A Guide to the Best Hobs in the UK
A hob is a cook top that can be incorporated into the worktop, and is separated from an oven. A cooker is a separate appliance that has an oven and a stove.
The mischievous and perhaps malignant sprites of the countryside, Hobs were often combined with Goblin to create the Hobgoblin.
Gas Hobs
A well-built hob is essential in any modern kitchen. No matter if you prefer ceramic, induction, or gas there's a model to suit your taste and budget. A good hob will cook quickly and evenly which allows you to cook food in a flash. It also adds sleekness to the kitchen.
The precise temperature control is among its main advantages. It is quick to reach high temperatures, which is ideal for boiling water, searing meat and stir-frying vegetables. The ability to adjust the temperature quickly is ideal for delicate dishes or sauces that require the use of a lower temperature setting.
Gas hobs are also energy efficient. It uses natural gas, which is generally less expensive than electricity, making it cheaper to operate a hob. It also uses direct flames to heat your utensils. This means that there is less energy wasted around burner edges.
Modern gas hobs are designed with a sleek appearance to complement any kitchen decor. You can choose models with a shiny black or stainless steel finishes that blend in seamlessly and make your kitchen look more contemporary. You can also pick a glass ceramic model that is easy to clean and highly durable.
Gas hobs are the most popular choice in modern kitchens because of their flexibility and ease of use. best ovens and hobs can also complement traditional kitchen designs, particularly when you include an oven in your kitchen layout. It is important to note that they can increase the risk of fire when compared with electric or induction hobs. This is due to the fact that they don't have the added safety features of being able to be turned off immediately and also having child safety locks on the knobs that control the hob.
When selecting a gas stove, you should consider the number of cooking zones and burners you require. There are models with one, two or five cooking zones. A majority of models feature a central wok that is a powerful burner that can be used for rapid boiling or stir-frying. Make sure you know the type of ignition that is used. The majority of gas hobs utilize an electric spark or an ongoing electric pilot flame to ignite the burners.
Induction Hobs
While gas hobs remain a popular choice for home cooks, induction cookers are gaining popularity due to 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 also safer as there is no flame beneath. Induction hobs are equipped with a range of features, some of which our Good Housekeeping Institute experts have found can be particularly beneficial.
One of these is a bridge function that lets you join two hob rings to accommodate larger pans. You can set the temperature of each ring individually using the touchscreen panel. This is a great choice for those who enjoy entertaining and can be a lifesaver in the event that you have guests with different dietary requirements. It is worth noting though that induction cooktops aren't suitable for people who wear pacemakers since they create electromagnetic fields that can interfere with their operation.
The British Heart Foundation recommends that you maintain a distance of at 60 centimeters between any power source and an active hob, in the event that you wear pacemakers. The magnetic field created by the hob may also cause electrical devices to malfunction. Make sure best hobs isn't in the vicinity of hot plates or cooking zones.
Another induction hob we have available is this model from CDA with five hob zones and a variety of functions, including melt and simmer, which can be ideal for bain maries or slow-cooked stews. This hb is also designed with safety in mind. It has child locks, anti-overflow and overheat settings.
The design of this induction stove is more modern than some others we have available. This is evident in the sleek black finish that will blend well with the majority of kitchen designs. It has a range of features, including a pause feature that lets you temporarily shut off the oven without removing your pan, and a boost function that provides additional power for quick heat-up. It is also rated as energy efficient and the touch-screen display includes a variety of pre-set options for your most loved recipes.
LPG Hobs
Gas hobs can attain higher temperatures and provide instant control of the heat. Gas hobs are popular for both commercial and residential kitchens. They are used to heat leftovers or cook up culinary masterpieces.
Our selection of LPG hobs are available in a range 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 an easy kit. This makes them the perfect solution for homes that already have mains connections.
All our gas hobs are manufactured by brands you trust like Falcon, Imperial and Lincat with models that are available in a selection of finishes. From stainless steel to black glass, you're certain to find a model to fit your style and complement other appliances in your kitchen.
There are a variety of options to consider when selecting a gas hob, with some models offering automatic pan detection to provide security. They permit the cooking zones to only activate when the cookware needed is present, preventing the heat from being wasted. Some hobs also have adjustable cooking zones that can accommodate a variety of pan sizes. Others offer child locks that keep unintentional fingers away from the controls. some come with an auto switch off tool that turns off the hob if it's not used for a certain amount of time.
LPG is also more readily available than electricity in rural areas, which can be difficult to locate. The liquid form of LPG makes it easy to store and transport, making it an ideal choice for people who reside in remote areas or have catering businesses that aren't connected to mains-gas.
Our selection of gas hobs provides a variety of options, with a few of our models boasting fast boiling times for water of less than five minutes. They are perfect for making pastas, potatoes, and other favourites when time is of the essence. Our hobs are equipped with cast iron pan supports that are durable and have an alarm system for flame failure to ensure the flame is never extinguished.
Contact Us
When you cook for guests or family the right kitchen appliance will make all the difference. Our kitchen experts will walk you through the four most popular types that will help you identify the cooker hob that is best suited to your cooking style and lifestyle.
Gas hobs are available in a wide range of styles, ranging from 4 to 6. They provide precision and control with excellent accuracy. You can find models that can be converted to LPG which is a more affordable and more secure fuel. Our selection includes all the major brands, with a wide choice of finishes and colours to match your kitchen's style.
The word hob is an ancient English term, originally meaning "a grate or shelf by a flame'. It's a term from the past that describes how we used to cook at home in the past with large fireplaces, and shelves for pots. Today, the majority of kitchens have an oven, as well as an additional hob (stove top) that can be gas or electric.
Other countries might refer to the stove as a cooker, but the British call it hob. Hobs are an independent appliance that comes with heating rings for saucepans. A cooker is a bigger unit that combines a hob with an oven. A range cooker is a combination of a hob and oven, usually built into the worktop. More information about the gas hobs that are affected as well as hazard descriptions and product identifiers can be found on the Product Safety Report pages linked to above.