Appliance buying advice

Hobs: types, power and care

Compare solid plate, ceramic and induction hobs, with practical advice on fitting and pan care.

Choosing

Solid plate: Traditional electric metal plates heat the pan by contact. Usually the budget option, but slower to heat up and cool down. A typical four-plate hob is around 6kW and normally hard-wired.
Ceramic: Electric elements heat zones beneath a smooth glass-ceramic surface. Works with most suitable flat-based pans; the glass stays hot after use. Typical four-zone models are around 6–7kW and normally hard-wired.
Induction: Magnetic technology heats the pan directly for fast, responsive cooking. Needs induction-compatible pans with magnetic bases. Standard four-zone models are often around 7.2–7.4kW and hard-wired; selected 13A plug-in models are also available.

Hard-wired hobs: Connect to a suitable cooker circuit, commonly 32A for standard four-zone models. A qualified electrician must check the exact hob rating, existing circuit and manufacturer’s instructions, including any oven sharing the supply. These hobs must not be fitted with an ordinary 13A plug.
13A plug-in hobs: Only models specifically approved for a UK 13A socket can plug in. Usually limited to about 3kW in total, they share available power between zones, so several pans cannot all heat at full power together. Check whether a plug is supplied.
Measure before ordering: Check the worktop cut-out, hob depth, ventilation and clearances above and below against the installation drawing. Bring your measurements, model number and a photo of the existing connection.

Lift, don’t slide: Do not drag or slide pans across ceramic or induction glass. Dirty, gritty or rough bases, especially on older pans, can scratch the surface. Keep pan bases and the hob clean, and use smooth, flat-based cookware.
Clean with care: Follow the model’s cleaning instructions and avoid abrasive scourers. Ceramic and induction glass can remain hot after cooking; check the residual-heat indicator.

Common mistakes & simple checks

Scratched glass: Keep pan bases clean and smooth. Lift pans instead of sliding them over ceramic or induction glass.
Induction will not detect a pan: Check that the pan is induction-compatible, correctly centred and meets the zone’s minimum base size in the manual.
Less power with several pans: Some hobs share power between zones, especially 13A plug-in models. Check the model’s power-management instructions.

Follow your exact model’s manual. If a problem continues, contact the shop with the model number and any error code.

We hold a limited selection of hobs in store and can order others in. Contact our team to discuss suitable models, availability and fitting.

Sources & manuals

For fitting, programme limits and clearances, follow the instructions for your exact model.