemaker. The magnetic field created by the hob could interact with other electrical devices and cause malfunction, so you'll want to make sure that your device isn't within reach of the hot plate or in a live cooking zone.
Another induction hob available is this model from CDA, which has five hob zones as well as a variety of functions, such as melt and simmer that 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, as well as overheat settings.
The design of this induction stove is a little more modern than other models available. This is evident in the sleek black surface which will integrate well with a variety of kitchen designs. It comes with a range of features, including a pause feature, which allows you to temporarily shut off the stove without taking the pan off, and a boost function that provides additional power to speed up the heating process. It is also rated energy efficient and its touch-screen includes a variety of preset options for your favorite recipes.
LPG Hobs
Gas hobs are able to attain higher temperatures and provide instant heat control. With options to suit both domestic and professional kitchens, they're an ideal option for those looking to make culinary masterpieces from scratch or heat up leftovers.
Our range of LPG hobs is available in a variety of sizes, from 60cm with 4 burners to 90cm with 5 or 6 burners. Many of these hobs can also be converted to natural gas by using an easy kit. This makes them the ideal solution for homes with mains connections.
All 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 that will complement your home.
When you are choosing a gas stove, there are a variety of features to consider. Some models provide automatic pan detection as a safety feature. This lets the cooking zones be activated only after the necessary cookware is in place to avoid heat loss. Some hobs have combinable cooking zones to accommodate different sizes of pans. Some hobs come with child locks that keep unintentional fingers away from the controls. Some even have an auto switch off feature that turns the hob off if it is not used for a certain period of time.
LPG is also more readily available than electricity in rural areas, where electricity can be difficult to locate. 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.
Our selection of gas stoves has a wide range of options, with a few of our models boasting fast boiling times for water of less than five minutes. They are ideal for preparing pastas, potatoes and other dishes when time is of the essence. Our hobs are equipped with cast iron pan supports that are strong and have an alarm system for flame failure to ensure that the flame is never extinguished.
Contact Us
If you're cooking for your guests or family, the right cooktop can make all the difference. Our kitchen experts will walk you through the four most popular models that will help you identify the cooker hob which is most suitable for your lifestyle and cooking preferences.
Gas hobs are available in a wide range of styles, from 4 to 6. They offer precision and control with excellent precision. There are models that can be converted to LPG which is a more affordable and more secure fuel. Our selection includes all the major brands, and a vast selection of colours and finishes to complement your kitchen design.
The word hob is a traditional English word, originally meaning the term 'a grate or shelf that is placed by a fire'. It's an archaic word that describes how we cooked at home many years ago, with huge fireplaces and separate shelves where pots were set to cook. Nowadays, kitchens are fitted with ovens and a separate stove top (hob) that can be electric or gas-powered.
Some countries refer to the stove as a cooker, but the British call it hob. Hobs are a separate piece of equipment that has heating rings that heat pots as well as a cooker, which is a bigger freestanding unit that includes oven and hob. A range cooker is an oven and hob that are often built into a single unit. More information on the affected gas hobs, including hazard descriptions and product identifiers are available on the Product Safety Report pages linked to above.