For a long time the only thing you needed to know or ask when choosing a built-in hob for your newly designed kitchen was if it was Gas or Electric? Today you can choose between gas, gas on glass, electric, ceramic, radiant and induction, as well as colours and finishes such as black glass and satin steel.
Induction Hobs
For the latest in cooking technology, induction hobs gives you the very best of all worktop cooking, they are very energy efficient, quickly controllable and because they have less direct heat they are easier to keep clean. Induction Hobs use a magnetic field to generate heat instantly, the cook zone only becomes energized when a suitable pan is placed on the cooktop. Only the cooking area becomes warm leaving the rest of the top much cooler than normal ceramic, which will certainly help to keep spills from baking on the glass cooktop. Choose from fixed size pan zones or go for the vari-zone hobs where the areas only energise to the size of pan placed on top of the cooktop - energy saving at its best.
Classic Gas Hobs
Gas hobs come in a variety of sizes from 60cm hobs, 70cm, & 90cm hobs through to 110cm. Cooking with gas gives you a fast and controllable heat. Gas burners come in a range of small, medium and large sizes, and usually have 4 or 5 burners, along with options such as Fish Kettles, and Wok burners so powerful your favourite stir-fry will be cooked in minutes. The power output can vary from 0.85kW to an impressive 4kW for wok burners. Most gas hobs come with a Stainless or Satin Steel finish, and the familiar black and white single piece of vitreous enamel.
Recessed Gas Hobs
For the latest in designer look kitchens choose a recessed gas cooktop, which can be either flush mounted for that sleek, clean, in-line linear look, or Inset style dropped into your granite worktop. Cast iron pan supports are all in line and linear making it very easy to move pans across the hob cooktop. The hob recess is built to contain any food spillages, simply remove the pan supports and wipe clean.
Gas On Glass Hobs
The stunningly elegant tempered Black Glass surface with a one piece, easy clean cooktop affords gas on glass hobs a contemporary design along with controllable gas power. With functionality such as rotary controls, or the latest in digital and sensor touch controls for that total sleek & sophisticated look. The cast iron pan supports are available either individually or in grid form. All burners have flame-safe technology for extra safety.
Electric Ceramic Hobs
Ceramic hobs have a smooth ceramic one piece cooktop, which usually comes in black but white ceramic is also available. The sleek smooth appearance makes for easy cleaning of spillages, all that is needed to clean is a quick wipe over. Choose between a metal trim or a sleek frameless design. Controls can be rotary or latest advanced digital controls for that ultra sleek look with fingertip touch control.