Hob Buying Guide

As you would expect with any piece of modern tech, the initial cost of buying an induction hob can be higher than a traditional gas or ceramic hob. You will also need to consider buying new pots and pans, as induction hobs only work with special cookware.

You can simply wipe down an induction hob with a damp cloth after each use to keep it in tip top condition. The flat glass surface doesn’t have any hidden areas where food or grease can get trapped.

Some induction hobs can be considered a little noisier than their counterparts. You may notice a slight humming sound when the hob is in use.

You can expect faster cooking times with an induction hob. This means you can boil water quicker and spend less time waiting for your pan to heat up.

Induction hobs are not suitable for use if you have a pacemaker fitted.

You can easily adjust the temperature on an induction hob. This is great for gentle cooking tasks like melting chocolate or butter as the hob will respond instantly to temperature changes.

Induction cooking doesn’t use any naked flames. As soon as a pan is taken off the hob, the heating element stops working. The area around the pan doesn’t heat up either, resulting in less chance of accidental burns. An induction hob is a great choice if you have young children at home where kitchen safety is even more important.

Gas cooking will result in some heat loss around the sides of the pan, unlike induction cooking which only heats the base of the pan. Cooking with gas also uses fossil fuels which has an impact on greenhouse gas emissions and therefore global warming.

As you can see the flame, it gives you a visual indication whether you need to increase or lower the temperature. Gas hobs usually have easy to operate controls so you can change the intensity of the flame with ease.

Gas hobs have more areas where leftover food and grease can accumulate. This can make cleaning the hob a little more time consuming. Although many gas hobs feature cast iron burners which can be cleaned in the dishwasher, saving you half the job!

Gas hobs have lower running costs than their electric counterparts. Many gas hobs are also cheaper to buy than induction hobs. You are also not limited to specialist cookware as gas hobs can use any type of pan.

Cooking with a naked flame can always pose a risk of a fire or accidental burns. You may want to look at alternative hob types if you have small children or pets in your home.

Rather than having a bulky cooker hood above your hob, you can keep the space above your cooking zone clear, opening up your kitchen. This type of hob works especially well in an open plan kitchen, installed into an island.

Air venting induction hobs are more expensive than standard hobs due to their extra functionality.

Air venting induction hobs look modern and stylish. You can choose from a variety of finishes to complement your kitchen.

You’ll need to hire a professional to fit your air venting induction hob to ensure the ducting is working correctly.

This includes being easy to keep clean and that it is safer to use than gas. You can also enjoy rapid heat and energy efficient cooking with an induction hob.

As with a standard induction hob, you’ll need to ensure your pans are compatible with your air venting induction hob. This type of hob only works with specialist pans which can add to your initial outlay.

Ceramic hobs can be scratched when you move pans from one zone to another. It is important to take extra care while using a ceramic hob as they aren’t as durable as induction hobs which are made of tougher glass. Ceramic glass can be damaged by heavier items and repairs can be expensive.

You can keep a ceramic hob looking brand new with little maintenance. The flat surface is easy to wipe clean with a damp microfibre cloth.

The heat distribution can be uneven with a ceramic hob which can affect your cooking results.

You can achieve a streamlined look as ceramic hobs sit almost flush to the worktop and are easy for your kitchen fitter to install.

Domino hobs tend to only have one or two cooking zones, so unless you are combining several models, you will be fairly limited on cooking space.

If you enjoy particular styles of cooking, you can choose a domino hob to suit that. For example, if you make lots of stir fries you might want to choose a wok burner domino hob to recreate a more authentic dish. Similarly you can choose a deep fat fryer or a BBQ modular hob to make the meals you like the most.

You may need to buy several domino hobs to achieve the cooking zone you want, which could be costly. If you opt for induction domino hobs, you would also need to consider that these need special pots and pans.

Domino hobs are typically smaller than other hob types, making them ideal in compact kitchens. If you’re cooking for one, having a smaller hob takes up less room yet still provides enough space for 1-2 pans.

If you’re planning on adding multiple domino hobs, this will require careful planning and installing. You’ll need to be sure that the hobs you choose can fit the space you require. If you want the cooking area to look seamless, you’ll need to choose matching domino hobs for a matching aesthetic.