A Guide to the Best Hobs in the UK
A hob is an oven that is separate from a cooker. A cooker is a freestanding unit that includes both a stove and an oven.
Hobs are sly and sometimes malignant sprites that live in the countryside. They were often paired with Goblins to create the Hobgoblin.
Gas Hobs
In any modern kitchen, a quality hob is a must. There's a hob to suit any budget and style, whether you're a fan of ceramic or induction, or gas. A quality hob will heat quickly and evenly and allow you to cook food in a flash. It also gives an elegant look to your kitchen.
One of the major advantages of a gas hob is the precise temperature control. It is quick to reach temperatures that are high which makes it ideal for searing meat, boiling water, and stir-frying vegetables. Its ability to adjust temperature quickly makes it ideal for delicate sauces or dishes that require low temperatures.
Another benefit of a gas stove is its energy efficiency. Gas is less expensive than electricity and can be used to power hobs. Furthermore, it uses a direct flame to heat the utensils, this means there is less energy wasted around the edges of the burners.
Modern gas hobs are designed with a sleek appearance to fit in with any kitchen decor. Models with a stainless steel or glossy black finishes will blend seamlessly into your kitchen and make it look more contemporary. If you prefer, you can pick glass ceramic that is easy to clean and is extremely durable.
Gas hobs are the most popular choice in modern kitchens due to their flexibility and ease of use. They can also be a great complement to traditional kitchen designs, particularly when you include a range cooker in your kitchen layout. It is important to be aware that they can increase fire risk when as compared to induction or electric stoves. They lack the safety features such as being able to shut off instantly and having child-safety lock on the knobs for control.
When selecting a gas stove, be aware of the number of burners and cooking zones you need. You can find models with one, two or five cooking zones. Many models come with central woks, which is an extremely powerful burner that can be used for rapid boiling or stir-frying. Make sure you know the type of ignition used. Most gas hobs use an electric spark or a continuous electric pilot flame to ignite the burners.
Hobs Induction
While gas hobs remain popular with home cooks, induction cookers are gaining popularity for their speed and efficiency. These flat glass-topped cookers employ magnetism to heat the contents of a pan, rather than heating the surface area, which makes them more efficient and also safer as there is no flame under. Induction hobs have a variety of features. Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts found that some of these features are extremely useful.
One of them is a bridge function which lets you join two hob rings to make room for larger pans. You can set the temperature of each ring separately via the touchscreen panel. This is a good option for those who enjoy entertaining and could be a lifesaver in the event that you have guests who have different dietary requirements. Induction hobs are dangerous for people with pacemakers because they generate electromagnetic fields that can interfere with the operation of their devices.
The British Heart Foundation recommends a minimum of 60cm distance between a source of power and any active hob, if you have a pacemaker fitted. The magnetic field generated by the hob could interact with electrical devices, causing them to malfunction, so you should ensure that the device isn't within reach of an oven or a live cooking zone.
This model is from CDA is another induction hob that we have available. It features five zones and a variety of functions, such as melt and simmer, which are perfect for slow-cooked stews or bain-maries. The hb was made with security in mind, which is why it has child locks and anti-overflow and overheat settings to prevent accidents or damage.
This induction hob has an aesthetic that is more contemporary than other models. This is reflected by the sleek black surface that will blend well with all kitchen styles. It is equipped with a variety of features, including a pause feature that lets you shut off the stove without taking off the pan, and a boost feature which gives additional power to speed up heating up. It is also rated energy efficient, and its touch-screen panel includes a variety of pre-set options for your favourite recipes.
LPG Hobs
Gas hobs provide a controlled instant heat, with the ability to reach far higher temperatures than electric cooktops. Gas hobs are a favorite in both domestic and commercial kitchens. They can be used to heat leftovers or create culinary masterpieces.
Our selection of LPG gas hobs includes an array of sizes ranging from 60cm, which includes 4 burners up to 90cm consisting of 5 or 6 burners. A lot of these hobs are also compatible with natural gas using a an easy conversion kit making them the ideal solution for homes that have existing mains connections.
All our gas hobs are made by brands you trust like Falcon, Imperial and Lincat with models available in a selection of finishes. From stainless steel to black glass, you're bound to find a model that will match your decor and other appliances in your kitchen.
When choosing a gas stove, there are plenty of options to take into consideration. Certain models have automatic pan detection as an additional safety feature. They allow the cooking zones to only turn on when the cookware needed is present, preventing the heat from being wasted. Some hobs also feature combinable cooking zones to accommodate various sizes of pans. Others offer child locks to keep unintentional fingers away from the controls. some come with an auto switch that shuts off the cooker when it's not used for a specified period of time.
LPG is also more accessible than electricity in rural areas, where electricity can be difficult to locate. Its liquid form makes it easy to store and transport, making it ideal for those who live in remote areas or have catering businesses without access to mains-gas.
Our range of gas hobs offers a range of options, including some of our models boasting fast water boiling times of under five minutes. They are perfect for making pastas, potatoes and other favourites 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 feature that ensures that the flame never extinguishes.
Contact Us
Whether you're cooking for your guests or family, the right hob will make all the difference. Our experts will walk you through the four most common kinds and help you choose the cooker hob most suitable for you, your lifestyle and cooking habits.
Gas hobs provide excellent precision and control, and come in a range of styles available that range from 4 to 6 burners. You can find models that can be converted to LPG which is a cheaper and safer fuel. Our range includes all the major brands in a variety of finishes and colours that can be matched to your kitchen's style.
The word hob is an old English phrase that originally referred to "a shelf, grate, or fireside'. It's an archaic term that refers to the way we cooked in our homes years ago, with huge fireplaces as well as shelves on which pots were placed to cook. Today, kitchens are equipped with an oven and a separate stove top (hob) that can be either electric or gas-powered.
The British often refer to their stove as a hob although other countries may use the term cooker. Hobs are a separate appliance that uses heating rings that heat saucepans and cookware, while a cooker is a larger freestanding unit that consists of oven and hob. A range cooker is an oven and hob that are often built into one large unit. More information about the gas hobs affected by this issue along with hazard descriptions as well as product identifiers are available on the Product Safety Report pages linked to above.