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Kitchen Hob FAQ’s
Despite using your hob regularly, you might still have a few hob related questions. Here we’ll talk you through the most common kitchen hob FAQ’s. If you’re currently searching for a new hob, we’ll help you decide which one you should buy.
What is a kitchen hob?
Let’s begin with the most fundamental question of all: what is a hob? And how does a hob work?
A hob is a cooking appliance that’s often found built in to your worktop, or into the cooker itself. Essential in every kitchen, the hob provides a quick and effective way to cook a large variety of foods. Hobs are also relatively easy to clean (or really easy, depending on the type) and only take up a small amount of space. Hobs come in a range of different types, including gas, induction and ceramic.
From a design perspective, hobs come in a huge variety of colours, sizes and styles. This means it should be easy to find one that complements your kitchen style, plus the way you like to cook.
Different types of hobs operate in different ways:
- A gas hob connects to your home’s gas supply. once ignited, a gas hob will generate a flame that heats below your cooking equipment.
- An induction hob uses electromagnetic currents to heat the base of the pan, but not the surface of the hob.
- A ceramic hob uses electronic heating elements below the glass surface.
How do I use a hob?
Hobs are designed for boiling, frying, sautéing, poaching, and more. At the front of each hob, you’ll find a control panel. Depending on the type of hob you have these might be dials or touch controls.
To change the temperature on an induction hob, you simply slide or select the touch control and adjust it to the desired level. On a gas hob, you turn the dial to increase or reduce the flame. It’s as easy as that!
How do I clean a hob?
If you use your hob regularly you will have noticed how quickly they can accumulate dirt and grime; particularly oil and grease splatters. The good news is, hobs are relatively easy to keep clean. You can keep on top of spillages and grease by making sure you wipe down with a damp microfibre cloth after each use. For regular maintenance and deep cleaning advice, take a look at our Hob Cleaning Guide. We cover all the top tips for keeping your hob in the best possible condition.
What hob brands are best?
If you’re shopping for a new hob then one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make is which brand to buy. So, when choosing a new hob, which brand is best? The answer will depend on your requirements. For example, you may want an air venting induction hob, and there are specialist extraction brands who offer a wide range of air venting hobs. On the other hand you might be looking for a specific feature like Hob2Hood. This feature connects your hob and hood to work together so you can concentrate on cooking without needing to adjust your extractor. We offer hobs to suit all needs and budgets. You can find out more about our favourite hob brands in our Best Hob Brand Guide.
Are all hobs the same size?
In short, no! Hobs come in all different sizes. The most common hob width is 60cm as this is the width of a standard kitchen unit. Depending on how much space you have, some kitchen hobs can be as wide as 95cm. If you are replacing an existing hob, it is important to check which dimensions you need as every hob will be different. Fitting a hob above an oven? You’ll also need to check there is enough of a gap between them for the air to circulate. If you aren’t sure, please check with your kitchen installer or our sales team for further advice.
Which hob is right for me?
This is one of the more difficult questions to answer, but here are a few tips to make it easier.
Measure up
When you’re replacing an existing hob then you can take the dimensions of your current hob and use these to select your new one. If you’re buying a hob for a brand new kitchen, then you should measure the available space and use these dimensions to narrow down your list of potential new hobs.
If you’re not sure how to measure a kitchen hob then don’t worry, it’s very simple – measure the length and width of your unit – that’s it!
Specific Requirements
For example, if you have a pace maker fitted, it is not recommended to use an induction hob. This is because they create strong electromagnetic fields which can interfere with a pacemaker. If you have impaired sight, you may also find it easier to use a gas hob than an electric model. You can control the heat with dials rather than digital touch controls which can be harder to see.
Look at as many hobs as possible
Comparing models will help you understand the designs and features on offer. Once you have a list of criteria that you want, you can use this to select the best hob for your needs.
Read reviews
This may sound obvious but it is often overlooked; you should read reviews of all shortlisted models. Some hobs might seem to suit your needs but might not actually be suitable for your kitchen layout or circumstances. You may read a review from someone in a similar situation to you that can highlight why a particular model is the best choice.
Which pots and pans can I use on an induction hob?
Unlike other hobs, induction hobs require special cookware. In order to connect to the electric currents beneath the glass, induction pans need to have a magnetic base. It is also important that your induction pots and pans have a flat base. If the base of your pan isn’t flat, you run the risk of uneven cooking as well as scratching the glass hob surface. Not sure whether your pans are induction hob friendly? You can use a magnet to see if the base of your pan is magnetic. However the best way to check is to look for the induction symbol on the base of your pan. You can find out more about induction cooking in Smeg’s handy guide.
Kitchen Hob FAQ’s
Are there any kitchen hob FAQ’s you think we might have missed? If you have any other hob related questions, we are here to help! Please feel free to call our knowledgeable and experienced sales team on 0115 965 1937. We can answer any queries and help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
