Hob Buying Guide
30th Mar 2022
Hobs are an essential cooking appliance to have in your kitchen. They are found on top of the counter, however there are many considerations to think about so that you can choose the right hob for you and your home. We’re here to help you with that!
Hob Fuel Types
Electric
Electric hobs are the modern way to cook. They are safer than gas hobs as they don’t use an open flame. There are many different types of electric hobs to choose from, including ceramic, induction and solid plate hobs.
Ceramic hobs work with any type of cooking utensils, and do not require special purchases. These hobs are easy to clean, heat up reasonably fast and will give your home a very modern appearance.
Induction hobs are the quickest to heat up out of all of the electric hobs. They are also more energy efficient than the other electric hobs and traditional gas hobs. Induction hobs use electromagnets to detect and heat the base of pans. Due to this, induction hobs have to work with iron or stainless steel pots and pans in order to work.
Solid plate hobs are very easy to use. It uses durable plates which are heated underneath by electricity. This heat is absorbed by your pots and pans so that you can cook. This type of hob is the slowest to heat up which might not be ideal for active household, but is great for the food’s flavour!
Gas
Gas hobs are quicker to heat up as they offer instant heat. Gas costs are usually lower than electricity costs as well, so gas hobs cost less to run. It is also easier to control the level of heat. This type of cooker will be usable, even if the electricity goes out, so if you have an electric oven, this will ensure that the meals go on.
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) hobs can reach higher temperatures than a standard gas hob. This heats your equipment and food very quickly. The higher pressure used by LPG hobs is more energy-efficient than other gas hobs as well. If you wish to cook with gas, this is a more environmentally-friendly option.
Domino hobs are smaller and are suited to small kitchens. They can come in many materials and colours so are great for getting a modern gleam.
Hob Size
When it comes to the size for your new hob, you need to consider the number of burners that you will need, and how the hob will fit into your kitchen. If you are preparing food for a larger family, you may need more burners. Most hobs are 60cm in width but they can range up to 90cm if needed.
Measuring For A New Hob
Measure the width of the location where you wish to have your hob. Ensure that there is at least 60mm of space on either side of it, and make sure that the hob you are looking at will fit. The extractor fan should also be at least as wide as your hob, or else it will not provide enough ventilation. Also measure the depth and height of your hob, again ensuring that there is room to spare at the front and back of the hob. There should also be roughly 75cm of space between the hob and the hood to ensure there is proper ventilation and that your kitchen is safe. If you have an oven below your hob, there also needs to be sufficient space (at least 15mm) between the two appliances to allow for ventilation.
Energy Ratings
Energy ratings are a well-discussed feature and apply to any electrical appliance. Energy ratings are there to help make decisions based of the eco-friendliness and long-term running cost of the product. Appliances that are A-rated are very energy-efficient, while G-rated appliances use a lot of energy to run. These ratings are becoming increasingly important as the conversation surrounding global warming continues. The annual energy consumption should be taken into consideration if selecting an eco-friendly hob is important to you.
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic hobs are generally electric. The smooth surface makes this material very easy to clean and maintain. The heating area will glow red when it is hot, therefore anyone in the area will know not to touch it.
Glass
Glass can be used with both electric and gas hobs. Like ceramic, the smooth surface makes this kind of hob very easy to clean. Glass is great for distributing heat and cooking your meals evenly. This type of hob will bring a very modern feel to your kitchen.
Stainless Steel
This material is very popular. Stainless steel is generally used with gas hobs. They are excellent for heating your food quickly and are great for temperature control. They are a little more difficult to clean, although it is still not difficult. Stainless steel hobs are very durable and should last a long time.
Colour
Dark colours are easier to keep clean, while bright colours
can make the environment look bigger. Stainless steel is durable and can give
you the best of both worlds and is easier to clean, is easy on the eye and can
still give your home a spacious and modern feel to it.
Other Considerable Features
Auto-Ignition Burners
Many gas hobs come with auto-ignition burners. These burners will automatically light the flame when you press in and turn the knob to switch it on. This makes the hob safer as you do not need to put your hand near the flame when lighting it.
Unique Burners
Some gas hobs have special burners, such as wok burners. These are larger than the average burner and are suitable for larger utensils such as woks, and larger pots and pans. These special burners usually come with 5 burner gas hobs.
Venting Hobs
No need for an extractor hood if you’ve got a venting hob as these hobs have an extractor fan in-built. The ventilation can bring the air outside using a duct, or can recirculate filtered air back inside. Ventilated hobs are useful for kitchen islands where you may not want a cooker hood.
Smart Technology
Advancements in technology now mean that some hobs come with built-in Wi-Fi. This feature connects the hood and the hob. The connection works so that the fan will automatically react and respond to the hob.
Child Lock
Have you got little ones (or not-so-little ones) who might accidentally turn on the hob? This could be very dangerous for them. Many electric hobs come with a child lock function that can stop this from happening and is safer for your home as well.
Flame Failure Safety
This feature comes with some gas hobs. It will automatically cut off the gas supply if the flame goes out. This will protect your home from being filled up with gas. This is potentially fatal if it happens. The flame failure safety feature is a legal requirement when you are installing a new hob in a flat or apartment, so that you and all of the other residents are not at risk to being poisoned by the gas.
Brands
With such a large range of appliances to choose from, we’ve made a list of some of our most trusted brands that have been proven to provide high-quality products.