If you love cooking delicious fresh dishes, then a good quality hob is a must for your kitchen. With a lot of choice available from different fuel types, sizes and settings, getting the right fit for your kitchen isn’t always easy. Our handy guide will run you through all the great options out there, to help make your decision a little easier.
Things To Consider
When choosing your new hob there's a few things you should consider. From fuel type, number of hobs or zones and those all important health and safety requirements.
Which Fuel Type Should I Get?
Picking the right hob for your kitchen will depend on how you like to cook. Do you want instant heat and precise control, or would you prefer convenience and ease of use? We’ve broken down each fuel type further, so you can make the right choice.
Types Of Hobs
Gas
Traditional, powerful and still the most popular type of hob, gas power gives you instant heat and ultimate control over your dishes. So, you can boss those stir-fries and spice up those curries. They’re a little trickier to clean than the other types due to all the different bits, and you’ll need a mains gas supply to install one. But, if you love to cook, then a gas hob is an ideal choice.
Induction
Smart, stylish and powerful, induction hobs are becoming the go-to choice for modern kitchens. But they’re not just lookers, these electric powered hobs pack a punch too. They use electromagnets to heat up the base of your pan, meaning they’re much quicker than other models. Plus, they’re super easy to clean. One thing worth noting, you’ll need pans that have a magnetic base, such as cast-iron pans and some stainless-steel sets.
Ceramic
Ceramic hobs are the perfect choice if you want style and convenience. Their modern ceramic finish means they fit beautifully on top of your kitchen or island counter. And, because they’re powered by electric, they’re a breeze to use and super easy to clean. It’s worth bearing in mind that they can take a little longer to heat up, but once you’re up and running, your taste buds won’t be disappointed.
Key Features
Special Burners
You’ll find a lot of great hobs come with speciality burners or zones, such as the powerful wok burner. This type of burner delivers an intense ring of heat to make those sizzling stir-fries burst with flavour. Look out for hobs with pan supports, usually made from sturdy cast iron, they’ll keep those large crock pots safe and secure while that winter casserole bubbles away.
PowerBoost
This is a really handy cooking feature that you can find on a range of induction and ceramic hobs. Much like the name suggests, this feature is all about fast, powerful heating. PowerBoost will give you instant heat, so you can get cooking straight away with no time wasted.
Venting hobs
A venting hob is an induction or ceramic hob with a built-in extractor fan in the centre. This type of hob is perfect if you’re thinking about placing it on a kitchen island as you won’t need an extractor hood over the top. It’s handy to know that because of the built-in extractor fan, you can’t install a venting hob above an oven, as you’ll need space below the counter for all the bits and pieces to go.
Glass topped gas hobs
Do you want the instant heat and precise control of a gas hob, but also want the style and convenience of a ceramic hob? A glass topped gas hob might be for you. They’re modern, stylish and have an easy to clean glass surface. Plus, with the power of gas, they don’t just look great, they’ll cook your food to perfection too.
Easy clean
Both ceramic and induction hobs are incredibly easy to clean thanks to their shiny, smooth surfaces. The glass surface cools down quick after each use, making it easy to wipe any spillages away. And best of all they look sleek and stylish. So, not only will you have delicious food, but your hob will always look the part.
Safety features
As you can imagine, hobs get hot, hot, hot! But thankfully a lot of hobs come with safety features that’ll keep you and the family safe. Most modern gas hobs will come with a flame failure safety device which will instantly cut off the gas supply if the flames cut out. And, because most induction and ceramic hobs use a touch interface, you’ll most likely find a lock feature which keeps your cooking settings locked in, so your little ones can’t accidentally mess with them.
FAQ
Do I measure the cavity or hob?
If you’re replacing a like for like hob then there’s not usually an issue. However, if you’re replacing your kitchen or worktop, check out the dimensions of the product you’re looking at, you’ll find these on our product page. It’s handy to note that the cut-out needed is always smaller than the actual hob, but we’d recommend contacting the manufacturer for the precise measurements.
Does a gas hob need an electric supply?
Yes, a gas hob will still need a source of electricity in order to ignite the flames.
Can I switch fuel types?
You can switch the fuel type of your hob so long as you have mains access to the fuel type you want to switch to.
Which cooks faster – gas or induction?
Both hob types are known for their power, precision and very fast cooking. But the technology within induction hobs mean that they come out on top in this race.
Is my electric hob hardwired?
The majority of all electric hobs will need to be hardwired. However, some induction hobs can actually just be plugged in.
What pans do I need with an induction hob?
You’ll need to use induction friendly cookware made from metals such as stainless steel and cast iron on your induction hob for the very best results. Look out for pans that mention ‘induction’ on them or keep an eye for the coiled symbol.
Can I still get an induction hob if I have a pacemaker?
If you have a pacemaker, we always recommend that you check with your doctor before using an induction hob, as the electromagnets in induction hobs can interfere with medical devices. All manufacturers will also advise to check with your doctor before making a purchase.
How do I simmer on an induction hob?
For a nice low simmer to finish off that curry, just set it to level 2. For a more intense simmer, cranking it up to level 5 or 6 should do the job.
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