Once you have planned your dream kitchen layout with all the units you’ve been waiting ages to get, don’t forget to consider the appliances that are going to go into your new kitchen, especially the hob as there are quite a few different choices available.
Induction hobs
Induction hobs are one of the newest offerings for your kitchen. The hob, just like the ceramic ones, fits flush with your worktop giving that clean uncluttered feel to your kitchen.
Not only do induction hobs look great but they are incredibly functional as well. Unlike ceramic and electric hobs, it’s not actually the hob that gets hot but the pots and pans that you place on them this is down to the magnetic field the hob creates to warm the induction pans. This is something to remember when choosing a new hob as unless your pans and induction suitable then you’ll need to by some that are!
One way to test your current pots and pans is with a magnet. If the magnet sticks to the base of your pans then they will work with an induction hob.
Induction hobs are the safest you can get for your kitchen as the hob itself never gets hot so these are ideal if you have small children with wandering hands.
Some of the features of induction hobs are:
- Easy clean surface
- Residual heat indicators
- Shatterproof safety glass
- Safety device auto switch off
Cost wise, induction hobs range from around ~£286 upwards.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs are great for faster heating and cooking as the heating elements underneath the glass transfer heat directly to the area that is being used. Some ceramic hobs can even be fitted into the worktop so that they we flush with it
Some of the features of ceramic hobs are:
- Easy clean surface
- Power indicator lights
- Residual heat indicators
- Shatterproof safety glass
Cost wise, ceramic hobs range from around ~£175 upwards.
Electric hobs
The electric hob has been around in it’s current form since 1908 but was classed as a novelty item up until the 1930s, due to the cost of electricity. These days electricity is a lot cheap “depending on your supplier:-)” and these ubiquitous hobs are one of the most popular ones used today, bar the gas ones mentioned below.
The electric hob usually features 4 elevated cooking rings positioned in a stainless steel base. Although the basic electric hobs aren’t much to look at they are extremely practical and easy to use.
Some of the features of electric hobs are:
- 6 power levels
- 4 zones
- Power indicator lights
- Side controls
Cost wise, electric hobs range from around ~£89 upwards.
Gas hobs
In the 1880s the gas stoves/hob came to England and gave us a cheaper and quicker way of cooking our food. Just like electric hobs, gas hobs are extremely popular and even come with 5 hobs to allow you to cook more. A word to mention here is that your gas hob does need space either side of it so that there is space between the edges of the hob and the wall units above it. See the quote below from:
(https://www.bvt.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/ZanussiGasZGL.pdf)
“The minimum distance combustible material can be fitted above the hob in line with the edges of the hob is 400mm. If it is fitted below 400 mm a space of 50 mm must be allowed from the edges of the hob. The minimum distance combustible material can be fitted directly above the hob is 700 mm (i.e. a top box).”
Some of the features of electric hobs are:
- Up to 5 gas hobs
- Ignition system
- Easily detachable components for cleaning
Cost wise, gas hobs range from around ~£115 upwards.
Also…
Don’t forget that you can buy domino hobs, which are basically just 2 rings the form the look of a domino, just a little bit more expensive though:-) These types of domino hob allow you to be a little bit more creative in your kitchen and place hobs where before would not be practically with a full size one.
If you’re wanting the power of gas but quite like the appeal of induction hobs as well then you can opt for a mixed fuel hob and get the benefit of both of them! We have these hobs available in 4 or 5 ring versions.
You can see our range of hobs here…
Download our mobile app
Looking for some kitchen inspiration? Take a look at some of our real customer kitchens, video reviews as well as advice in our mobile app. We’ll also keep you up to date with any new ranges and offers that we have available.
 |
 |
Up to 50% off competitor kitchen prices
At DIY Kitchens, not only do you get a quality rigid built kitchen but you also get it at a fabulous price too! Price your kitchen up on our site and you could see savings of up to 50% off other kitchen quotes that you’ve had.
Take a look at our kitchen price comparison page here.
Real customer kitchens
Get some inspiration for designing your own new kitchen with over 3,000 pictures of our customers’ kitchens that they ordered from us.
I have a standard induction hob going above an under counter oven. I have been advised I need an extractor above and wondered if I had an integrated extractor hood, how do I buy the doors etc for this?
Hi Carolyn, all our appliance doors are available in the ‘Doors’ section at the top of our website and are available in many different sizes.
Which type of base units can take a drop in hob? Or is it that (as long as the width is sufficient) any base unit can take a hob? If I get one with a drawer at the top, does this mean the drawer can’t be opened/used?
Hi Aziz, all our units will allow for a hob above them. If you have a pan drawer with a cutlery draw then a hob is still possible. The article below talks about this – https://advice.diy-kitchens.com/customer-questions/different-types-pan-drawers/
I’m planning on getting from you laminate worktops and back panel behind my hob. What material are the back panels made from, is it MFC as well? And, can I put one on the wall behind my gas hob?
Hi David, the Duropal Splashbacks are made from a High Pressure Laminate (HPL) MDF. It’s fine to put this behind a gas hob.
Hi, can you tell me what the minimum height should be between halogen hob and a concealed extractor fan within a cupboard. I would like to plan having a double row of top boxes in a long run to give a streamlined look but am concerned that the distance between cupboard and hob will be too small?
Please see minimum heights required for regulation purposes on hobs and extractors. Between Electric / Induction and Extractor – Minimum 650mm, Between Gas and Extractor – Minimum 750mm. With regards to the distance at either side of the hob, I would say 300mm should suffice.