Hob Guide

For some people, the idea of a hob or cooktop might be something they take for granted. It’s a classic staple of many cooking setups, but what if you want to upgrade your hob completely? What if you want more cooking zones, or if your type of hobs just aren’t cooking up a storm any more? In this guide, we’re going to be taking a look at what you need to keep in mind when buying any kind of hob, as well as which type is likely to work best for you. Are you keen on buying an induction hob to make cooking that little bit quicker? What about upping the precision with a great gas hob? Hobs are really easy to use and are great for accessing heat quickly when we want to steam, fry or boil. Here’s a rundown of this common, yet important kitchen feature.

Why Do I Need A Hob?

If you have an oven in your home as opposed to a cooker or range cooker, then you will be aware that they are built-in so don’t have a hob on the top. Therefore, you will need to purchase a separate hob in order to have the full cooking experience. Hobs are also a great idea if you have a kitchen island and want a relatively large cooking top space, as opposed to a range or smaller cooker. Also, if you are likely to want to fry or boil food, hobs are essential. Therefore, you’re going to need to think about looking for a large enough cooking zone as well as the type of hobs which are likely to be most practical for you. In many cases, multi cooking zone hobs provide the quickest and most practical cooking experiences in the kitchen. Second to your microwave, you’ll unlikely find a speedier way to prepare meals.

Types Of Hob

Gas

Gas hobs are really the only alternative to the electric models, the variations of which are underneath.

Everybody is familiar with gas cooking. You use a flame, ignited with a gas supply, to cook over. There is the choice between manual ignition, where you hold the pilot ignition button in and turn the dial, or automatic ignition which will light the hob when the dial is turned.

Also look at whether it will reignite automatically if the flame goes out, or if it has flame failure safety device that cuts the gas supply off. Check for extras too, such as wok burners and grill pans.

Pros

Rapid heating – the flame is almost instantaneous
Good level of heat control, which is great when simmering and low boiling
Energy efficient as you can ensure no heat escapes around the pan
Can easily see when the hob is lit thanks to visible flame
Available in sizes from four hobs up to eight

Cons

One of the hardest to clean as you have to remove pan supports/check flame plates and nozzle
Some people feel uncomfortable with gas and flames in their home
Some can be quite bulky in appearance

Solid Plate Hob

Also known as sealed electric hobs. They are the best-known form of electric hob, easiest to use and often the cheapest too.

Pros

Price – they will be the lowest priced option out there
Easy to use, as they just have knobs which turn to set the temperature
Simple to clean as they just need a wipe and occasional scrub around the plate

Cons

Take the longest to heat and cool down
Not the prettiest design

Ceramic

A ceramic hob is a flat surface, with heating elements beneath. They are often quicker to heat up and cool down than solid plate models, and have the benefit of looking much nicer. Ceramic hobs are pretty common in the modern kitchen, particularly thanks to their sleek look, ease of use and maintenance. Less time cleaning and fixing means more time actually enjoying cooking.

Pros

Often can see the residual heat in the form of a red colour so they’re safe
Most are touch control so there’s no dials to clean around
Can have the benefit of other top technology such as timers, bridging zones and control panel locks
Most heat is transferred to the pan rather than heating the glass surface

Cons

Heat distribution and power isn’t as good as with gas
Some don’t offer great control with heat levels, especially at the lower end

Induction

Induction hobs are the newest kid on the block. They’re a variant of ceramic hobs so look very similar in size, but offer much more technology and safety. Bear in mind that as they use electro-magnetic technology to heat the pan as opposed to the surface of the hob, you will have to use specialised pans with a magnetic base, such as cast iron pans and some stainless steel sets. An induction hob is a fancy piece of kit which is great if you have the budget – however, there are still plenty of cooking staples outside of induction hobs which get the job done well.

Pros

Induction hobs will only work if an appropriate pan is on the cooking zone – so it’s extra safe
The size of the hob can be altered depending on pan being used
Most have touch controls for simple control and easy cleaning
Many have technology such as pausing, panel lock and flexi-zones

Cons

Generally the most expensive option
May have to purchase new pans for use

Air Vent Hobs

Air Vent Hobs are usually all induction hobs, but they all have a handy extra feature. Rather than needing a separate cooker hood above your cooking area, or a downdraft extractor installed behind the hob, an air extraction hob does both jobs. So when you’re cooking, there is a fan in the centre of the unit which can get rid of smoke, smells and steam as soon as it appears, before it emerges into your kitchen. These tend to be pretty pricey at times, and will generally need a bit more attention when it comes to installation and maintenance.

Pros

Same as above with the induction hobs
PLUS it can get rid of smells and smoke as it appears
No need for an extra cooker hood

Cons

Same as induction cons
PLUS they require a lot of installation – not a simple solution
Still very new so little choice

Teppanyakis

These are kind of a hob, but you will probably actually need a dedicated hob at the same time, so a teppanyaki essentially complements a cooking setup.

They are like grill pans which are built-in to your kitchen surface, so you can fry steaks, fish, vegetables and even rice or egg without the need for a pan. Taking inspiration from Japanese cooking, they are usually hotter than ordinary hobs, and a lot more spacious.

The word Teppan is the metal plate on which it is cooked, and yaki means grilled, broiled, or pan-fried. You may see some smaller, non-built in cooking plates referred to as teppanyakis, but they often lack the power and space.

Pros

Great for frying
Rids the need for pans
Gives you plenty of space to work with

Cons

Pretty pricey, especially as they can’t replace your main hob
Not a lot available
Isn’t going to be suitable for every kitchen setup as you need space

Things To Look Out For When Buying A Hob

Not every household requires the same attributes and extras, but there are a few things you should think about before you buy which could make your dinnertime a lot more stress-free and cooking a lot more seamless. Of course, whether you buy induction hobs, ceramic hobs or otherwise, you’re also likely to be focusing on your budget, too! Here are some essential points you can use as a guide when you come to buying your next hob top, or upgrading your current system…

Number of Cooking Zones

With the exception of solid plate hobs, most of the above are available in various sizes. The most common is 60cm wide with four cooking zones, but there are also plenty of 70cm wide five zone hobs. Most can fit into a 60cm standard space and will overlap on the kitchen bench, which is ideal if you need more space without changing things too much. There are also 80cm and 90cm hobs available, but if you don’t have an existing space for these, it could require a lot of work to fit them into your kitchen. The general layout of the hobs is one large, two medium and one simmer zone. Cooking zones and their layout will matter to you if you have large pots and pans, or if you want to merge some together.

Control Type

The most common option is dials and knobs, so you can either set the power at increments or freely by turning them. Some flat designs, such as ceramic or induction, will have touch controls or sliders instead. Think of what you prefer, what you’re used to and if you’re willing to learn a new style.

How to Choose A Cooker Hob

Some hobs have special additions to make your cooking more flexible:

Wok burners – Often found on gas hobs. Larger in size to accommodate woks, and often more powerful for higher heats
Griddle Plate – Fish kettle or grill pan areas, so they can sit over two zones simultaneously for a more even heat and then removed when not needed. Mostly found with gas hobs, and some may even come with the grill pan. If not, they’re available to buy separately so just check that the layout for your hob is appropriate

Happy Hob Hunting!

We hope you’ve found this guide useful in hunting down the perfect hob for your kitchen use. Find a look that’s clean – and is easy to clean, too – as well as which comes with the cooking zones and controls which are going to make life easier for you. Choose a gas hob for precision, or induction hobs if you want a safer guide to oventop cooking. Regardless of clean looks and prices, it makes sense to narrow down the field as much as you possibly can. Shop around – and don’t necessarily look solely at the big brands unless you really want to! There are plenty of great bargains out there if you look carefully enough, trust us!