Montpellier’s guide to buying the right hob
Energy Efficiency
Under current legislation, hobs do not require an energy label so do not have an energy rating. The most efficient type of hob currently is an induction hob, as it heats the pan directly, rather than the hob surface.
Sizes
Standard hobs come with either two, four or five cooking zones. However, the dimensions for each size of hob can differ quite a lot. Always check the dimensions of a new hob before you buy to make sure it will fit in the space on your work surface.
Two cooking zones
Also called a ‘domino’ hob, the standard dimensions are around 29cm wide and 52cm deep.
Four cooking zones
Standard dimensions are usually around 59cm wide and around 52cmm deep.
Five cooking zones
Types
There are four types of hob; Solid Plate, Ceramic, Induction and Gas. Discover below, a little more about each option.
A stainless steel or enamel (which is usually white or black) base with metal hob plates.
How does it work?
Each plate is a sealed electric element that slowly heats up your pots and pans.
Benefits
Easy to install
Simple to use
Available in electric
Most affordable hob on the market
Easy to wipe clean
A black toughened glass surface with either rotary or touch controls.
How does it work?
Electric coils beneath the surface heat up and this heat transfers to your pots and pans.
Benefits
Easy to clean
Simple to use
Easy to install, especially Plug and Play
Available in electric
Available to hardwire or with a 13 amp plug
Individual zone timers
Great for students and older people
A black toughened glass ceramic surface with touch controls.
How does it work?
Induction hobs work similarly to a ceramic hob with the main difference being the way they heat. Induction hobs heat your pots and pans via magnetic coils which induct an electric current directly to the pots and pans only.
This eliminates wasted energy as it will only work when the pot or pan is placed on the hob.
This form of cooking also enables more instant heat making it faster , safer and more responsive than other heat sources.
Benefits
Less energy used
Only heats the area under the pot or pan via residual heat
Easy to install
Easy to clean (the surface temperature is significantly reduced so avoids any burning of spilt liquids and foods)
Simple to use
Hardwire or 13 amp plug
Super quick heat
Note: Pots and pans used on an induction hob must have a high iron content. A simple test is to see if a magnet sticks to the base.
A choice of stainless steel with enamel or cast iron pan supports or black glass with cast iron pan supports. All gas hobs have rotary controls.
How does it work?
An electrical supply is required to ignite the gas. Either the gas pipe is attached to the gas mains in your home, or if there is no gas mains, to an LPG gas canister. Most new gas hobs have an automatic ignition.
Benefits
Super quick heat
Easy to control
Simple to use
