Hob Buyers Guide

Home

Hobs

Buying Guide

Buying Guide Hobs

Many models of both gas and electric hobs have the exact same countertop cutout, so planning and designing your new kitchen has never been easier:

Hobs today are easier to clean, better looking and offer more cooking flexibility (more precise temperature control, for example) versus the hobs from only a few years ago.
Ceramic hobs are available in gas and electric.
The edge of the hobs is frameless, so it won't trap food and be difficult to clean.
Hobs have available accessories, such as interchangeable burners and grids for grilling.
Downdraft exhaust is available on some electric and gas models. A downdraft hob is perfect for a kitchen island with no overhead exhaust.

Electric Hob Features

Electronic touch-controls on some hobs eliminate the need for knobs.

Smooth ceramic hobs have a sleek appearance and offer easy cleanup.
Electronic touch control eliminates the need for knobs and provides a wipe clean flat surface.
Ceramic hobs are available in a variety of colors to complement any kitchen design.
The ribbon elements on a smooth top hobs heat as quickly as the old coil elements and some are adjustable in size. For example, an adjustable element can accommodate either large or small pans. A triple element can heat a large 9" x 19" griddle or casserole dish.
Some sealed ceramic hobs can be recessed so they are virtually flush with the countertop.
An electronic touch-control hob is available with no knobs. The electronic touch-control makes this hob a great addition to your kitchen's decor. This type of hob offers other features as well:

If an unoccupied element is left on, sensors in the hob will turn off the element.

Sensors adjust the size of the element to the size of pan being used.

The control-lock feature for the elements is a safety feature to prevent accidental activation.

A digital reminder timer alerts you when the cooking time has expired.

Gas hob Features

Sealed surface burners contain spills for easy cleanup. Many hobs are designed with the sealed burners recessed below the surface of the countertop.
Models are available with "gas-on-glass" where the sealed burner is mounted directly on the ceramic hob, offering easy cleaning of an electric smooth top with the performance of gas.
Sealed "simmer" burners allow you to cook delicate foods without using a double boiler.
Precise temperature controls allow you to control the temperature for every cooking need. You can even cook items at very low temperatures without scorching.
One or more sealed "high power" burners, up to 15,000 Btu's, allow you to boil quickly or do other high temperature cooking like frying or cooking with a wok.
Cast-iron, porcelain enamel-coated grates are dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.

Induction Hob Features

Innovative Induction technology uses a magnetic current to generate heat to the bottom of the pan, they are as controllable as gas and are easy to clean, perfect for today’s busy lifestyles.

As the magnetic coil creates friction in particles in the pan the surface of the hob does not generate any heat, only the pan. This can increase the speed to boil a pan of water by 40% and is a lot more efficient than gas or ceramic.