Hobs Buying Guide

The Hob Buying Guide

Gas, electric, induction, ceramic – with so many options available, it can be confusing to know which hob is right for you. Each type of hob has its own advantages and disadvantages, affecting both cooking performance and fuel efficiency. When choosing a hob, it's important to consider size and space, and to select the most suitable location - not necessarily above the oven. Our hob buying guide will help you choose the right one for your needs.

Fuel Types

• Gas - Gas hobs provide immediate and responsive heat, along with visible flames. You can control the flame size to adjust heat intensity. However, gas hobs require installation by a registered Gas Safe Installer.
• Electric - Electric hobs can be slower to heat up compared to gas hobs, and it may be difficult to tell whether they're on or not. However, they allow heat to be evenly distributed across the heating element.

Size

Hobs with 4 burners are usually 60cm wide, while those with 5 burners are usually 70cm wide. We offer hobs in larger sizes as well.

Oven Configuration

There are several ways ovens and cookers can be organized:

• Single oven with integrated grill - Medium/Large oven with a grill integrated within the cavity.
• Single oven with separate grill - Medium/Large oven with a grill situated in a separate cavity to allow for simultaneous roasting and grilling.
• Double oven - One medium/large cavity and a small/medium cavity, with a grill integrated within to allow for flexibility when cooking larger meals.

Type

• Electric Solid Plate - Electric solid plate hobs are a low-priced option for a long-lasting and durable product. They distribute heat across the base of the entire saucepan.
• Electric Ceramic - Electric ceramic hobs are a stylish and easy-to-clean version of the solid plate hobs. They are more efficient than gas hobs, with heat being transferred equally to the pans. However, they take longer to heat up, but sometimes feature indicators to let you know when the hob is safe to touch.
• Electric Induction - Induction hobs create magnetic fields between the element and the pan, meaning the pan heats up instead of the cooking surface. This makes the hob safe to touch immediately after use. Induction hobs also have a quick warming-up speed and are economical in terms of only using energy required.

Energy Rating

Under EU legislation, every new hob must have an energy label showing its energy rating. All of our hobs are rated in line with the regulations, ranging from C (low efficiency) to A+++ (high efficiency).

You can work out an appliance's annual running costs by multiplying kWh used by 0.1427 (the average national cost of electricity + VAT), although this figure may vary depending on how much you pay for your local electricity supply.

If you need further help or advice, don't hesitate to contact us.