Making sure you purchase the correct hob for your specific culinary needs is important for the functionality of your kitchen. From gas to induction, you can drastically improve your cooking experience.

Whether you're looking to modernise your kitchen with a seamless model or in need of a robust and reliable model, we have the guide for you.

FUEL

The most important consideration to make is which fuel you want for you cooker hob. Currently there are only two options available, electric or gas.

Electric

Available in a variety of model types, electric hobs come in either ceramic, induction or solid plate. Solid plates ensure a sturdy performance, whilst ceramic and induction hobs provide a contemporary look and efficient performance.

Gas

A popular choice amongst professional chefs and keen home cooks, gas hobs provide a fast heat source for quicker cooking results. The easily adjustable flame controls allow flexibility over your culinary creations.

HOT ZONE

When planning a hob installation, it is vital you leave enough space above the hob surface - the Hot Zone. Furthermore, all materials above the hob surface must be fire resistant, including shelves, wallpaper and plug sockets.

For gas hobs, this needs to measure 75cm from the hob surface to the cooker hood, whilst electric hobs this only needs to be 65cm.

MEASUREMENTS

Before installing a new hob, it's crucial you consider the measurements are correct for your kitchen interior.

Firstly, you'll need to check the width. Most hobs vary between 60-90cm, whilst the standard depth measures around 50cm. Then you'll need to match the width of the hob to your cooker hood in order to provide thorough ventilation.

If you decide to install a gas hob above an oven, it's necessary to leave a 2.5cm gap between them to allow air to circulate.

FEATURES

There are so many features with ovens on the market today, but we have listed a few below that you could make sure you look out for.

Wok Burner

If you love cooking delicious Asian-style dishes, it worth looking out for gas hobs with a dedicated wok burner. This powerful ring of flames provides instant heat that quickly fries your food for fantastic flavours.

Easy Cleaning

No one likes having to spend ages cleaning their hob after every use. Luckily ceramic and induction hobs come with a sleek, smooth and shiny glass surface for simple cleaning.

Safety

When purchasing a gas hob, it is important to look out for flame failure devices that automatically cut off the gas supply when a flame cuts out.

Additionally, for touch control ceramic and induction hobs, it can be easy to accidentally switch between temperatures. Luckily most of these come with a lock feature to prevent children from fiddling with the settings.

Pan Detection

With some induction hobs, you'll find that there is a pan detection feature for efficient performance. By using especially designed electromagnets inside the hob, the pan will only heat up when it makes contact with the surface.

HOB FAQs

Since our foundation in 1978, we've sold hundreds of cooker hobs and also been asked the same number of questions. Here is a list of the most common.

What is the difference between hardwired and "plug & play" installation?

All electric and gas hobs will need to be either hardwired or "plug & play" during installation. This means that the hob will come with a plug already attached, or will need to be hardwired into the mains.

Will a gas hob need an electric supply?

It may sound strange, but gas hobs will require an electric supply in order to ignite the gas flame.

Can I switch from electric to gas hobs or vice versa?

You absolutely can! As long as you have a mains supply of the fuel you are switching to, it should be simple to change from gas to electric or the other way round.

How much does it cost to install a hob?

Here at Kitchen Economy we have priced our installation services extremely competitively in the market for the cheapest basket value in South Wales!

• Electric hob - £78
• Gas hob - £78

On average, that puts us £10-£110 cheaper than AO, John Lewis, Currys and Appliances Direct!

So you've decided you want to look for an oven? Luckily you've come to the right place! With lots of options available, it's important to evaluate what is available for your needs.

A popular choice for modern kitchen interiors, built-in ovens fit seamlessly into your worktops for a contemporary look that will be the envy of your guests.

FUEL

The first consideration you'll have to make is which fuel you would like to use. For ovens there are two choices, electric or gas.

Electric

By far the most popular choice, electric ovens are great for a whole multitude of culinary creations. Furthermore, as most electric models use a fan, heat is evenly distributed across the cavity for beautifully browned pastry bottoms.

Gas

Not as common as their electric counterparts, gas ovens are ideal for traditional-style dishes. As these models don't come with a fan motor, the hottest temperatures will be found at the top of the cavity.

CAVITIES

The second decision you'll have to make is how many cavities you will need. This will significantly change your cooking capacity, allowing to feed a large family gathering or a family of four.

Single Oven

Equipped with one large cavity, single ovens come in a variety of sizes. Starting at 65 litres and going up to as much as 115 litres, you'll be able to cook many dishes with ease. They can even be built-in at eye level or built-under your counter top.

Most standard ovens come with a conventional oven, grill and fan options, whilst higher-end models will come with steam functions and self-cleaning options.

Compact Oven

For smaller kitchens with limited counter space, compact ovens are a great option for you. Measuring around just 45cm high, they're about the same size as an integrated microwave and always come as electric.

Double Oven

Looking for larger and convenient cooking capacity? Double ovens come with two cavities for even more room for your culinary creations. The main oven comes with a capacity of around 50-75 litres and a smaller top oven of around 35-60 litres.

Built-Under

If you're looking to make the most out of your under counter space, built-under ovens come with two smaller cavities for flexible cooking. However, these models tend to have a slightly smaller cooking capacity than standard double ovens.

MEASUREMENTS

Ovens tend to only come in one width, letting you install them directly into your kitchen units. Most single, compact, double and built-under ovens tend to measure 59.7cm wide and 56cm deep.

The only measurement you will have to take note of is the height, depending on the number of cavities. Single ovens tend to measure around 60cm high, compact ovens 45cm high, double ovens 90cm high and built-under ovens 70cm high.

FEATURES

There are so many features with ovens on the market today, but we have listed a few below that you could make sure you look out for.

Self-Cleaning Functions

If you're fed up of having to constantly scrub away at stubborn burnt-on grease, grime and dirt, you can look out for self-cleaning functions. There are lots of different cleaning options, but the main two include:

• Pyrolytic cleaning - the oven heats up to extremely high temperatures to burn away food particles.
• Catalytic liners - these especially designed liners automatically absorb grease for hassle-free cleaning.

Fan-Assisted

Ensuring heat is evenly distributed across the cavity, fan-assisted ovens use a fan and motor to encourage hot air to flow across the shelves. This is ideal for amateur bakers looking for perfect bakes with every recipe. 

Steam

To add an extra layer of finesse to your dishes, steam cooking options ensure meats stay moist and cakes remain fluffy and light.

Smart Technology

Do you own an Amazon Alex, Google Home or smartphone? Then you'll need to keep an eye on Smart ovens. This means you'll be able to adjust settings, functions and temperatures wirelessly.

OVEN FAQs

Having sold appliances for over 40 years, we've been asked a plethora of questions during an oven purchase. Here are a few of these.

What is the difference between hardwired and "plug & play" installation?

Most ovens need to be either hardwired or "plug & play" during installation. This means that the electrical cable needs to be wired by an electrician or can be simply plugged into the mains.

What is a conventional oven?

Unlike a convection ovens, a conventional model does not come with a fan motor. These models tend to have two heating elements, one at the base and one at the bottom, to heat up the air inside the cavity.

As the hot air isn't circulated by a fan, conventional ovens have pockets of hotter or cooler air that can result in uneven cooking results.

How much does it cost to install a oven?

Here at Kitchen Economy we have priced our installation services extremely competitively in the market for the cheapest basket value in South Wales!

• Electric oven - £50
• Gas oven - £78

On average, that puts us £20-£110 cheaper than AO, John Lewis, Currys and Appliances Direct!

Before making a cooker purchase, there are a few important considerations to make. At the heart of the kitchen, a cooker can make or break the functionality of this vital space.

Whether you're a keen cook looking to show off to your friends or a busy working family, making an informed choice about your purchase is extremely important.

FUEL

The first decision you'll need to make is the fuel type. There are currently three combinations of fuels that can significantly alter your culinary expeditions.

Gas

The all gas cooker is solely powered by gas across the oven and the hob. This offers an immediate, reliable and precise heat source on the hob, making it a popular choice with professional chefs and enthusiastic home cooks.

The accompanying oven provides a traditional cooking experience with hotter temperatures at the top of the cavity, which is perfect for Sunday roasts.

Electric

Picking an electric cooker gives you three choices over your preferred hob, including solid plate, ceramic and induction. Although the main oven won't heat up as quickly as it's gas counterpart, they often come with a fan evenly distributes the hot air across the cavity.

Consequently, this option tends to be more popular with bakers who need consistent oven temperatures.

Dual Fuel

Combining the benefits of instant hob heat of a gas cooker with the stable oven temperatures of an electric cooker, dual fuel cookers give you the ideal conditions for a variety of dishes.

CAVITIES

The second consideration you'll have to make is the number of cavities you need. This can impact the number of dishes you can cook at the same time, letting you feed small of three all the way to hosting large dinner parties.

Single Cavity

The smallest cooking capacity offered is the single cavity. Equipped with just one main oven and integrated grill, you'll have all the cooking options you need in one location. Often boasting larger oven space, you'll have plenty of space to prepare a hearty family meal.

Twin Cavity

The next step up, twin cavities come with a main oven and a separate grill compartment. Unlike single cavities, you won't quite have the largest oven capacity, but you'll be able to use the grill and oven at the same time.

Double Oven

Finally, the double oven provides the best of the previous options. Coming with one larger main oven and a second smaller oven with integrated grill, you'll be able to cook larger scale meals with ease.

WIDTH

Cookers come in three standard widths, giving you the flexibility to design your kitchen to meet your cooking requirements. Furthermore, this makes it easy when trying to replace an old cooker when the time comes.

The two most common widths are 50cm and 60cm, but there is also a rarer 55cm option should you desire. Other measurements such as height and depth tend to be roughly the same across brands, so you'll have no problem fitting them against your kitchen cabinets.

HOT ZONE

The hot zone is the area directly above the hob surface and it is extremely important that this area only contains heat resistant materials, including plug sockets, shelves and wallpaper.

For both gas and electric hobs, this area needs to measure at least 75cm between the hob surface to the cooker hood.

COOKER FAQs

Over the years we've been asked a wide range of questions during cooker purchases. Here is a list of other common questions we get asked.

Are all gas cookers LPG convertible?

Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this question. Nowadays, most gas cookers are no longer LPG convertible, but there are still cookers that allow this option. We suggest you check the manual before purchasing, as this vary depending on the model.

What cooker features should I look out for?

Many cookers now come with so many features that it can be difficult to decipher which are most important. Here are our recommended lookouts:

• Timer - this is a fairly obvious option, but a lot of cheaper models no longer come with a built-in timer.
• Controls - the control knobs or touch controls on your cooker can drastically change the look of your kitchen.
• Catalytic liners - unlike enamel lined cavities, catalytic liners absorb grease which are then broken down at higher temperatures.
• Pyrolytic cleaning - the next step up above catalytic liners, pyrolytic cleaning heats up the oven to extremely hot temperatures that burns off any dirt.
• Multifunctional oven - many ovens now come with multiple cooking functions that let you use a combination of grilling, fan and even steam.

How much does it cost to install a cooker?

Here at Kitchen Economy we have priced our installation services extremely competitively in the market for the cheapest basket value in South Wales!

• Electric cooker - £42
• Gas cooker - £66
• Dual fuel cooker - £66

On average, that puts us £19-£90 cheaper than AO, John Lewis, Currys and Appliances Direct!