A bit of a random question, but, what hobs do you all use? I have only ever used gas but the missus used electric. I am a bit out of date with energy
and what is best so thought id ask on here
I presume electric hob only needs 13a whereas the oven needs 32a?
Reason for asking is i am reviving a small kitchen on a smallish budget
Thanks
N1
many single electric ovens run on 13A plug. A normal 4 ring hob will need a 32A breaker and 6mm cable.
Cheap electric hobs are horrible (in my humble opinion). Gas hobs are the default 'smallish budget' option, but induction hobs are the best.
A bog standard electric oven from somewhere like Curry's actually come with a fitted 13A plug. Electric hobs do need their own fused spur and
induction hobs in particular need very high amps.
Definitely an induction hob - the controllability and rate of change of heating of a gas hob, combined with an easily cleanable flat top.
Bear in mind that for an old codger like me with a Pacemaker in his chest, Induction hobs have to be used with caution as the magnetic field of the hob can wreck the pacemaker, also you need the correct pans fo the hob.
quote:
Originally posted by Schrodinger
Bear in mind that for an old codger like me with a Pacemaker in his chest, Induction hobs have to be used with caution as the magnetic field of the hob can wreck the pacemaker, also you need the correct pans fo the hob.
I'm not a fan of induction hobs, they never feel as controllable or as capable as fire and I never find the power varies linearly with the
numbers on the dial. But currently have a halogen hob in a rental, and it's the worst thing I've ever used - can't boil a pan because
it doesn't stay on 100% even when set to max. It pulses the full output to moderate heat, so stuff just burns, then cools, burns then cools.
Given elec is still 4x gas price per KWh, in a small cheap kitchen I'd go gas.
[Edited on 2/10/2024 by coyoteboy]
Always had electric ovens, typically with a 13A connection.
And a gas hob.
Benefit being you can cook on the hob during an electric power cut.
If re-doing the kitchen, SWMBO might prefer an induction hob. Might be a hassle to get the wiring from consumer unit to kitchen, but I'm sure
electrician's have ways.
Love our induction hob. However it requires a dedicated 32A supply.
There are induction hobs that will work on 13A plugs but they're limited in power and you lose the ability to get heat into things quickly so
(IMO) I'd rather have a gas hob than a limited power induction.
Just an FYI, I used these when putting my ovens in - made the installation much easier...
https://www.screwfix.com/p/greenbrook-20a-3-way-lever-lighting-connector-with-quick-click-push-fit-terminals/326PG?gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&g
clid=EAIaIQobChMIn7yWl73viAMVTJNQBh26sAxZEAQYAiABEgL5lPD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
I'm not a fan of induction hobs, they never feel as controllable or as capable as fire and I never find the power varies linearly with the numbers on the dial. But currently have a halogen hob in a rental, and it's the worst thing I've ever used - can't boil a pan because it doesn't stay on 100% even when set to max. It pulses the full output to moderate heat, so stuff just burns, then cools, burns then cools.
Given elec is still 4x gas price per KWh, in a small cheap kitchen I'd go gas.
[Edited on 2/10/2024 by coyoteboy]
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Benefit being you can cook on the hob during an electric power cut.
quote:
Originally posted by Schrodinger
Bear in mind that for an old codger like me with a Pacemaker in his chest, Induction hobs have to be used with caution as the magnetic field of the hob can wreck the pacemaker,
quote:
Originally posted by stevebubs
There are induction hobs that will work on 13A plugs but they're limited in power .
quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Benefit being you can cook on the hob during an electric power cut.
most gas hobs plug in the electricity for the ignition spark, during a power cut you have to light it with a match.
Had a induction hob for a few years now and it’s brilliant, only thing I don’t like about it is the touch controls they can be a little temperamental especially if they are damp from cleaning the hob
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
quote:
Originally posted by gremlin1234
quote:
Originally posted by nick205
Benefit being you can cook on the hob during an electric power cut.
most gas hobs plug in the electricity for the ignition spark, during a power cut you have to light it with a match.
Agreed, our gas hobs have electric sparks to get them going, but a match does just as well.
Just to add, some new induction hobs can be programmed to not use more than 13a. Most of the time you won't notice the difference, it just alternates which ones are active. I personally use an old electric hob, took it out of someone's kitchen 7 years ago and put it in mine. Still works mint!
We have an induction hob & yes, they are great. However in terms of cost a gas hob has to be way cheaper, no "specific" pans, uses slightly more kW power, but at around 7p a unit rather than around 4 times that. As long as you have gas already there, then far cheaper to install & they require virtually no maintenance & last forever!
Thanks for all the replies. Some very interesting points raised.
I ended up going for a gas hob for ease as there is already gas behind the unit.
Thanks
N1
quote:
Originally posted by number-1
Thanks for all the replies. Some very interesting points raised.
I ended up going for a gas hob for ease as there is already gas behind the unit.
Thanks
N1
Oddly enough, for some electrical work, you have to have a qualified electrician do it or have it inspected by Building Control, but for gas work on
your own house, you can do it yourself, as long as you are "competent" (the legislation uses that word and does not refer to any
qualifications, experience or registers) - presumably if it blows up, you weren't competent! Gas Safe is actually only relevant for paid work,
although they try to convince everyone otherwise, as Corgi did before.
Personally, I trust myself more than the "professionals" - having found a leak in the supply side of the pipework at my parents' house,
after four visits by professionals failed to find any problem and having had a meter installed when I moved in and the system leak tested and declared
okay, when the pipe to the boiler had a loose blanking cap sat on the end and was in no way gas-tight.