A Guide to Hobs in the UK

A hob is a kitchen appliance that fits inside the cutout of a worktop. It can be gas or electric and may have up to six cooking rings or zones. It has a modern design and is easy to clean.

Smart hobs that offer customization and are compatible with home automation systems are attractive to consumers. They also want to reduce energy consumption and improve hygiene.

Induction hobs

Streamlined and efficient, induction hobs are among the most popular choices for modern kitchens. In contrast to electric and gas models, which rely on heating plates to warm cookware, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic technology to directly heat the pan itself. Underneath the glass ceramic surface are coils that an alternating current flows through. When a compatible pan is placed in the cooking area, the coils automatically create an electric field that interacts with the metal within the pan, causing electrical currents and creating heat. This process makes induction hobs more efficient in energy use and easier to clean than traditional hob types.

Induction hobs also feature a more user-friendly design. A TFT-enabled display at the top of the cooker can be used to control the hob with an easy-to-read display of what cookware is in use and the power setting being selected. The control panel can be locked to prevent accidental use of buttons. Many induction hobs have a boost feature that can increase the power of the cooking zone for a short time. This is useful to quickly bring a pot of boiling water to a boil or heating the pan to cook.

Many induction hobs come with a frameless design, with the glass-ceramic surface seamlessly integrated into the countertop. They are usually black, but some offer other colour options that can be matched to your kitchen's decor. These units also come with minimalist controls that are sleek and minimalist, and have indicators that show the power level or other functions.

In order to maximize the benefits of your induction cooktop, you'll require induction-compatible cookware. The best ovens uk way to determine if a pan is induction compatible is to run an iron rod across its base. If the magnet is able to stick it's safe for use it on an induction cooker. To avoid overusing energy, many induction hobs feature a pan detection system that only activates the coils when a compatible pan is available.

Induction ovens hobs are a great choice for shared homes or student accommodation as they do not feature an open flame. They are also safer than gas models. However, they do produce an eerie ticking or humming sound in operation, which may irritate some people.

Gas hobs

A gas stove uses natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas to produce the flame that heats your cookware which makes it suitable for a wide range of cod of combining two appliances into a single unit, saving space in your kitchen and giving a more sleek appearance. They extract steam and smoke through a duct in the hob's surface, allowing them to work more efficiently than traditional hoods as they are able to collect steam at the level of cooking instead of let it rise and spill out into your living spaces.

Portable hobs

Whether you need extra hob space in your kitchen or you want to take your cooking outside the kitchen, a portable hob could be a great choice. They are designed to be placed on the kitchen worktop and plug into, so they're simple to use and can be carried with you when you want to cook somewhere else. They are also useful if you're renovating your kitchen or just need more space on the hob for busy times.

Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, both in kitchens for both home and professional use due to their speed safe, efficient, and easy to clean. They work by creating a magnetic coil that has an electric current flowing through it, which heats the pan that you place on the top. This means that there isn't any wasted heat' like with gas or electric hobs which helps reduce your costs.

This Belling hob features dual cooking zones and double ring design so can be used for various pots and pans. Its intuitive interface, great heat distribution and the ability to alter the temperature between the two zones made it a favored among testers. The only drawback was that it took over 12 minutes to boil 1 litre of water which can be a hassle for those who are time-pressed.

This model from Smeg is a great choice for those looking for a compact alternative. It's light and thin, less than half the size of some other models on the list. This makes it simple to keep in storage when not in use. The brushed finish appears more professional and is much easier to clean than hobs with a shiny finish.

These hobs could be a great smaller alternative to larger ones, but they are still hot and could cause serious burns. This is why we recommend careful handling and sensible placement of the plug, keeping it far away from children and away from areas where people might fall over it. The majority of models also come with a child lock, which is a useful feature to think about for parents with children.