Knob Hobs
Specifying hobs for property and business
A hob is cut into the worktop, so replacing one is a joinery job as well as an electrical one. Get the cut-out and the supply right and it is a straightforward swap; get either wrong and you are replacing a worktop or calling out an electrician twice.
Switching to induction is an electrical decision
This is the one that catches people out. Induction hobs typically need a dedicated 32A circuit, where a ceramic hob may run on considerably less and a gas hob barely draws anything. Swapping a gas or ceramic hob for induction across a portfolio can therefore mean new cable runs and spare capacity at the consumer unit — a cost that has nothing to do with the appliance price.
Check the existing circuit before you specify. Where the supply will not carry it, a ceramic hob gives you a similar flat glass finish and the same wipe-clean surface without the rewiring.
Gas, and what it costs you in admin
Gas hobs are still the preference of a lot of tenants and most chefs, and they work in a power cut. The trade-off in a rented property is the compliance overhead: installation by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and an annual safety check with a record given to the tenant, for every property with a gas appliance in it.
For holiday parks, rural lets and anywhere off the mains, LPG-convertible models cover it — but the conversion must be done by a Gas Safe engineer and the kit is not always supplied with the hob.
Controls: the detail nobody specifies and everybody notices
Touch controls look current and wipe clean in one pass, which is why most of the market has moved to them. They are also the most common source of hob complaints in tenanted property: they can be unresponsive to wet or gloved hands, and they are harder to use for anyone with limited dexterity or poor eyesight.
Knob controls are more robust, work wet, and need no explanation at handover. In student accommodation, care settings and high-turnover rentals they are usually the better call even though they look less modern.
Cut-out, worktop and extraction
Hob cut-outs are not standardised the way oven housings are. Measure the existing aperture rather than assuming a 60cm hob will drop into a 60cm gap, and check the manufacturer's cut-out dimensions before ordering. Worktop material matters too — some hobs have minimum thickness requirements, and solid surfaces may need a specialist to cut.
Extraction is usually specified at the same time. A wider hob needs a wider cooker hood to work properly, and where ducting is difficult a venting hob puts the extraction into the hob itself.
Induction and pans
Induction only works with ferrous pans. In a furnished let or holiday property that means checking the pans you supply are compatible, and saying so at handover — it is the single most common induction complaint, and it is entirely avoidable. A magnet on the base is the test.
Before you buy: hob checklist
- Measure the existing cut-out, and check it against the new hob's required aperture
- Check the circuit rating — induction usually needs 32A
- Confirm whether it is plug-in or hard wired, and who will fit it
- For gas, book a Gas Safe engineer and diary the annual check
- Check worktop thickness and material against the fitting requirements
- Match the hood width to the hob width
- For induction in a furnished property, check the pans are compatible
Industry-specific considerations
Property and construction
Landlords and property managers should weigh the compliance saving of going electric against the cost of the circuit upgrade. Building and renovation contractors specifying to a drawing should confirm the electrical design supports induction before it is signed off, not after.
Hospitality and holiday lets
Holiday parks and lets benefit from induction's cool surface and fast wipe-down between guests, provided the pans match. Hospitality kitchens cooking at volume usually want gas for control — or proper commercial equipment.
Education, care and offices
Education and health and social care settings often specify induction for the cooler surface and residual heat indicators. Office kitchens rarely need more than a 30cm domino hob or a microwave.
Frequently asked questions
Can I swap a ceramic hob for induction without rewiring?▾
Sometimes, but check first. Induction hobs typically need a dedicated 32A circuit. If the existing supply will not carry it you will need an electrician and possibly capacity at the consumer unit, which can cost more than the hob.
Will a 60cm hob fit a 60cm gap?▾
Not necessarily. 60cm describes the appliance, not the cut-out, and cut-out dimensions vary between manufacturers. Measure the existing aperture and check it against the new hob's specification.
Touch or knob controls for a rental property?▾
Knobs, in most cases. They work with wet hands, survive heavy use, and need no explanation at handover. Touch controls look better and clean faster, which suits higher-end properties.
Do tenants need special pans for induction?▾
Yes — induction needs ferrous pans. If the property is furnished, check the pans you supply work and mention it at handover. A magnet sticking to the base is the test.
Why buy from BUY IT
At BUY IT, we help businesses choose products that do the job properly. That means clear advice, practical options and value that lasts beyond the first invoice.
Because we offer everything under one roof, it’s easier to buy for one property or for a full project without making the process harder than it needs to be.
Whether you’re fitting out a new development, replacing appliances across a holiday park or upgrading a rental portfolio, we’re here to help you find hobs that are built for business, easy to manage and ready to deliver the value your business needs.
Fitting out several kitchens?
Trade pricing, bulk quotes and a dedicated account manager — talk to our team.