A Guide to the Best Hobs in the UK
A hob is a cooker top that is affixed to an oven worktop. It is also separate from an oven. A cooker is freestanding and includes both a stove and an oven.
The mischievous and perhaps malignant - sprites of the countryside, Hobs were often combined with Goblin to create the Hobgoblin.
Gas Hobs
In any modern kitchen, a good hob is a must. No matter if you prefer ceramic, induction, or gas there's a hob to suit your taste and budget. A quality hob will heat up quickly and evenly to cook your food quickly and adds a sleek finish to your kitchen.
The precise temperature control is among its key benefits. It is quick to reach temperatures that are high making it ideal for searing meat, boiling water, and stirring-frying vegetables. Its ability to alter heat output quickly is also beneficial for delicate dishes and sauces which require a lower temperature setting.
Another advantage of a gas stove is its energy efficiency. It makes use of natural gas, which is usually cheaper than electricity, which makes it less expensive to operate a hob. It also uses direct flames to heat your kitchen utensils. This means that there is less energy wasted around the burner edges.
Modern gas hobs have an elegant design that can be matched to any kitchen design. Models with a stainless steel or glossy black finish blend seamlessly into your kitchen and will make it appear more modern. You can also pick glass ceramic that is easy to clean and extremely durable.
Gas hobs are a popular choice 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's important to remember that they can increase fire risk when contrasted with electric or induction stoves. This is because they lack the added safety features of being able to be turned off immediately and also having child-safety locks on the control knobs.
When you are deciding on gas hobs it is important to take into consideration the number of cooking zones and burners you need. You can pick models that have 1,2 or five cooking zones. A majority of models feature central woks, which is an extremely powerful burner that can be used for rapid boiling and stir-frying. You should also check the kind of ignition system that is used. The majority of gas stoves use an electric spark or an ongoing electric pilot flame to ignite the burners.
Induction Hobs
While gas hobs are still a popular choice for home cooks, induction cookers are gaining popularity for their speed and efficiency. These flat glass-topped hobs utilize 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 underneath. Induction hobs come with a range of features. Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts found that some of these features can be very useful.
One of these is a bridge function, which allows you to join two hob rings together to accommodate larger pans. You can also regulate the temperature of each ring individually by using the touchscreen panel. This is a fantastic option for those who like to entertain and is an essential feature if there are guests who have different dietary needs. It is worth noting though that induction hobs aren't suitable for those who have pacemakers because they create electromagnetic fields that can interfere with their operation.
The British Heart Foundation recommends a minimum distance of 60cm between a source of power and any active hob if you are wearing a pacemaker. The magnetic field generated by the hob can also interact with some electronic devices and cause malfunction, so you must ensure that your device isn't within reach of the hot plate or in a live cooking zone.
This model is from CDA is another induction hob that we have available. It has five zones as well as various functions, such as melt and simmer, which are perfect for bain-maries or slow-cooked stews. The hb was made with security in mind, which is why it has child locks as well as overheat and anti-overflow settings that ensure that there are no accidents or damages.
This induction cooker has an elegant design compared to others. This is reflected by the sleek black surface that will blend perfectly with the majority of kitchen designs. It has a range of options such as a pause feature that lets you switch off the stove without taking off the pan and the boost feature that gives additional power to speed up heat-up. It's also energy efficient, and the touch-screen display includes a variety of recipes that are pre-set for your favourites.
LPG Hobs
Gas hobs can reach higher temperatures and offer instant control of heat. With options to suit both domestic and professional kitchens, they're a preferred option for those looking to create culinary masterpieces from scratch or heat leftovers.
Our range of LPG hobs is available in a range of sizes, ranging from 60cm with four burners up to 90cm with either 5 or 6 burners. Many of these hobs can also be converted to natural gas with a simple kit. This makes them the perfect solution for homes that already have mains connections.
All of our gas hobs come from reputable brands like Falcon, Imperial, and Lincat. They come in various designs and finishes. From stainless steel to black glass, you're certain to find a model to fit your style and complement the other kitchen appliances.
There are many features to consider when choosing gas hobs, including some models offering automatic pan detection to provide security. This allows the cooking zones to be activated only after the necessary cookware has been placed and prevents heat loss. Some hobs have adjustable cooking zones that can accommodate different sizes of pans. Some hobs have child locks that keep unintentional fingers from the controls. Some even have an auto switch off feature that turns the stove off if it is not used for a certain duration of time.
Another advantage of LPG is that it's more accessible than electricity, which is often harder to find in rural areas. Being liquid means that it can be stored easily and transported, making it a popular option for those living in remote areas or catering establishments that don't have access to mains gas.
Gas hobs come in a variety of models, and some have water boiling times as short as five minutes. They are perfect for making pastas, potatoes, and other favourites when time is of the essence. A majority of our hobs come equipped with flat cast iron pan supports to ensure durability and a flame failure safety device that guarantees the flame never extinguishes.
Contact Us
The best hob can make all the difference when cooking for your family or with friends. Our team of kitchen experts will walk you through the four most popular types and help you choose the cooker hob that is best suited to your lifestyle and cooking preferences.
Gas hobs provide excellent precision and control, with a variety of styles to choose from that range from 4 to 6 burners. You can also find models that can be converted to LPG which is a more secure and more affordable fuel. Our range includes all major brands in a range of finishes and colours that match your kitchen style.
The word hob originates from an old English phrase that was originally used to mean 'a shelf, grate or fireside'. It's a term from the past that explains how we used to cook at home in the past, with large fireplaces and separate shelves for pots. Today, most kitchens have an oven, as well as a separate hob (stove top) that can be gas or electric.
Some countries refer to the stove as a cooker, but the British call it hob. A hob is a distinct piece of equipment that has heating rings that heat pots and cookware, while a cooker is a bigger freestanding unit comprising both a hob and an oven. A range cooker is a combination of oven and hob that are typically incorporated into one unit. More information about the gas hobs affected by this issue along with hazard descriptions as well as the product's identifiers can be found on the Product Safety Report pages linked to above.