Joybuy Insights

Gas Hobs Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Size, Burners and Safety Features

Choosing a built-in gas hob involves more than selecting a finish that matches your kitchen. The wrong width can leave you with an unusable worktop cut-out, while an impressive-looking burner layout may not suit your cookware or cooking habits.

This guide explains the practical details UK homeowners, landlords, kitchen renovators and home cooks should check before buying gas hobs.

Common buying pitfalls to avoid

1. Assuming every “60cm” hob has the same cut-out

A 60cm gas hob usually refers to the appliance’s approximate external width, not the size of the opening in your worktop. For example, some models measure around 590–600mm wide but require a cut-out close to 560mm wide by 480mm deep.

Always compare:

  • Overall hob width and depth
  • Required cut-out width and depth
  • Worktop thickness and surrounding clearances
  • Space below the hob for drawers, ovens or extractor components

Do not remove an existing hob until the new model’s installation diagram has been checked.

2. Paying for extra burners without checking usable space

A five-burner gas hob can be useful for households cooking several dishes at once, but burner count alone does not guarantee convenient multi-pan cooking. Closely positioned burners may make it difficult to use several large pans simultaneously.

A four-burner gas hob can be more suitable for a compact kitchen or everyday cooking. A five-burner gas hob in a 70cm, 75cm or 90cm format may provide more room between cookware, although the available worktop space and cut-out must be suitable.

3. Treating appearance as a substitute for safety and maintenance

A black glass surface creates a contemporary gas-on-glass look, but it can show marks and requires care around impacts and sudden temperature changes. Stainless steel is practical and familiar, although splashes and fingerprints may be more visible.

More important than colour is whether the appliance includes a flame failure device. This safety system is designed to interrupt the gas supply if the flame is extinguished. Check that the feature applies to every burner rather than only one zone.

Core specifications to check before buying

Hob width and installation dimensions

  • 60cm gas hob: A common replacement size, often offering four burners and a familiar cut-out.
  • 70cm gas hob: A middle-ground format that can provide five burners without the footprint of a large hob.
  • 75cm gas hob: Suitable for households wanting more pan space, provided the worktop has enough room.
  • 90cm gas hob: Offers a broad cooking surface for large households and frequent multi-pan cooking.

The appliance width is only part of the installation. Review the manufacturer’s stated recess dimensions, minimum clearances and ventilation requirements. Gas appliances should be installed and connected by a Gas Safe registered engineer in the UK. Models with automatic ignition or flame safety systems may also require an electrical connection, so check whether a fused spur or other specified supply is needed.

Burner arrangement and power

Look for a useful combination rather than simply the highest quoted output. A typical layout may include:

  • An auxiliary burner for gentle simmering
  • Semi-rapid burners for everyday saucepan cooking
  • A rapid burner for boiling and frying
  • A wok burner for high-heat cooking with suitable cookware

A wok burner hob can be helpful for stir-fries and large pans, but a high-output burner is not essential for every household. Check the stated power ratings and whether the burner supports match the pans you use.

Surface and pan supports

A stainless steel gas hob is generally straightforward to wipe down and suits traditional or contemporary kitchens. A gas-on-glass hob offers a smooth black surface, but the glass should be treated carefully and cleaned with suitable products.

Cast iron pan supports provide a firm base for heavier cookware. Enamelled supports may also be practical for cleaning. In either case, removable supports and burner caps make routine maintenance easier.

For properties supplied by LPG, confirm whether the model is an LPG convertible gas hob and whether conversion jets or a separate kit are included. Do not assume a natural-gas model can be converted without checking the product specification and installation instructions.

Our Top Recommendations by User Profile

MATCH FOR: Budget-Conscious Starters
CANDY CHW6LBB 60cm 4 Burner Gas Hob, Black

CANDY CHW6LBB 60cm 4 Burner Gas Hob, Black

Why This Fits Their Persona: A practical option for first-time replacements, rental properties and kitchens with a standard-sized opening. Its four-burner layout suits everyday family meals without requiring a wider worktop.

How It Avoids the Trap

The stated dimensions and approximately 560mm cut-out help shoppers compare it with an existing standard installation. Removable supports simplify cleaning.

Key Advantage & Pros

60cm format, side-mounted rotary controls and four burners. The listed specification includes a flame failure or thermocouple safety device.

MATCH FOR: Premium Quality Seekers
Haier HAVG75TBBP 75cm Gas on Glass Hob with Preci Flame - Black

Haier HAVG75TBBP 75cm Gas on Glass Hob with Preci Flame - Black

Why This Fits Their Persona: Suits renovators seeking a wider black gas hob with a contemporary surface and more room for several pans.

How It Avoids the Trap

Its specification clearly identifies five burners, a 745mm width, flame failure devices on each burner and a separate LPG conversion option.

Key Advantage & Pros

Five burners, a 5kW double-ring wok burner, cast iron supports and front-mounted controls. The listed Preci Flame system provides nine marked power settings per burner.

MATCH FOR: Specific Use-Case/Heavy Users
CDA HG9351SS 90cm Five Burner Gas Hob, Stainless Steel

CDA HG9351SS 90cm Five Burner Gas Hob, Stainless Steel

Why This Fits Their Persona: Designed around a broad 90cm cooking area for large households, frequent entertaining and cooks who regularly use several sizeable pans.

How It Avoids the Trap

The 90cm width and stated 860mm by 480mm cut-out make the space requirement clear before purchase. Its stainless steel surface avoids relying on glass styling alone.

Key Advantage & Pros

Five burners include a 5kW wok burner, two rapid burners and a simmer burner. The specification lists electronic ignition, flame failure devices and LPG conversion capability.

MATCH FOR: Compact Multi-Pan Cooks
CDA HG7351SS 70cm 5 Burner Gas Hob, Stainless Steel

CDA HG7351SS 70cm 5 Burner Gas Hob, Stainless Steel

Why This Fits Their Persona: A middle-width choice for cooks who want five burners but cannot accommodate a 90cm gas hob.

How It Avoids the Trap

The listed 680mm product width, five-burner configuration and 560mm minimum cut-out width help clarify the fit before ordering.

Key Advantage & Pros

Includes a triple-ring wok burner, cast iron supports, automatic ignition and flame safety devices on all burners.

Looking for More Options?

We have compiled a complete, real-time list of products that fully satisfy these strict selection criteria and UK safety regulations.

Frequently asked questions about gas hobs

Do gas hobs need to be installed by a professional?

Gas connections in UK homes should be completed by a Gas Safe registered engineer. Follow the appliance instructions for ventilation, clearances and any electrical connection required for ignition or flame safety components.

Which size gas hob is suitable for a typical kitchen?

A 60cm gas hob is commonly considered for standard kitchen layouts and replacement installations. A 70cm or 75cm model may offer more room for five burners, while a 90cm model requires substantially more worktop space. Measure the opening rather than relying only on the advertised width.

Are gas hobs expensive to run?

Running cost depends on gas and electricity tariffs, burner power, cooking duration and how efficiently heat reaches the pan. Choose a burner that matches the cookware size, keep flames beneath the pan base and avoid using a high-output wok burner for low-temperature tasks. Check the product’s fuel compatibility and rated gas load before purchase.