Electric Hobs

Which hob? Most consumers tend to buy the same make of hob as their oven, this is because electric hobs are so similar. Also electric hobs are usually very reliable and on average have a long life span.
There are two main types of hob, sealed plate (these are the solid metal plates) or ceramic glass.

SEALED PLATE HOBS
Sealed plate hobs, or conventional hobs are normally very cheap to buy, but they are quite expensive to run. This is because they are very slow to reach cooking temperature, this also means they are very poor to control. If something is starting to boil over, you have to remove the saucepan from the heat because it takes so long to cool down. Less and less people choose sealed plate hobs, this is also because the cost of ceramic has reduced over the last 5 years.

Why not look at wider hobs that still use the same 60cm hob cut out? In this way you can have a larger cooking surface of say a 70-75cm without needing to alter your kitchen.

CERAMIC HOBS
There are different types of ceramic hob to choose from, with halogen, touch control, induction and sensor. The most popular choice is a standard ceramic hob with control knobs. Look at our web pages and you will see that Discount Direct can offer these very attractive units at extremely competitive prices.

With the price of touch control models dropping year on year, more consumers are considering this type of hob. The most repeated reason is that of ease of cleaning. As most touch control hobs are frame less or border less, there are no grease traps just a flat sheet of toughened glass.

INDUCTION HOBS
These hobs are energy efficient, clean, safe and even more controllable than gas. Induction cooking works by a magnetic current that generates heat instantly through the base of the compatible pan. (Your pans can be used on an induction hob if a magnet will stick to the base.) Induction hobs are not only quicker and cleaner than conventional hobs but are also safer as they transfer heat but do not retain it.

Why Induction?...Why/What/How..and safe?
In brief, induction combines the benefits of smooth electric ceramic hobs with traditional gas models to produce sleek, stylish appliances that are not only fast and safe but also very energy efficient and easy to clean.

Induction cooking is an advanced cooking technology that is designed to maximise efficiency and minimise heat loss by ONLY heating up the base of the pan and not the cooking zone when in use. The pan is the sole source of heat for this cooking method. There is no red glow or heat transfer outside the zone as on other ceramic hobs.

Induction hobs have a strong electro magnetic field created by a induction coil positioned just under each cooking zone. When a ferrous metal saucepan is placed on the zone to be used, it completes an aelectric circuit to ensure that heat is transferred evenly to the pan and its contents.

Induction is very safe indeed as the zone itself does not heat up unless the saucepan is actually in operation. The rest of the time the induction hob is cool to the touch. This makes it much safer than other ceramic hobs and is ideal for kitchens especially when there are young children or indeed elderly people in the area.

Gas Hobs

Which hob? Most consumers tend to buy the same make of hob as their oven, this is because as gas hobs are so similarit makes sense to show the same manufacturers name. Also gas hobs are usually very reliable and on average have a long life span. Thankfully choosing a gas hob is quite simple as there are not many choices to make. It is more about the size and number of burners, than actual differences like there are with electric hobs. Having said this more and more consumers are purchasing gas on glass type hobs these days, this is because of their sleek looks and easier cleaning. Consequently more manufacturers are producing them to satisfy demand.

A built in gas hob not only provides a multitude of cooking options, from stir frying to poaching but todays models also greatly enhance the average kitchen drawing the eye to uninterrupted sleek lines and a sophisticated finish.

Different burners are available. The Double ring burner is amazingly versatile, as you can switch on each flame indepenently to achieve precisely the results you need. The small flame is ideal for small pans and expresso makers while the larger ring can be used for bringing water to the boil quickly. Of course if you are in a hurry they can be usually be used together. The triple ring Wok burner is ideal for stir frying. The ring distrbutes heat evenly around the base for fast efficient cooked dishes.

When deciding the number of burners, one thing which is often over looked is the space required above the hob to satisfy the corgi (body of registered gas installers) regulations. We often hear from customers who purchase 5 and 6 burner extra wide hobs, but only have a standard 60cm extractor above with cupboards each side. This is a fire hazard and does not meet the corgi requirements, so make sure that you have the correct clearance above the hob.

Cast Iron Pan Supports
Another feature which has become fashionable in the last few years are cast iron pan stands. There are two types, gloss or matt, the gloss are more practical as you can normally place them in a dishwasher (we think they look better too).

Other features which are popular include sit on griddles, wok burners (make sure you get a wok ring for the pan to sit on) and fish kettle burners. The good news with a gas hob today is that they are cheap to buy, cheap to run, and there are loads of great styles to choose from.

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