What is a Hob in the Kitchen? Types, Features, and Buying Guide

You are planning a new kitchen, the vendor asks whether you want a hob or a cooktop, and suddenly, two words you thought meant the same thing do not. A hob is a cooking surface built into or onto your countertop as part of the kitchen layout, with the gas pipes and wiring hidden below. A freestanding gas stove simply rests on the counter and can be moved anytime.

Here is what a hob is, the types and burners available, and how to pick the right one for the way you cook.

What is a Hob in the Kitchen, and How is it Different from a Cooktop?

A hob is the cooking surface that sits flush with or on top of your countertop, integrated into the kitchen structure. The short way to remember it: a cooktop is portable, while a hob is part of your kitchen.

• Cooktop or gas stove: freestanding, needs no installation, connects to an LPG cylinder or PNG line, and can be carried to a new home.
• Built-in hob: fitted into a countertop cutout so the surface sits flush, with pipes and wiring concealed,d and a cleaner look.
• Hob top: the flexible middle option that works either built-in or as a standalone unit on the counter. Gives the look of hob only.

For a fuller breakdown of where each one fits, this guide on the difference between a hob, cooktop, and gas stove is worth a read.

What is a Hob Burner, and Which Type Suits Indian Cooking?

A hob burner is the gas burner unit that holds and shapes the flame. The material and ring design decide how much heat it puts out and how long it lasts.

Glen hob burners are categorized into three main categories -

• Double Ring Forged Brass Burners - Triple Ring, Mini Triple Ring, Big & Small
• Italian Double Ring Burners - Come in big & small configurations
• Total Brass Burners - Triple Ring, Mini Triple Ring, Big & Small
• European Sealed Burners - Triple Ring, Semi Rapid & Auxiliary

• Forged brass burners: retain heat well and resist corrosion, which makes them a strong fit for high-flame Indian cooking.
• Double and triple ring burners: spread a wider, hotter flame for fast tadka, deep frying, and large kadais.
• Pressure die-cast aluminium burners: built for durability, lasting well over a decade, and backed by a long warranty on Glen models.

Most Indian kitchens do best with brass or double-ring burners for everyday high heat. Lighter cooking can be managed comfortably on standard single-ring burners.

What Are the Main Types of Kitchen Hobs?

Kitchen hobs are grouped in a few different ways, and most buyers mix and match these choices. Start with installation, then fuel, then size.

Grouped by installation:

• Built-in hobs sit inside a countertop cutout for a flush, modular look, and stay fixed once fitted.
• Hob tops can be installed flush or used freestanding, which suits rented homes and kitchens without a modular platform.

Grouped by fuel and surface:

• Gas hobs give precise flame control, work with every Indian utensil, and keep cooking during power cuts.
• Induction hobs heat faster and run cooler on top, but need flat magnetic-base cookware and a power supply.
• Toughened glass tops look sleek and wipe clean easily, while stainless steel handles heavy daily use.

For burner count, hobs run from 2 burners for small kitchens to 5 burners for large families. A 3-burner hob usually needs a 60cm cutout, a 4-burner fits 60 to 75cm, and a 5-burner needs around 90cm. 

View the built-in hob range or the flexible hob tops to see the sizes side by side.

What Features Should You Check Before Buying a Hob?

A few features separate a hob that lasts years from one that frustrates you. Run through these before you pay.

• Burner type and rings: brass or double-ring burners for heat, die-cast aluminium for durability.
• Auto-ignition: a one-touch spark removes the need for a lighter or matchstick.
• Flame failure device: a built-in safety cut-off stops the gas supply if the flame goes out, which matters in homes with children.
• Toughened glass and cast-iron supports: tempered glass takes the heat, and heavy pan supports hold a full kadai steady.
• Size and warranty: match the cutout to your counter, and check both the standard and glass or burner warranty.

A built-in glass hob is safe for high-heat cooking like deep frying and tadka, since the glass is tempered and the burners are made for it. 

A primer on the flame failure device and hob safety explains the cut-off in more detail.

How Do You Choose the Right Hob for Your Kitchen?

Start with your cooking and your counter. Pick gas if you cook traditional Indian food daily, or induction if speed and a cooler surface matter more. Match the burner count to your household: two or three for a couple, four or five for a family that cooks several dishes at once. Decide between a fixed built-in hob for a modular kitchen and a flexible hob top for a rented or non-modular one, then confirm the cutout fits. For the full checklist with materials and finishes, read the detailed hob buying guide. 

See the full collection of built-in hobs and choose the one that fits your kitchen and cooking routine.

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