Choosing an Oven With Hob

If you're looking to improve or build a new kitchen, an oven and a hob might be the best option.

Gas and electric ovens and hobs with a stove are available. Gas cookers come with the set (usually four) of burners and an oven hob. Electric cookers have an oven as well as a surface to cook on.

What is a hob exactly?

Hobs (also called cooktops or cooker tops) are the primary component of a stove you heat pots on. They're available in gas, electric and ceramic varieties. Some models come with dual fuel burners, which combine the speedy cooking time of an electric oven with the instant heat of a gas stove.

A hob can be installed either as a freestanding piece of equipment or as an integral part of a kitchen built-in. When choosing a hob it is important to take into consideration its dimensions and energy efficiency as well as its ease of operation. You'll also need to consider the kind of hob that best suits your cooking preferences since different models offer various levels of performance.

For instance, gas hobs are popular with those who like to stir-fry and fry since they provide instant heat and are easy to manage. If you're looking for a cleaner option, then induction hobs might be the best option. They heat the pan using electromagnets. This means that they only require electricity when you're cooking. They also turn off automatically when the pan has been removed.

You need to have a gas pipe in place before you install a new stove. This will ensure that the hob is safe to use, and you won't face any issues when it's time to cook.

The type of hob you pick will determine the controls that are available. Rotating controls are commonly found on solid sealed plate and gas hobs, which allow you to alter the amount of heat you're cooking at any given time. Touch controls are typically found on induction and ceramic hobs, which give you the option of selecting the desired setting with your fingertips. Certain hobs are equipped with child safety locks to ensure that your children and guests are not able to accidentally alter the settings.

If you're a keen cook, it might be worth buying a cooktop with additional features, such as a pause function or a timer. These features can make it easier to cook at a time and help you avoid overcooking or burning your food. They can also save you time and effort by making your kitchen more efficient.

What are the benefits of a stove?

A hob can be an excellent addition to any kitchen, offering advantages like convenience energy efficiency, and compatibility with all kinds of cookware. However, it's important to consider these benefits against other aspects such as price and lifestyle compatibility when selecting the right hob for your home.

Gas hobs are among the most common kinds of hobs. Gas hobs are very simple to use, and provide a superior level of heat control. However they require an gas connection that isn't always available in every home. They take longer to heat up and cool down which makes them less practical for use in everyday life.

Induction hobs are a different option that provide a sleek and effective solution. They work by creating an electromagnetic field around the pan to ensure that only the cookware gets hot, not the surface of your hob. They are safe, easy-to-clean and can boil water within minutes. However, they are more expensive than other types of hobs and only work with metal pans - ideally made of cast iron or 18/10 steel. If you're suffering from a pacemaker, it's important to ensure that an induction cooktop will not affect it since these types of cookware emit magnetic fields.

A combination hob is another alternative. This is an excellent option for those who are seeking the flexibility of both induction and gas, but don't need to spend much. They let you switch between them such as sauteing on the gas side while simmering with the induction side, enabling you to create more complicated dishes while saving money in the long run.

Other features available on many hobs are a pause feature that allows you to stop the heating of all active zones at once, helping to prevent accidents in kitchens that are busy. There are also controls and child locks that prevent children from accidentally altering the settings.

Many hobs are equipped with a removable drip tray or spillage tray, which makes cleaning easier. A few sprays of kitchen cleaner is enough to get most surfaces clean, but stubborn marks and stains can often be removed with a hob scraper that is designed specifically for use.

What is the difference between an oven and hob and a hob?

A hob is a cooktop, used to heat saucepans and similar cooking vessels. There are a variety of types of hobs that are available that include electric, gas and induction hobs. Some of them have features that help cook easier, while others are purely decorative.

For instance, ceramic hobs are renowned for their elegant and fashionable, as well as easy to clean. They use electricity to heat the elements under the glass surface. This then transmits the heat directly to your pans. They are extremely energy-efficient and efficient, as they only heat your pans. However, they could take a bit longer to heat up and cool down, and may be more prone to scratches and chips if you're not careful.

Glass on gas is a different type of hob. These are similar to traditional gas hobs, yet have the added benefit of having a sleek and elegant glass finish. There are no flames or hot burner rings to worry about, and they're easier to clean. They're more expensive, and it can be hard to locate replacement parts should they fail.

Induction hobs are an innovative and energy efficient alternative. They utilize electromagnets to create electricity, which warms the pan's bottom rather than the surrounding hob surface. This makes them incredibly fast to warm up and cool down, and they're very safe, as the heating only happens when you put pans on the zone. However they're only compatible with certain types of pans (usually cast iron or steel) and can be more expensive than other hob types.

There are also dual fuel models that provide the best of both worlds by mixing an electric oven with gas hob. This is ideal if you're looking for an all-in-one appliance that can bake and roast, as well as cooking, boiling, or warming up dishes.

How do I set up an oven?

Choosing a hob and oven that work well together, particularly in a small kitchen requires careful planning. The cooker should be small enough to be able to sit beneath the hob. If there's an overhang, ensure that it doesn't interfere with reaching in and out of the oven. A drop down door is an ideal solution to this.

Also consider the height of your stove and oven. It may be difficult to lift a hot roasting pan if it's too low. If you have children, it's worth thinking about the proximity of the cooktop to them. Hobs with built-in ovens can be easily reached by children while freestanding cooktops tend to be higher, and can be pushed up against the back splash.

The best choice for your kitchen will depend on your lifestyle, frequency of cooking and whether you prefer a gas or an electric hob. For instance, if you frequently host guests, then a larger oven might be more suitable for your requirements. If you like baking, an electric oven with a stove is a good choice. It allows you to cook and bake simultaneously.

It's also important to keep in mind that your household electrical setup must be able to cope with the power of the appliance you choose. It could be expensive to purchase a brand new electric appliance or switch from gas to electricity. You'll need to upgrade the wiring in your kitchen.

A new appliance that is hardwired by an electrician is the most secure option. Utilizing an adapter or extension lead is risky and could cause damage to your appliance.

Check if the electrician is licensed and endorsed by a professional body such as Trusted Traders. This will help you find an electrician in your area who has the right experience to do the job. It is also crucial to request estimates from a variety of tradespeople, as the price can vary significantly. You can locate reputable tradespeople in your area using the search engine online available on our website.