How to install a hob

Installing a new hob in your kitchen? Our guide explains everything you need to know to avoid costly and annoying mistakes.

While most like-for-like hob installations are relatively straightforward, upsizing or swapping between electric and gas requires a little extra planning.

Visit our guide to the best hobs when you’re ready to make your purchase.

Switching hob size or location

Switching to an induction hob or from four burners to five may feel like an upgrade, but it’s worth being pragmatic. The same goes if you move your hob from one part of the kitchen to another.

If you want as little cost and complication as possible, stick to the hob size and location you already have.

For most households, the common four-burner setup will be adequate, whether you’re using electric or gas.

• Sizing up If you want more space or you like the idea of a central wok burner, which bigger hob sizes usually include, then the hole in your worktop can be cut to accommodate a larger unit. Competent DIYers or a handyman should be able to do this if the worktop is made from laminate or wood. However, if it’s a harder material like stone, granite or quartz, you may need to replace your worktop, as these can’t be cut in situ.
• Sizing down It’s rare to downsize a hob because doing so will leave you with large gaps around the edges, and replacing the entire worktop or fitting an unsightly trim are the only practical ways of dealing with them. 

If your hob is situated above a cupboard (rather than an oven), you can maximise the space underneath by opting for an induction model. Most are very thin and so take up only a small amount of room.

Choose a perfect replacement with our guides to the best ceramic hobs, best induction hobs and best gas hobs.

Switching between gas and electric

Some people simply prefer cooking with gas – especially those who have bad memories of the old-fashioned cast-iron hob plates. But things have moved on, and induction hobs now offer just as much control and speed as gas.

We generally recommend ditching gas and going electric if you can. It’s cleaner, safer and potentially lowers your carbon footprint. Our run-down of the pros and cons of gas vs induction hobs will help you decide what’s best for you.

If you choose to change your hob’s power source, remember the following:

• Switching from gas to electric means capping your gas line and, in most cases, adding a dedicated electrical circuit, which can be disruptive and expensive. You might also have to splash out on induction hob pans if your current ones aren’t compatible. And while induction hobs are more energy efficient, the cost of gas is still cheaper than electricity.
• Switching from electric to gas is a big job too: adding a gas line means lifting floorboards and carpet. You will still need electricity to power your gas hob’s ignition. Gas hob owners must install a cooker hood or cook with a window open to avoid kitchen air pollution.

In both cases, you could end up needing both an electrician and a gas installer.

Our tough lab tests reveal the best cooker hoods.

Upgrading to a more powerful hob

If you’ve had your old electric hob for a while or you’re buying one with more zones, you’ll need to double-check whether your old one has a plug. These days, most electric hobs are hardwired, which means they require installation by a professional, but plug-in models are still available.

If you upgrade to a wired appliance or your new hob draws more current than your old one, you may need to install a bigger electricity cable. It might also require modifications to your consumer unit or an entirely new one.

Check your consumer unit: if you see a circuit breaker with '40A' printed on it, and a label with the words 'oven/cooker/hob', it's a good indication that you already have the capacity you need for a more powerful cooking appliance.

Many gas hobs don’t need hardwiring but still require a 13A plug to power the ignition.

You shouldn't attempt to hardwire a hob that comes with a plug. 

All our expert hob reviews state whether appliances come supplied with a standard 13A plug or need hardwiring.

Choosing your hob installer

If you don’t already know a trustworthy electrician or gas engineer, use Which? Trusted Traders to track down a local tradesperson endorsed by us who has the relevant certification (Gas Safe or Competent Person Scheme, for example).

Alternatively, most major kitchen appliance retailers will install your new hob and remove the old one for an additional cost. This is likely to be the most straightforward option, assuming you’re not making any wholesale changes to your kitchen layout.

Can I install a hob myself?

Although your DIY skills may be good enough to get the kitchen worktop ready for installation, we’d strongly recommend that you don’t try to fit the hob itself. In addition to your personal safety, instructing a professional ensures that you have some statutory protections if you’re unhappy with the work or something happens to damage your appliance.

It also helps to avoid the risk of invalidating your warranty or guarantee. For example, Ikea’s standard guarantee document for kitchen appliances states: ‘This guarantee does not apply to products that have been stored, assembled or installed incorrectly.’

How to find a reputable trader: accredited tradespeople, avoiding rogue traders, dealing with disputes.

Hob installation costs compared

Be prepared to pay upwards of £100 if you want a retailer to install your new hob and take away the old one.

How much do electricians cost? See how much you can expect to spend

Moving to a new home with an old hob

It’s extremely rare that your vendor will want to take their built-in hob with them when they move, so it will be up to you to ensure that it’s safe to use – and they have no obligation even to clean it before departure.

• If the hob is gas, ask your seller whether there's a gas safety certificate available. If not, for peace of mind, get a Gas Safe-registered engineer to carry out a safety check and ensure the hob is not emitting carbon monoxide. This is best done before you move in, if possible.
• If the hob is electric, you should get an electrician to give it the once-over and issue a safety certificate before you use it.

The previous owners may have left a manual behind, but if not, it's likely you'll find it online.