Hobs

Sizes

Built-in hobs usually come in at 60cm wide, but you can find 80cm-90cm options for larger kitchens. Four burners is the standard amount, but extra burners are available on certain models.

Gas

Gas hobs are traditionally easy to control, with a visible heat source and responsive controls. They are also simple to dismantle when it comes to cleaning. You will need to get your gas hob installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

These hobs can also come with ceramic glass – often called gas-on-glass. The burners are mounted on the ceramic glass, which make the surface easy to wipe clean. However, the glass will mark and show grease, and it usually takes slightly longer to heat up compared to the traditional option.

Induction

Induction hobs use a spiral copper coil beneath the surface to heat the pan directly. A magnetic pan triggers the heat, which then cools when the pan is removed.

Note: Induction hobs use a powerful electromagnetic field, so if you have a pacemaker, you should make sure the hob won’t interfere with it in any way before purchasing.

Electric and ceramic hobs

Here, the heating systems sit underneath ceramic glass, with a safety that prevents the glass from overheating.

Electric plate and electric coil hobs

With these hobs, the heating element is covered by a solid metal plate, which is often slower to heat up and cool down. Therefore, temperature control and precision cooking is harder with plate and coil models.

Domino hobs

Their distinctive oblong shape gives them their name, and they’re 30cm wide and feature 1 or 2 burners which can stand alone. You can add a single domino next to a standard hob, giving you extra capacity alongside your current hob.

Built-in hobs: key features

1. Child-safety controls – Touch controls that can be locked to prevent children altering settings or switching on the hob.
2. Fish kettle/casserole zone – Elongated cooking zone that can accommodate a fish kettle or a long casserole dish.
3. Range of heat outputs – Maintain a good simmer on low, or choose high for quick heating/stir frying.
4. Removable controls – Allows easy cleaning.
5. Ultra-rapid burners – For bringing water to the boil or frying food in a wok.

Gas hobs: key features

1. Automatic ignition – Will spark gas alight when controls are turned and pushed in.
2. Coated pan supports – Much easier to clean than bare stainless steel.
3. Flame failure protection – If the burner goes out accidently, the flame will reignite automatically or the gas will stop running.
4. Overspill protection – Detects when liquid has boiled over and turns the power off.
5. Removable pan supports – Can be taken apart and washed.

Electric hobs: key features

1. Automatic switch-off/timeout – Heat switches off if left unattended for long periods of time.