Choosing an Oven With Hob
If you're planning to build an entirely new kitchen or looking to upgrade your current appliance, an oven with hob is a great solution.
Electric and gas ovens that have a stove are available. Gas cookers have a set of burners (usually 4) and an oven, whilst electric cookers have an oven and a hob surface.
What is a hob?
The main part of the stove is the hob (also known as a cooker top or cooktop). This is the area where you cook your pots. They are available in gas, electric and ceramic varieties. Some models come with dual fuel burners, combining the speedy cooking time of an electric oven with the instant heat of gas stoves.
A hob is available as a stand-alone piece of equipment, or as part of an integrated kitchen. When selecting a suitable hob for your home, you'll have to think about its size, energy efficiency and ease of use. It is also important to decide on which type of hob is ideal for your cooking style. Different types have different levels of performance.
For instance gas hobs are a favorite for those who love stir-frying and fry because they provide instant heat and are easy to manage. Induction hobs are a great choice if you wish to keep your kitchen as tidy as you can. They heat the pan by using electromagnets. This means that they only require electricity when you're actually cooking. They also shut off automatically after the pan is removed.
You need to have a gas pipe in place before you can install a new cooktop. This will ensure that your hob is safe to use and you won't face any issues when it comes time to cook.
The type of hob you choose will determine the control options that are available. On gas and solid sealed plate hobs you can adjust the heat by using rotating controls. Touch controls are commonly found on induction and ceramic hobs, which give you the flexibility to select the setting you prefer using your fingertips. Some hobs come with child safety locks, so that your children and guests cannot accidentally change the settings.
If you're a fervent cook, it might be worth investing in a further feature such as a timer, or pause function. They will allow you to multitask while cooking, and also prevent your food from getting overcooked or burning. You will also cut down on time and effort by making your kitchen more efficient.
What are the benefits of hobs?
A hob can be a useful addition to any kitchen, providing benefits such as ease of use, energy efficiency and compatibility with all kinds of cookware. When selecting the ideal hob, you should also be aware of other aspects like price and lifestyle compatibility.
Gas hobs are among the most popular types of hobs. Gas hobs are easy to use and offer a high level of heat control. However they require a gas connection that isn't available in every house. They also take longer to warm up and cool down, which may make them less convenient for everyday cooking.
Induction hobs are another option for a sleek and efficient solution. They work by creating an electric field around the pan, meaning that it's only the cookware that gets hot, not the surface of the hob itself. This means they're safe and easy to clean, and can boil water in a matter of seconds. However, they're more expensive than other types of hobs and can only be used with metal pans - ideally made from cast iron or 18/10 steel. If you're suffering from pacemaker, it's essential to make sure that an induction cooker will not affect it since these types of cookware emit magnetic fields.
A combination hob is another option. This is a great choice for those who are seeking the flexibility of gas and induction, but don't want to invest much. They let you switch between them cooking methods, such as sauteing on the gas side and simmering induction making it possible to cook more complex dishes while saving money in the long run.
A lot of hobs come with a pause function that allows users to shut off heating all zones at once. This can help avoid accidents, especially in kitchens that are busy. There are also control and child locks that stop children or others from accidentally altering the settings.
Most hobs come with an accessible drip tray, or spillage well. This makes cleaning much easier. The majority of surfaces can be cleaned with just a few squirts. However, stains that are stubborn and marks can be removed using hob scrapers.
What is the difference between a stove and an oven?
A hob is used to heat cooking pots and other vessels. There are different types of hobs available, including electric, gas and induction. Some of these have specific features designed to facilitate cooking while others are more appealing to the eye and are used as a design feature.
For instance ceramic hobs are famous for being both sleek and fashionable, as well being easy to clean. They make use of electricity to heat the components beneath the glass surface. This transmits heat directly to pans. This makes them extremely efficient and energy-saving since they only heat the pans, not the surface. However, they can take a bit longer to heat up and cool down, and could be more susceptible to scratches or chips if you're not careful.
Another kind of hob is a gas-on glass model. They're similar to gas hobs that are traditional, however they come with the added benefit of a sleek and sophisticated glass finish. There aren't flames or rings that are hot to worry about, which means they're less difficult to clean. They're more expensive, and it can be hard to find replacement parts in the event that they fail.
Induction hobs, on other hand are a more contemporary and energy efficient choice. They utilize electromagnets to create electricity, which then 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 also extremely safe, since the heating takes place only when you put a pan on the zone. However they're only compatible with certain kinds of pans (usually cast iron or steel) and can be more costly than other hob types.
There are dual-fuel models that incorporate an electric oven with gas stove to provide the best of both. This is the perfect appliance for those who want a multi-purpose appliance that can boil, fry, and warm up food.
How do I set up an oven?
The selection of a stove and oven that work together, especially in a small kitchen, requires careful planning. The cooker must be low enough to be able to sit beneath the hob, and if there's an overhang, ensure that it doesn't interfere with getting in and out of the oven. A drop-down door is an ideal solution for this.
Also, think about the height of your oven and your hob. If it's too low it can be difficult taking hot roasting pans into and out. If you have children, you should think about the proximity of the cooktop to them. Built-in hobs are in easy reach of kids, whereas freestanding cooktops tend to be higher and can be pushed back towards the back splash for additional security.
The best hobs for you could differ based on your lifestyle, how often you cook, and whether you prefer a gas or electric hob. For example, if you regularly entertain guests, then a larger oven might be more suitable for your needs. Likewise, if you love baking, then an electric oven with an oven is a good choice, as it allows you to simultaneously cook and bake.
It is also important to consider that your electrical system at home must be able handle the power of the appliance you select. It could be expensive to add a new electric appliance or switch from gas to electricity. You'll need to upgrade the wiring in your kitchen.
The appliance you are installing is wired by an electrician is the safest option. Using an adapter or extension lead can be dangerous and damage your appliances.
Make sure the electrician is certified and endorsed by a professional body like Trusted Traders. This will help you to find an electrician in your area who has the appropriate experience for the task. Requesting quotes from multiple tradespeople is also important as prices can vary greatly. You can find trusted tradespeople near you by using the online search tool accessible on our website.