Types of Oven Hob
A hob is an uncooked surface that is placed above your oven to heat your pots and pans. There are several different types of hobs available, including gas, electric and induction.
Look for features like the rotary control, touch or position. These allow you to control the heating zones at the click of a button. They also stop them being knocked over easily particularly by children.
Ceramic Hobs
Ceramic hobs are an excellent choice for modern kitchens, that combine style and function. However, the glossy surface is prone to stains and scratches caused by food residues and cooking burnt-on stains. To keep your hob looking good and working efficiently, you should maintain regular cleaning. Avoid using abrasive cleansers or scrubbing pad.
The hobs of this type are heated by transferring an electrical current through coiled metal components which are hidden beneath the glass surface. These elements produce heat when they are activated by control knobs. Some models use a radiant element that emits heat to the surface of the glass. Some models employ the halogen element, which is more efficient. They are able to heat the entire surface in successions of pulses.

Many ceramic hobs we sell have advanced safety features, such as residual heat indicators that warn you when the surface is still hot to the touch, thereby preventing burns. Some ceramic hobs are equipped with child locks that prevent children from accidentally changing the settings.
click here is crucial to choose the correct cookware for your ceramic hob. This ensures that your pans are flat-bottomed, which promotes uniform heat distribution and helps avoid hot spots that could cause under or overcooked food. Avoid dragging your pans across the surface as this could scratch the glass tempered.
To allow for greater flexibility in cooking, we recommend our ceramic hobs with dual ring design or 'I-Flex' zone that can be used to accommodate two single pots or a large pan (you'll require an oven that is at least 30cm in diameter in order for it to register). There are models that have booster heaters for quick heating in specific pans or zones. This is ideal for searing steak and stir-fry. Certain models come with an automatic shut-off function that turns off the hob at a set time to avoid overheating. This is a great safety feature that will give you peace of assurance. This feature is activated by pressing 'Power on the control panel when the appliance has reached its maximum temperature.
Gas Hobs
A gas hob, sometimes known as gas stove or gas cooker is an appliance for kitchen use that makes use of an flammable natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as the source of fuel. The flame heats both the cookware and the surrounding air. This allows for quick cooking and precise temperature control. Gas hobs are designed to be elevated, which gives extra security by preventing your body from being in contact with the flame. This eliminates the risk of burning. This elevated construction does require particular attention when cleaning or using the hob to avoid spilling liquids onto the burners.
The burners of a traditional gas stove are controlled by hand and lit using a a match. Modern models come with an automatic igniter, which ensures that the gas is lit automatically. The flame can be controlled by the control knobs. This makes it simple to adjust the level of heat. Certain gas hobs have multiple flame burners, dependent on the model. This gives you more cooking flexibility.
Gas hobs require a constant gas supply, which may be an issue when you live in an area with a sporadic or unreliable supply. Additionally, gas hobs require regular maintenance to avoid the risk of leaks and corrosion. Hobs made of gas should only be installed by Gas Safe registered Fitters who can guarantee a safe installation and follow strict safety protocols.
Gas appliances are still popular in certain regions, despite the fact that electric and induction hobs have grown in popularity. This is largely due to consumer preference and environmental concerns, as well as local energy prices and availability. Therefore, it is important to assess the utility costs of your kitchen's infrastructure prior to choosing a kind of hob.
Hobs induction
Induction hobs are a favourite for our customers looking for an elegant and sleek kitchen. They make use of magnetism to heat the pans, not an oven or a plate that is heated or burning gas beneath. Beneath the glass ceramic surface are copper coils which an electric current that is alternating runs through. When an induction-compatible pot or pan is placed on top of the cooker, the coils sense its magnetic base and heat the pan or pot directly. This is much more efficient than traditional gas hobs and more energy efficient too. The glass-ceramic surface is cool and cool to touch and easy to clean.
Like other types of modern hobs, induction hobs are designed to be simpler to keep clean than their gas counterparts. To keep your induction hob as fresh as new, all you need is a damp cloth.
Induction cooking requires that you make use of the correct cookware. All cookware, including cast iron, stainless steel and non-stick are required to have a magnetized base. 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 variety of induction hobs is available, from budget models to premium brands with a full TFT display and comprehensive operating menu. The hob will show the pan's location on a full-color display when it is in a power zone. A control button or slider lets you to change the power setting or set a timer. There are a variety of clever accessories, including pan sensors that attach to the sides of cookware, allowing them to communicate with the oven using bluetooth to control the power.
One of our most adored models is an induction cooker which comes with an integrated extractor fan to reduce the smoke, steam and cooking smells. This model is perfect for homes with a limited space as it eliminates the need for an extractor fan. Like other induction hobs it uses magnetic fields that operate within the kilohertz range to generate the heat that affects your pan and its contents. In normal operation the magnetic fields are within the range of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection's reference values for the magnetic density at the frequency at which it operates. No health effects should be 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 come with a range of options to meet your cooking needs. They are mostly made of glass that is easy to clean, and can look elegant if you opt for a white or black design. Some have the ability to bridge two zones to accommodate larger pans, while others come with an energy boost button to provide extra heat when you're performing a task that is particularly difficult.
Induction hobs are growing in popularity due to their contemporary and sleek design that is in keeping with modern kitchen designs. They cook quickly and offer a high degree of safety. For instance they tend to cool down faster than gas cookers and come with a "hot" indicator light that stays on to warn you when the cooking zone is hot to the touch. They are also more efficient because the magnetic field only generates heat within the pan itself so you're not heating the surrounding air.
However, there are some things to keep in mind when choosing an induction cooker that will require a particular power supply configured 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 benefit the most from them. They are more expensive because they require more energy.
Why not take a look at our wide range of kitchen appliances if you're thinking of building a new kitchen, or replacing your old hob? We can assist you in choosing the right oven hob for your cooking style and preferences. Our experts are available to answer any questions you have and discuss the options with you. We provide an nationwide service and will install your new appliance if you'd like.