Hob reviews: FAQs
Induction hobs - how do they work?
Look for the induction symbol on pan-bottoms
A coil beneath the cooking zones on the hob produces a magnetic field. When a pan is placed on a cooking zone, energy transfers and the pan heats up.
Because only the pans become hot, spillages are easy to wipe clean. Any residual heat on the cooking zone is from the pan bottom.
To see how induction hobs work, take a look at our video of the AEG-Electrolux Maxisense hob in action at the Ideal Home Show.
What type of pans should I use on induction hobs?
Iron based pans are needed for induction hobs
You’ll need to have pans made of steel or iron if you're cooking on an induction hob – so aluminium, copper, ceramic and glass are no good.
If a magnet sticks to the bottom of your pan, it will be compatible. To make sure, look for the induction coil symbol on pans.
Pans also have to be the right size – check out the minimum diameter measurements in the hob's instructions. And make sure your pans aren’t dented – if they are, this could lead to the hob not working.
Gas hobs in flats - what should I look for?
FSDs cut off the gas supply should burners fail to ignite or get blown out
If you live in a flat or other multi-use dwelling and you're looking for a gas hob to buy, make sure it has flame supervision devices (FSDs) attached to each of the hob burners.
These cut off the gas supply should the burners fail to ignite or the flame get blown out after ignition.If you buy a gas hob without FSDs, Gas Safe registered engineers won't be able to install it for you.
Which type of hob is quickest?
If speed of heating matters to you, make sure you buy the right type of hob – otherwise you could be left hanging around while your pots are slowly brought to the boil. If speed is your number one priority, you won't go wrong with an induction hob. In our tests they took four minutes less than gas hobs to boil a pan of water.
| Boil times for different hobs | |
|---|---|
| Hob type | Time to boil 1.5 litres of water |
| Induction | 5 mins 53 seconds |
| Conventional gas | 9 mins 51 seconds |
| Gas on glass | 9 mins 57 seconds |
Which type of hob is easiest to clean?
Because only the pans will become hot on induction hobs, spillages don't burn on to the hob surface, which makes them very easy to wipe clean.
Gas-on-glass hobs with their smooth glass surfaces are easier to wipe clean than traditional gas models, as there aren’t the troughs for spillages to run into.
How do I get a hob installed?
Once you've bought your hob you'll need to get it installed by a professional – the Gas Safe Register and Which? Local will help you find fitters in your area.
Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer
Gas hob installation
Gas cooking appliances will need to be professionally installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Visit the Gas Safe Register site to find one in your area.
Electric hob installation
To get an electric hob fitted, hire an electrician to do the work for you. This is usually something that the shop will be able to arrange for you, so make sure you ask what they provide in terms of installation when you buy.
If you need to hire a professional, use Which? Local to find an electrician recommended by Which? members in your area.
