Hobs, stoves or hotplates are no longer purely functional; they can actually add a sense of style and contemporary feel to your kitchen. However, you do need to understand a few basics of how ovens and hobs work in order to choose the right one for your needs, and then you can get on with the important business of selecting a stylish one to suit the rest of your kitchen. The following tips should help:

Fuel - Do you want a gas, electricity or duel fuel cooker? Gas hobs are typically cheaper to run than electric hobs, and have much better temperature control. They can also be much safer as the flame is visible. However, if you do not have a gas supply in your home, an electric hob can be a more flexible option. And with a duel fuel cooker, you can have the best of both worlds.

Types of hobs - Gas hobs are fairly standard in design but with electric cookers, you can choose from either a hotplate or ceramic hob . You also need to think about the number of hobs you will need, with options ranging from 4 to about 7.

Other features - Assess how energy efficient and easy to clean each type of hob is, as well as how well it integrates into your existing kitchen décor and fittings.