A Guide to the Best Hobs in the UK
A hob is an oven that is distinct from the cooker. A cooker is freestanding and includes both a stove and an oven.
Malignant - and possibly mischievous sprites of the countryside, Hobs were often combined with Goblin to give us the Hobgoblin.
Gas Hobs
In any modern kitchen, a quality hob is essential. Whether you prefer ceramic, induction, or gas there's a hob that will fit your style and budget. A quality hob will heat up quickly and evenly to cook your food quickly and also add a sleek finish to your kitchen.
One of the main advantages of a gas stove is its precise temperature control. It is quick to reach high temperatures, making it ideal for cooking meat, boiling water, and stir-frying vegetables. Its ability adjust its heat output quickly makes it ideal for delicate dishes or sauces that require low temperatures.
Gas hobs are also energy efficient. Gas is less expensive than electricity and can be used to power the hob. Furthermore, it makes use of direct flames to heat your kitchen utensils which means there is less wasted energy around the edges of the burners.
Modern gas hobs come with an elegant design that can be matched to any kitchen design. Models with a stainless steel or glossy black finish blend seamlessly into your kitchen and will make it appear more modern. You can also select a model made of glass that is easy-to-clean and highly durable.
Gas hobs are a popular choice in modern kitchens due to their flexibility and simplicity of use. They can also be a great complement to traditional kitchen designs, especially when you include an oven in your layout. However, it's important to remember that they can increase the risk of fire when compared to electric or induction hobs. They don't have safety features, such as being able to switch off instantly and have a child safety locks on the knobs for control.
When best hobs comes to choosing a gas hob, you should consider the number of cooking zones and burners you require. There are 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. Check the type of ignition used. The majority of gas stoves use an electric spark or an ongoing electric pilot flame to ignite the burners.
Induction Hobs
While gas hobs are still a popular choice for home cooks Induction cookers are gaining popularity due to their speed and efficiency. These flat glass-topped hobs use magnetism to heat the contents of the pan rather than heating the surface area, which makes them more efficient and more secure since there isn't a flame under. Induction hobs are equipped with various features, including some which our Good Housekeeping Institute experts have found to be extremely beneficial.
One of them is the bridge function, which allows you to join two hob rings to accommodate larger pans. You can also manage the temperature of each ring independently via the touchscreen panel. This is a great option for those who enjoy entertaining and could be lifesaver if you have guests with different food preferences. It is important to note that induction hobs aren't suitable for people who wear pacemakers since they generate electromagnetic fields which can disrupt their operation.
The British Heart Foundation recommends that you keep a distance of at 60 centimeters between any power source and an active hob especially if you're wearing a pacemaker. The magnetic field generated by the hob may also cause some electrical devices to malfunction. Make sure that the device isn't within reach of hot cookers or hot plate zones.
Another induction hob available is this model from CDA, which has five hob zones and a variety of features, like melt and simmer, which is ideal for bain maries and slow cooked stews. The hb was built with safety in mind. It comes with child locks, anti-overflow, and overheat settings.
The design of this induction stove is a bit more contemporary than other models available. This is evident in the sleek black surface that will blend well with the majority of kitchen designs. It has a range of features, including a pause feature that allows you to turn 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 the touch-screen display is equipped with handy pre-set options for your most loved recipes.
LPG Hobs
Gas hobs can be controlled to instant heat, with the capability to reach higher temperatures than electric cooktops. With options that are suitable for professional and domestic kitchens, they're a popular option for those who want to make culinary masterpieces from scratch, or cook leftovers.
Our selection of LPG hobs is available in a range of sizes, ranging from 60cm with 4 burners to 90cm with 5 or 6 burners. Many of these hobs are also compatible with natural gas with an easy conversion kit which makes them the ideal solution for homes with existing mains connections.
All of our gas hobs are made by brands you trust including Falcon, Imperial and Lincat with models available in a selection of finishes. From stainless steel to black glass, you're sure to find a model that will match your decor and other appliances in your kitchen.
When you are choosing a gas stove, there are many options to take into consideration. Some models provide automatic pan detection as an added security feature. They permit the cooking zones to only turn on when the cookware required is present, preventing heat from being wasted. Some hobs come with a mix of cooking zones which can accommodate different pan sizes. Some also have child locks to keep unintentional fingers from the controls, and some even have a handy auto switch that shuts off the hob if it hasn't been used for a specified amount of time.
LPG is also more accessible than electricity in rural areas, which is difficult to locate. The fact that it's liquid means that it can be easily stored and transported which makes it a popular option for those who live in remote locations or catering businesses that don't have access to gas mains.
Our selection of gas hobs offers a range of options, including some of our models boasting fast boiling times of less than five minutes. This makes them perfect for cooking pasta, potatoes and other favourites in busy catering settings where time is crucial. A majority of our hobs come equipped with flat cast iron pan supports for durability and a flame failure safety feature that ensures that the flame doesn't go out.
Contact Us
If you're cooking for family or guests the right kitchen appliance can make all the difference. Our team of kitchen experts will guide you through the four most popular types and help you choose the cooker hob which is best suited to your lifestyle and cooking preferences.
Gas hobs are extremely precise and control, and come in a range of different styles available that range from 4 to 6 burners. You can find models that can be converted to LPG, which is a less expensive and more secure fuel. Our range includes all major brands, and a vast selection of colours and finishes to complement your kitchen design.
The word hob is an ancient English term, originally meaning the term 'a grate or shelf that is placed by a flame'. It's an archaic term that reflects the way we cooked at home many years ago, with massive fireplaces as well as shelves on which pots were placed to cook. Nowadays, kitchens are fitted with an oven and an additional stove top (hob) that can be electric or gas-powered.
The British often refer to their stove as a hob however other countries might use the term cooker. A hob is an individual appliance that comes with heating rings for saucepans. A cooker is a larger unit that incorporates a hob and an oven. A range cooker is a large combination of a hob and oven, often built into a worktop. More information on the gas hobs that are affected as well as hazard descriptions and product identifiers are available on the Product Safety Report pages linked to above.
