Kitchen Planning: Is a Gas or Electric Hob Right for You?
Need help deciding which hob to buy? The first in a two-part guide looks at the pros and cons of gas, ceramic and induction hobs
Sophie Baylis
5 June 2015
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of experience writing about interiors for leading magazines in the UK and overseas. Follow me at @InteriorsInOut on Facebook and Twitter.
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of... More
A kitchen hob is expected to be on hand from dawn till dusk, so it’s well worth researching the various options available to find one that not only suits your style of cooking, but will stand the test of time. A good starting point when deciding which hob to choose is knowing whether you want gas, electric – or both. Read on to discover more about each type.
Professional advice from:
Hayley Zamur of CookersAndOvens
Sarah McCrossan of Herbert William
Joan Fraser of Smeg
Professional advice from:
Hayley Zamur of CookersAndOvens
Sarah McCrossan of Herbert William
Joan Fraser of Smeg
Gas hobs
A standard gas hob features four or five burners and a manual ignition switch that lights the gas burner you wish to use. Easy-to-turn knobs that enable you to control the flames are generally located in a row at the front of the hob or to one side of the burners. A gas hob must be installed by a qualified professional.
Pros Gas hobs have traditionally been the choice of professional chefs as they offer instant heat that’s completely controllable and evenly distributed. ‘Gas hobs are also incredibly easy to install, and many can be converted to accept liquid petroleum gas (LPG) if mains gas is not available,’ explains Hayley Zamur of CookersAndOvens.
Cons Pan supports sometimes make it tricky to clean a gas hob, particularly when compared to the flat, smooth surface of a ceramic or induction hob.
A standard gas hob features four or five burners and a manual ignition switch that lights the gas burner you wish to use. Easy-to-turn knobs that enable you to control the flames are generally located in a row at the front of the hob or to one side of the burners. A gas hob must be installed by a qualified professional.
Pros Gas hobs have traditionally been the choice of professional chefs as they offer instant heat that’s completely controllable and evenly distributed. ‘Gas hobs are also incredibly easy to install, and many can be converted to accept liquid petroleum gas (LPG) if mains gas is not available,’ explains Hayley Zamur of CookersAndOvens.
Cons Pan supports sometimes make it tricky to clean a gas hob, particularly when compared to the flat, smooth surface of a ceramic or induction hob.
Gas hobs and energy efficiency
Gas hobs have advanced in terms of energy efficiency in recent years. ‘Many gas hobs now include an optimal burner, where the flame runs vertically rather than horizontally and only spreads to the edge of the pan to significantly reduce energy use,’ explains Joan Fraser of Smeg. ‘In fact, optimal burners can result in an energy saving of at least 10 per cent.’
Gas hobs have advanced in terms of energy efficiency in recent years. ‘Many gas hobs now include an optimal burner, where the flame runs vertically rather than horizontally and only spreads to the edge of the pan to significantly reduce energy use,’ explains Joan Fraser of Smeg. ‘In fact, optimal burners can result in an energy saving of at least 10 per cent.’
Surface materials for gas hobs
Gas hobs are generally available in glass or stainless steel. Glass, as seen here, is more expensive than stainless steel, so keep this in mind when budgeting for your new hob.
Glass Glass gas hobs generally come in black or white and, thanks to the smooth surface, are easy to wipe clean. ‘The down side is that if your pans boil over or you spill something, it will run everywhere,’ says Hayley.
Stainless steel ‘Stainless steel hobs often have raised sections that will restrict any spills to just that section of the hob,’ says Hayley. But while stainless steel looks fantastic, it can be difficult to keep clean and shiny. Invest in quality stainless steel cleaning products or an e-cloth to help maintain its good looks.
Chosen your hob? Now get expert advice on picking the perfect extractor
Gas hobs are generally available in glass or stainless steel. Glass, as seen here, is more expensive than stainless steel, so keep this in mind when budgeting for your new hob.
Glass Glass gas hobs generally come in black or white and, thanks to the smooth surface, are easy to wipe clean. ‘The down side is that if your pans boil over or you spill something, it will run everywhere,’ says Hayley.
Stainless steel ‘Stainless steel hobs often have raised sections that will restrict any spills to just that section of the hob,’ says Hayley. But while stainless steel looks fantastic, it can be difficult to keep clean and shiny. Invest in quality stainless steel cleaning products or an e-cloth to help maintain its good looks.
Chosen your hob? Now get expert advice on picking the perfect extractor
Electric hobs
Modern electric hobs fall into two categories: ceramic and induction. Although the two technologies provide different cooking results, they also have a number of characteristics in common.
For example, ceramic and induction hobs both offer the same streamlined glass look. The smooth surface makes these hobs really easy to clean, with no pan supports to scrub – a job no one enjoys doing.
‘Electric hobs are also very practical if you live in a rural area where mains gas isn’t available,’ says Hayley. ‘If you have children, many electric hobs come with a number of safety features, such as hot indicators to show when a zone is still hot to the touch, and locks that stop the hob from being operational until the right combination of buttons is pressed.’
Modern electric hobs fall into two categories: ceramic and induction. Although the two technologies provide different cooking results, they also have a number of characteristics in common.
For example, ceramic and induction hobs both offer the same streamlined glass look. The smooth surface makes these hobs really easy to clean, with no pan supports to scrub – a job no one enjoys doing.
‘Electric hobs are also very practical if you live in a rural area where mains gas isn’t available,’ says Hayley. ‘If you have children, many electric hobs come with a number of safety features, such as hot indicators to show when a zone is still hot to the touch, and locks that stop the hob from being operational until the right combination of buttons is pressed.’
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs are a great choice for people who have a limited budget. They are often a lot cheaper than their induction equivalents and come in a vast number of styles and sizes to suit any kitchen.
Pros ‘A ceramic hob is streamlined in appearance and its flat surface means it’s straightforward to clean,’ explains Sarah McCrossan of Herbert William. ‘Unlike induction hobs, a ceramic hob does not require any specific type of pan.’
Cons Ceramic hobs are often slower to heat up than gas or induction hobs and are less easy to control. Unlike induction hobs – which only heat the pan and its contents – the surface of a ceramic hob gets hot. ‘So if a pan overspills, you can end up with a burnt residue that’s not so easy to clean,’ adds Sarah.
Find inspiration for laying out a galley kitchen
Ceramic hobs are a great choice for people who have a limited budget. They are often a lot cheaper than their induction equivalents and come in a vast number of styles and sizes to suit any kitchen.
Pros ‘A ceramic hob is streamlined in appearance and its flat surface means it’s straightforward to clean,’ explains Sarah McCrossan of Herbert William. ‘Unlike induction hobs, a ceramic hob does not require any specific type of pan.’
Cons Ceramic hobs are often slower to heat up than gas or induction hobs and are less easy to control. Unlike induction hobs – which only heat the pan and its contents – the surface of a ceramic hob gets hot. ‘So if a pan overspills, you can end up with a burnt residue that’s not so easy to clean,’ adds Sarah.
Find inspiration for laying out a galley kitchen
Induction hobs
Induction technology is completely different to ceramic, and uses magnetism to heat just the pan, not the hob top. This means heat permeates the food incredibly quickly.
‘Because induction only heats the pan, it’s energy efficient as well as being a very safe option, as it minimises the risk of burns during and after cooking,’ explains Hayley. ‘We recently demonstrated this in our showroom by cutting a frying pan in half and attempting to fry an egg. The side of the egg in the pan started to cook quickly, but the other side of the egg on the hob remained completely raw.’
Pros In addition to its reputation for safety and energy efficiency, the temperature controls on a quality induction hob allow you to tweak the level of heat in small increments, giving you excellent controllability.
Cons Induction hobs are generally more expensive than ceramic or gas hobs. Plus, a lot of people can be put off induction because they only work with pans made of ferrous metal. The good news, however, is that your current pan set may actually already be suitable.
‘A quick test is to see whether a magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan. If it does, then your pans should be suitable for an induction hob,’ explains Hayley. ‘Nevertheless, induction pan sets have very much come down in price, and are often not much more expensive than a regular set.’
Induction technology is completely different to ceramic, and uses magnetism to heat just the pan, not the hob top. This means heat permeates the food incredibly quickly.
‘Because induction only heats the pan, it’s energy efficient as well as being a very safe option, as it minimises the risk of burns during and after cooking,’ explains Hayley. ‘We recently demonstrated this in our showroom by cutting a frying pan in half and attempting to fry an egg. The side of the egg in the pan started to cook quickly, but the other side of the egg on the hob remained completely raw.’
Pros In addition to its reputation for safety and energy efficiency, the temperature controls on a quality induction hob allow you to tweak the level of heat in small increments, giving you excellent controllability.
Cons Induction hobs are generally more expensive than ceramic or gas hobs. Plus, a lot of people can be put off induction because they only work with pans made of ferrous metal. The good news, however, is that your current pan set may actually already be suitable.
‘A quick test is to see whether a magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan. If it does, then your pans should be suitable for an induction hob,’ explains Hayley. ‘Nevertheless, induction pan sets have very much come down in price, and are often not much more expensive than a regular set.’
Zoneless induction cooking
Zoneless induction hobs are incredibly versatile and therefore increasingly popular. Instead of having a number of designated cooking zones, you can place your saucepans anywhere on the surface of a zoneless hob. ‘This provides you with ultimate flexibility, as the hob automatically detects the pan on the surface and heats the individual induction coils as appropriate,’ explains Hayley.
The benefit of this is that you you can use any size of pan. ‘Models that automatically detect the size and position of a pan save on energy, as they only heat that exact spot,’ adds Joan.
Zoneless induction hobs are incredibly versatile and therefore increasingly popular. Instead of having a number of designated cooking zones, you can place your saucepans anywhere on the surface of a zoneless hob. ‘This provides you with ultimate flexibility, as the hob automatically detects the pan on the surface and heats the individual induction coils as appropriate,’ explains Hayley.
The benefit of this is that you you can use any size of pan. ‘Models that automatically detect the size and position of a pan save on energy, as they only heat that exact spot,’ adds Joan.
Innovative induction features
Induction hobs feature a host of clever functions to make them easy to use. Some come with a removable magnetic dial, which you simply point towards the zone you want to use and twist to select the heat intensity.
‘If the doorbell or phone rings while you’re busy cooking on the hob, there’s no need to turn off each zone, as simply removing the control dial instantly kills all the zones,’ says Hayley. ‘Don’t worry if you lose the dial, either – these hobs can still be activated manually if needed.’
Induction hobs feature a host of clever functions to make them easy to use. Some come with a removable magnetic dial, which you simply point towards the zone you want to use and twist to select the heat intensity.
‘If the doorbell or phone rings while you’re busy cooking on the hob, there’s no need to turn off each zone, as simply removing the control dial instantly kills all the zones,’ says Hayley. ‘Don’t worry if you lose the dial, either – these hobs can still be activated manually if needed.’
Best of both
If you can’t choose between gas or electric, invest in a dual-fuel hob that reaps the benefits of both. Usually, a single wok burner is placed alongside several induction zones, as seen here.
Read part two of this guide to hobs: How to pick the best position and layout for your hob
TELL US…
Which type of hob power do you prefer and why? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
If you can’t choose between gas or electric, invest in a dual-fuel hob that reaps the benefits of both. Usually, a single wok burner is placed alongside several induction zones, as seen here.
Read part two of this guide to hobs: How to pick the best position and layout for your hob
TELL US…
Which type of hob power do you prefer and why? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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I don't know who Sarah is, but her point about the raised edge to collect spillage is absolutely spot on.
jim beggs RIBA
home cook /cleaner to myself
I've cooked with heirloom cast-iron cookware over gas all my life. 6 months ago I retired and downsized into a new house with a ceramic induction hob and wasted 2 hours, instruction book (not well written) in hand, failing to even set the clock. Don't buy a hob like this unless you already know how to use one, or you have a degree in engineering. The controls are complicated, and instructions for using them hard to remember.
The hob manufacturer blithely informed me that unless my cookware was smooth on the bottom (mine isn't) I would have to invest in a new set of cookware for the hob. No way-- i love my collection of cast-iron. Some pieces have passed down from my great-grandmother.
Since I live alone and don't cook for a family, I am content for now to use my cast iron dutch oven, pots, and pans on a low-wattage hotplate atop the fancy hob.
As soon as I can afford, I shall have the ceramic hob replaced with a gas cook-cop.
I'm with you, Adrian. Function should determine form, and not the other way around. I also have cast-iron pots, which is why I prefer an eye-level cooker so I can see what's going on, stir or add ingredients. No way could I safely lift a full and very hot pot from a cooker placed under the hob, let alone clean it.