Types available in India
| Type | Price | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 3-burner gas, 600 mm | ₹12,000–22,000 | Compact kitchens, two people |
| 4-burner gas, 600 mm | ₹16,000–34,000 | The Indian standard |
| 4-burner gas, 750–900 mm | ₹26,000–48,000 | Family cooking, larger vessels |
| 5-burner with wok burner | ₹38,000–65,000 | Serious cooking; needs 900 mm of counter |
| Induction, 2–4 zones | ₹22,000–70,000 | Fast, clean; needs 16 A and flat-bottom vessels |
The cut-out is permanent
A hob is set into a routed aperture in the counter. Once the quartz or granite is cut, the size is fixed — replacing a 600 mm hob with a 750 mm one later means a new counter section. Confirm the exact make and model before the stone is templated, and give the fabricator the manufacturer's cut-out drawing rather than the appliance box dimensions, which are larger.
Clearances that matter
- 400 mm of clear counter on each side of the hob, minimum; 500 mm on the side you set pans down.
- 50–75 mm between the cut-out edge and any wall or backsplash, per the manual.
- The chimney at 650–750 mm above, and at least as wide as the hob.
- A gas pipe with an accessible isolation cock inside the cabinet below, not buried behind a fixed panel.
- No membrane-finish shutter immediately adjacent — the heat will lift the foil.
Two build details separate a hob that lasts from one that does not: forged brass burners rather than alloy, which survive years of spill and cleaning, and auto-ignition wired to a mains point rather than a battery. Ask also where the brand services in your suburb before buying an imported unit.
Hob, cooktop and burner
Indian usage is loose. A cooktop is the freestanding two- or four-burner unit that sits on the counter and can be lifted off to clean. A hob is built in, flush, with knobs on the front face and cast-iron pan supports. A burner is one ring on either. The built-in version looks better, cleans more easily around the edges and costs two to three times as much — and it commits you to a counter cut-out. See modular kitchen design and base units for what goes underneath.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a hob and a cooktop?+
A hob is built into the counter with the controls on its front face; a cooktop is a freestanding unit that sits on the counter. The hob looks cleaner and is easier to wipe around, but it requires a permanent cut-out in the stone.
What size hob should I buy?+
600 mm four-burner for a compact kitchen, 750–900 mm where you cook with large vessels or want a wok burner. The constraint is counter length — you need 400 mm of clear surface on each side, and that is not negotiable.
Is an induction hob practical in India?+
Increasingly, yes, and it is the only option on an island where a gas line cannot be routed. It needs a dedicated 16 A circuit and flat-bottomed cookware, which rules out a traditional kadhai with a rounded base.
Can a hob be installed over a drawer?+
Yes, with a shallow top drawer and the manufacturer's stated clearance below the burner box. Most brands require 60–100 mm. Check before the drawer heights are fixed, because this is a common late discovery.