A Guide to the Best Hobs in the UK
A hob is an oven that is separate from the cooker. A cooker is a freestanding unit that includes both a stove and an oven.
Hobs are sly and occasionally malignant creatures that reside in the countryside. They were often mixed with Goblins to create the Hobgoblin.
Gas Hobs
A well-built hob is essential in modern kitchens. There's a suitable hob for every budget and style, whether you prefer ceramic or induction, or gas. A good hob will heat quickly and evenly to cook your food quickly and adds a sleek finish to your kitchen.
One of the key benefits of a gas hob is the precise temperature control. It's quick to reach high heat levels, which is ideal for boiling water, searing meat, and stir-frying vegetables. Its ability adjust heat output quickly is ideal for delicate dishes or sauces that require a lower temperature setting.
Another benefit of a gas stove is its energy efficiency. Gas is less expensive than electricity and can be used to power the hob. Furthermore, it uses direct flames to heat your kitchen utensils which means there is less energy wasted around the edges of the burners.
Modern gas hobs feature a sleek design to match any kitchen decor. There are 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 model that is easy to clean and is highly durable.
Gas hobs are a common choice for modern kitchens because of their versatility and user-friendly. They can also complement traditional kitchen designs, particularly when you incorporate a range cooker into your kitchen layout. However, it's important to keep in mind that they can increase the risk of fire when compared with electric or induction hobs. This is because they don't come with the additional safety features of being able to shut off immediately and also having child safety locks on the knobs that control the hob.
When choosing a gas stove, you should consider the number of burners and cooking zones you need. You can find models with one or two cooking zones. Many models also come with central wok burners which is a powerful burner that is suitable for rapid stirring or boiling. It is important to check the type of ignition system you are using. Most gas hobs use an electric spark or a continuous electric pilot flame to light the burners.
Induction Hobs
Induction cookers have gained a lot of popularity due to their speed and efficiency. Gas hobs are an option for home cooks. These flat glass-topped stoves rely on magnetism instead of heat to heat the pan contents. This makes them more efficient, and safer because there is no flame beneath. Induction hobs have a variety of features. Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts found that some of these features can be very useful.
One of them is the bridge function which lets you join two hob rings in order to accommodate larger pans. You can control the temperature for each ring on the touchscreen panel. This is a fantastic option for those who like to entertain and can be a lifesaver if there are guests who have different dietary needs. Induction hobs are dangerous for people with pacemakers because they generate electromagnetic fields that could interfere with the operation of their devices.
The British Heart Foundation recommends a minimum distance of 60cm between a power source and any active hob, if you are wearing a pacemaker. The magnetic field produced by the hob could interact with electronic devices and cause malfunction, so you'll want to make sure that the device isn't in the vicinity of the hot plate or in a live cooking area.
Another induction hob available is this model from CDA, which has five hob zones and various functions, including melt and simmer which is ideal for bain maries and slow-cooked stews. This hb has also been designed with safety in mind, so it comes with child locks as well as overheat and anti-overflow settings to protect against damage or accidents.
The design of this induction cooker is more modern than some others we have available. This is evident by the sleek black finish that blends well with all kitchen styles. It comes with a range of features that include a pause feature that lets you temporarily turn off the hob without taking the pan off as well as a boost feature that provides additional power for quick heat-up. It's also energy efficient and the touch-screen display has some handy pre-set recipes to help you choose your favourite recipes.
LPG Hobs
Gas hobs can be controlled to instant heat, with the capability of reaching higher temperatures than electric cooktops. With options to suit both professional and ovensandhobs domestic kitchens, they're an ideal option for those looking to make culinary masterpieces from scratch, or heat up leftovers.
Our selection of LPG gas hobs includes a wide variety of sizes ranging from 60cm, which includes 4 burners up to 90cm consisting of 5 or 6 burners. A large portion of these hobs could also be converted to natural gas by using a simple kit. This makes them the perfect solution for homes that already have mains connections.
All of our gas hobs are from reputable brands like Falcon, Imperial, and Lincat. They are available in a variety of designs and finishes. From stainless steel to black glass, you're bound to find a model that will fit your style and complement other appliances in your kitchen.
There are plenty of features to consider when choosing a gas hob, with some models that offer automatic pan detection for added security. This lets the cooking zones start only when the appropriate cookware is placed to avoid heat loss. Some hobs come with a mix of cooking zones which can accommodate different sizes of pans. Some also have child locks that keep unintentional fingers from the controls. some come with an auto switch off tool that turns off the hob if it hasn't been utilized for a specific amount of time.
Another great thing about LPG is that it's more widely available than electricity, which is typically difficult to locate in rural areas. Being a liquid means it can be stored easily and transported which makes it a popular option for those living in remote areas or catering establishments that don't have access to gas lines for mains supply.
Gas hobs are available in a variety of models, and some have boiling times as low as five minutes. They are perfect for cooking pastas, potatoes, and other dishes when time is at a premium. A majority of our hobs are equipped with flat cast iron pan supports to ensure durability as well as a flame failure safety device that ensures the flame will never go out.
Contact Us
If you're cooking for family or guests, the right hob can make all the difference. Our experts will guide you though the four most popular types and help you select the cooker hob most suitable for you, your lifestyle and cooking habits.
Gas hobs are available in a variety of styles, ranging from 4 to 6. They offer accuracy and control with high precision. There are models that can be converted to LPG, which is a cheaper and more secure fuel. Our selection includes all the major brands in a range of colours and finishes that will match your kitchen's style.
The word hob comes from an old English phrase that was originally used to mean "a shelf, grate or fireside'. It's an old-fashioned term that describes how we used to cook at home in previous decades with large fireplaces, and shelves for pots. Nowadays, kitchens are fitted with an oven as well as an additional stove top (hob) that can be either electric or gas.
Other countries might refer to the stove as a cooker, however the British refer to it as hob. A hob is an independent appliance that comes with heating rings for saucepans. A cooker is a larger unit that includes a hob and an oven. A range cooker is a combination of a hob and oven, often built into an worktop. On the Product Safety Report links above you will find more information about the affected gas stoves. This includes safety descriptions and the product identifiers.