A Guide to the Best Hobs in the UK
A hob is an oven that is distinct from the cooker. A cooker is a separate appliance that has an oven and a stove.
Hobs are playful and sometimes malignant sprites that live in the countryside. They were often combined with Goblins to create the Hobgoblin.
Gas Hobs
A quality hob is a must in modern kitchens. There's a range of hobs to fit every budget and style, whether you prefer ceramic or induction, or gas. A high-quality hob will heat up quickly and evenly to cook your food in a flash and also add an elegant appearance to your kitchen.
One of the major advantages of a gas hob is the precise temperature control. It is quick to reach high heat levels which is ideal for boiling water, searing meat, and stirring-frying vegetables. The ability to adjust the temperature quickly makes it ideal for delicate sauces or dishes that require the use of a lower temperature setting.
Gas hobs are also energy efficient. It uses natural gas, which is generally cheaper than electricity, making it less expensive to run a hob. It also makes use of direct flames for heating your kitchen utensils. This means that there is less energy lost around the burner edges.
Modern gas hobs come with an elegant design that can be matched to any kitchen design. There are models with a shiny black or stainless steel finish that will blend seamlessly into the decor and make your kitchen appear more contemporary. You can also pick a model made of glass that is easy to clean and extremely durable.
Gas hobs are the most popular choice in modern kitchens due to their versatility and ease of use. They can also complement traditional kitchen designs, especially when you incorporate a range cooker into your layout. However, it's important to keep in mind that they could increase the risk of fire when compared to electric or induction hobs. They lack the safety features, such as being able to shut off immediately and having a child-safety locks on the knobs for control.
When choosing gas hobs, you should take into consideration the number of cooking zones and burners you require. There are models with one, two or five cooking zones. Many models also have central wok burners which is a high-powered burner that can be used for rapid stirring-frying or boiling. Make sure you know the type of ignition used. Most gas hobs light the burners using an electric spark or a constant electric pilot flame.
Hobs Induction
While gas hobs remain an option for home cooks Induction cookers are growing in popularity for their efficiency and speed. These flat glass-topped stoves rely on magnetism instead of heat to heat the contents of the pan. This makes them more efficient, and safer because there is no flame under. Induction hobs come with a range of features. Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts found that some of these features are extremely useful.
One of them is a bridge function that allows you to join two hob rings to accommodate larger pans. You can control the temperature for each ring on the touchscreen panel. This is a great choice for those who love entertaining and could be a lifesaver in the event that you have guests who have different dietary requirements. It is worth noting though that induction hobs aren't suited for those who have pacemakers because they generate electromagnetic fields which 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're wearing a pacemaker. The magnetic field generated by the hob could interact with some electrical devices, causing malfunction, so you should ensure that the device isn't within reach of the hot plate or in a live cooking zone.
Another induction hob available is this model from CDA with five hob zones and a variety of functions, such as melt and simmer, which can be perfect for bain maries and slow-cooked stews. This hob was made with safety in mind, so it has child locks and overheat and anti-overflow settings that protect against damage or accidents.
This induction cooker has an elegant design compared to other models. This is reflected in the sleek black finish that will blend well with the majority of kitchen designs. It has a range of features including a pause function that lets you temporarily shut off the oven without removing your pan, and a boost function that provides additional power to ensure quick heating up. It is also rated energy efficient and its touch-screen comes with some handy pre-set options for your favourite recipes.
LPG Hobs
Gas hobs can be controlled to heating instantly, and the capability to reach higher temperatures than electric cooktops. With options that can be used in domestic and professional kitchens, they're a popular choice for people who want to make culinary masterpieces from scratch, or heat up leftovers.
Our range of LPG hobs comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 60cm with four burners up to 90cm with either 5 or 6 burners. A large portion of these hobs could also be converted to natural gas using a simple kit. This makes them the ideal solution for homes with mains connections.
All of our gas stoves are made by brands you trust like Falcon, Imperial and Lincat with models available in a selection of finishes. There are models available made of stainless steel, black glass, and other finishes that will complement your home.
There are a variety of features to consider when choosing gas hobs, including some models that offer automatic pan detection for greater safety. This allows the cooking zones to start only when the appropriate cookware is in place, preventing heat waste. Some hobs also have adjustable cooking zones that can accommodate a variety of pan sizes. Some offer child locks, keeping unintended fingers away from the controls. some have an auto switch that shuts off the hob if it's not utilized for a specific amount of time.
Another advantage of LPG is that it's far more widely available than electricity, which is usually harder to find in rural areas. Being a liquid means it can be easily stored and transported which makes it a popular choice for those living in remote locations or catering establishments that don't have access to gas mains.
Gas hobs come in a variety of models, some of which have water boiling times as low as five minutes. They are perfect for making pastas, potatoes, and other meals when time is of the essence. Many of our hobs are also equipped with flat cast iron pan supports for durability, as well as a flame-failure safety device that guarantees the flame never extinguishes.
Contact Us
When you cook for family or guests, the right cooktop can make a huge difference. Our team of kitchen experts will guide you through the four most popular models that will help you identify the cooker hob which is best suited to your lifestyle and cooking preferences.
Gas hobs offer excellent precision and control, and come in a range of styles to choose from with 4 to 6 burners. There are models that can be converted to LPG which is a cheaper and more secure fuel. Our range includes all the top brands, with a broad selection of colours and finishes to match your kitchen style.
The word hob is a traditional English word, originally meaning the term 'a grate or shelf that is placed by a flame'. It's an archaic word that describes how we cooked in our homes years ago, with massive fireplaces and separate shelves where pots were set to cook. Nowadays, kitchens are equipped with an oven as well as an additional hob (stove top) that is either electric or gas.
The British frequently refer to their stove as a hob but other countries might use the term cooker. A hob is an individual piece of equipment that has heating rings for saucepans. A cooker is a larger appliance that includes a hob and an oven. A range cooker is an oven and a hob that are typically incorporated into one large unit. More information about the affected gas hobs, including hazard descriptions and product identifiers are available on the Product Safety Report pages linked to above.