Gas Hob Buying Guide

Image of a saucepan on a gas hob. The burner is in use and you can see the blue flame beneath the pan. The background is bright blue and the worktop is dark grey.

Gas hobs have been one of the most popular hob types for many years. Loved by chefs and home cooks alike, gas is a traditional cooking method that has stood the test of time. Find out everything you need to know about gas hobs in our short buying guide.

What is a gas hob and how do they work?

A gas hob uses natural gas or liquified petroleum gas (LPG) to rapidly heat your food. Gas hobs are built into your worktop and usually feature several different burners. You can control the temperature quickly and easily to increase or reduce the flame. Thanks to their rapid heat and fine temperature control, gas hobs are ideal for boiling, frying and sautéing.

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Close up image of a gas burner on a stainless steel hob.
Split image: On the left is a close up of a stainless steel pan cooking on a gas burner. The right hand side shows the gas burners in a dishwasher,

How do you clean a gas hob?

Out of the different hob types, gas can be the most difficult to clean. There are more nooks and crannies where food and grease can hide. Once food splatters dry onto the hob it can be tricky to remove, but not impossible. We have some great tips and tricks to keep your gas hob looking shiny and new in our Hob Cleaning Guide. With regular maintenance and a little elbow grease, you can keep your hob looking new for longer.

Read Our Hob Cleaning Guide

What are the benefits of gas cooking?

There are many advantages of cooking with gas but here are the key benefits:

  • Rapid heat – A gas hob can heat up very quickly meaning you can bring water to the boil quickly and create a sizzling stir fry in no time!
  • Easy to Control – Gas hob controls are easy to use and you can precisely adjust the temperature by simply turning the rotary dials.
  • Durable – Unlike an induction or ceramic hob, gas burners use pan supports which mean there is no contact between your cookware and the hob surface. This means there is less chance of scratching the hob surface, making it more hard wearing.
  • Visual indicator – Many cooks prefer to see the flame as it is a visual indicator of the heat. You can tell whether the heat needs increasing or turning down by the intensity of the flame.
  • Cost effective – The good news is you don’t need to use specialist cookware with a gas hob! Gas hobs are generally less expensive to buy than induction so you can also save on the initial outlay too.
Image of a black Smeg gas on glass hob with five burners. Each burner is turned on so you can see the blue flames burning on each cooking zone.

What are the disadvantages of a gas hob?

  • Environmental impact – Gas hobs lose some heat and therefore energy around the sides of the pan. This makes them less energy efficient than induction hobs which only heat the base of a pan. Gas cookers can release pollutants into the air even when they aren’t in use*. It is important to ensure you have good ventilation in your kitchen if you cook with gas.
  • Safety – Using naked flames can always pose a fire risk. If you have little children or even pets, you need to take extra care when cooking with gas in case of accidental fires or burns.
  • Cleaning – As mentioned before, gas hobs are a little trickier to clean than other hob types. However with the right cleaning equipment and regular maintenance you can keep a gas hob looking brand new!

*For more information on the environmental impact of gas cooking, please visit cleanairhub.org/uk

What should I consider when buying a gas hob?

Now you know the pros and cons of buying a gas hob, here are a few other things you should consider before you start shopping.

Size

Our gas hobs range from 56cm wide to a whopping 95cm! If you are replacing an existing hob you’ll want to swap it for a model that has the same dimensions. However if you are planning a whole new kitchen, you can choose a hob to suit your needs. A busy household will most likely need a larger hob with lots of burners whereas if you have a compact kitchen you may only need a narrow hob with 2-3 burners.

Image of a Smeg 6 burner gas hob in stainless steel. Each cooking ring is turned on and you can see the blue flames on each burner.

Colour

We know you might be thinking, aren’t all hobs either Black or Stainless Steel? There are actually other options available! We also have gas hobs in Cream, Gunmetal and Matte Black, so you can match in with your other kitchen appliances and complement your kitchen décor. Gas on glass hobs are a popular modern choice. Many love the look of a glass hob, but prefer to cook with gas so these hobs offer you the best of both worlds!

Close up of a gunmetal grey gas hob on a grey worktop with green leafy vegetables on the left hand side.

Brand

You might want to match your hob to the same brand as your other appliances. For example, if you have an AEG extractor, there are some matching AEG hobs which will connect to your hood in the Hob2Hood range. You can focus on cooking whilst operating the extractor directly from the hob. Matching appliances can look very effective, but which brands make the best gas hobs? Find out in our Best Hob Brands Guide!

Image of a dark kitchen featuring an AEG gas hob and hood which are connected via Hob2Hood technology.

Gas Hobs: Conclusion

Now we’ve talked through all the key considerations, the choice is yours! Browse our full range of gas hobs online or visit our showroom before you make your final decision. Our sales team are also on hand to help answer any questions. Give us a call on 0115 965 1937 to find your new hob today!