The Best Gas Hobs

Gas hobs deliver responsive controls and rapid heating. A favourite of professional chefs worldwide, they’re often considered to be the most versatile and effective cooktop you can get.

Buying your oven and hob separately allows you unparalleled flexibility when it comes to designing your kitchen. Hobs come in lots of great designs, but if you have a gas hook-up, then it’s a no-brainer. Despite not having the sleek look of electric and induction models, gas cooktops win hands down when it comes to cooking power and technique.

When you light a gas hob the flames immediately provide the temperature, you’re looking for. This means that you can sear, braise and flambé in ways that you’ll never achieve with anything else. I’ve found five of the best models that offer incredible value for money and durability.

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Best Gas Hobs

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NEFF T26CR51S0

Luxurious style meets flawless performance in the NEFF T26CR51S0. This stunning gas hob features a black tempered glass surface that will add a touch of class to any kitchen. The glass makes it easy to clean up any spills or stains quickly, but disappointingly it’s quick to pick up marks and needs regular wiping to look like new.

Each of the four burners comes with its own sturdy steel pan support. Marrying the best of both cast-iron and enamel pan supports, stainless steel pan supports are both durable and easy to clean. And, since these are relatively small, they fit comfortably in the dishwasher. I did find that they slip out of position easily, but with careful use, it wasn’t too much of an issue.

As expected, the NEFF T26CR51S0 performs at your whim with precise, even heat from powerful, responsive burners. The massive 3.3kW burner is perfect for boiling water or wok cooking, while the 1.0kW eco-burner is better for small, everyday meals and side dishes. Whatever you’re cooking, this stunning gas hob won’t disappoint.

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BOSCH PBH6B5B60

The BOSCH PBH6B5B60 is a stylish mid-range gas hob well-suited to contemporary kitchens with its polished stainless steel and rugged cast-iron pan supports. The manual ignition lights as soon as you press down on the knob, unlike some gas hobs which frankly complicate the process. When the hob needs cleaning, just lift the pan-supports off in two pieces and wipe the surface with a damp towel. If you keep on top of this and wipe it down every day, it’s likely to stay looking smart but, like most gas hobs, it’s a nightmare to clean if you let any spills build up.

The gas burners provide reliable heat and the flames are well-positioned and incredibly even. Each one has dozens of jets of carefully controlled flame, ensuring that your pans never develop hot spots. If you’re used to the uneven, unpredictable flames from poorly made gas hobs, this one could change your life.

It’s clear that care and attention have gone into every inch of this excellent gas hob, from the quality burner rings to the engraved temperature indicators. That’s why Bosch’s choice to use plastic knobs on this model is so perplexing. In addition to looking and feeling cheap, they also get hot when cooking for extended periods. Despite this, I stand behind the BOSCH PBH6B5B60 as one of the very best gas hobs available.

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KENWOOD KHG603SS

With a design that could have come straight from a chic industrial kitchen, the KENWOOD KHG603SS certainly looks the part. Made of thick, well-finished stainless steel and paired with robust cast-iron pan supports, you get a sense of this hob’s exceptional quality before cooking on it. No one would ever suspect that it costs so little!

It also performs like a much more expensive model, featuring three sizes of burner. The large 3.5kW ring is particularly impressive. You can use it with large stew pots, big batches of pasta, or even with a wok. The largest burner includes a wok ring that makes cooking Asian-style dishes easy. The strong cast-iron pan supports are suitable for even the largest, heaviest pots and pans. They never rattle or cause pots to slide around like those found on cheaper gas hobs.

Enjoy reliable automatic ignition that works the first time, every time. Setting the burners is simple using stylish metal dials. These knobs turn smoothly and are extremely responsive when setting temperature. From the smallest to the largest flames, there’s a great variance of temperatures achievable with each burner.

The only problem I have with the KENWOOD KHG603SS was poor burner placement. Oddly, they’re located in the far corners of the hob. This gives you plenty of space between burners, but less total room for your pots because they don’t sit directly over the supports. The unusual burner placement isn’t a deal-breaker, but it’s a slightly odd feature of this otherwise excellent gas hob.

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BEKO HIZG64120SX

The affordable BEKO HIZG64120SX has a smart, stainless-steel surface, metallic knobs and enamel pan supports. You get a useful variety of burner sizes, including two medium 2.0kW burners, one sizeable 2.9kW burner and one small 1.0kW.

The ignition is automatic, which feels like a feature that you’d expect from a more expensive model. The overall appearance and functionality are top-notch, but unfortunately, the pan supports are thin and not as sturdy as I’d like. While this is to be expected in such an inexpensive gas hob, it’s something to consider if you’re clumsy in the kitchen.

Although the surface of this hob wipes down quickly, it’s quick to pick up marks or stains, particularly if you spill oil on it. Complete with a 2-year guarantee, the BEKO HIZG64120SX is another excellent choice for shoppers looking for a deal.

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Best Value: ESSENTIALS CGHOBX16

The best gas hobs don’t always cost a fortune. That fact is no more evident than with the ESSENTIALS CGHOBX16. This simple gas burner is about as cheap as it gets, but don’t let the price fool you. This is a fully functional, dependable, and responsive hob that’s worth your consideration.

This hob includes four burners of three different sizes, including two medium 2.0kW burners, one large 2.9kW burner and one small 1.0kW burner. The automatic ignition is fairly reliable, though it sometimes takes a few seconds to light.

Predictably, this bargain gas hob comes with some pretty flimsy enamel pan supports. At least the enamel, like the hob itself, is easy to keep clean. The burners themselves are another saving grace. While some cheap gas hobs seem to have just a few levels of flame, the ESSENTIALS CGHOBB16’s burners have a broader range of power levels.

The ESSENTIALS CGHOBX16 is perfect when you’re shopping on a strict budget and don’t mind a few negatives like narrow pan supports and plastic knobs.

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What is a gas hob?

The term “gas hob” usually refers to a cooking device that uses natural gas as fuel, but some hobs also use propane or other liquefied petroleum gases.

There are several benefits of using a gas hob for cooking:

• Gas hobs provide instant heat, so you can start cooking sooner than with an electric hob.
• The flames on a gas hob can be adjusted to different heights, allowing you to cook at different temperatures.
• Gas hobs are often more responsive than electric hobs, meaning that you can adjust the heat easily when cooking.

Gas vs Electric Hobs

Gas vs Electric, what’s the difference?

When considering gas hobs vs electric hobs, it’s important to consider which is best suited to your cooking style.

Cooking on a gas hob can be faster because the flame heats up more quickly than an electric element. Also, gas hobs are more responsive to adjustments, whereas electric will take longer to cool or heat when you adjust the temperature.

The three types of Gas Hobs

There are three types of gas hobs – glass, ceramic and standard.

Glass Hobs

Glass hobs are the most expensive but they look great and can be easily cleaned. They usually have four or five burners. Glass hobs are sleek and modern with a smooth surface that makes them easy to clean. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them a good choice for small kitchens.

Ceramic Hobs

These are cheaper than glass and don’t shatter if they’re accidentally knocked. Ceramic hobs are the most popular type of hob, they have an enamelled surface that is easy to clean and heat up quickly. They also come in a range of sizes and shapes, so they’re a good choice for any kitchen. Ceramic hobs usually have either two or four burners.

Standard

Standard gas hobs are the cheapest option and are available in a range of different sizes. They are the most affordable option and are available in a variety of sizes and shapes.

Which Gas Hob is right for you?

When purchasing a new gas hob, it’s important to consider the features that are most important to you. Some of the key factors to consider include:

• The size of the hob – will it fit in your kitchen?
• The number of burners – how many do you need?
• The type of burner – some hobs have flat ceramic burners while others have cast-iron grates with rings that can be raised or lowered.
• Whether or not the hob has an automatic ignition – this is handy if you don’t want to use a lighter or matches.

Conclusion

Not only are gas hobs great to cook with, but they’re also well-priced and if you choose wisely, it’s relatively easy to grab a bargain. Even the most expensive items on this list deliver more in terms of functionality, style and responsive cooking than you’d expect to get at two-thirds the price.

If you’ve any questions regarding gas hobs or think I’ve missed some products out that you’d like me to add, please leave a message in the comments section below.