Ilve gas hobs are made for people who cook with a lot of heat and want to control it closely. Sizes run from compact 60 cm four-burner hobs up to 120 cm hobs with as many as eight burners. There are four main styles. Milano has traditional knobs, brass, chrome or antique brass trims, and finishes such as antique white, white, stainless steel and graphite matt. Nero has a gloss black body with a matt black finish. Roma and Panoramagic are in stainless steel, and there is also a Professional Plus fry-top hob.
Burner layout is the next choice. Most models have a wok burner of around 4 kW. Some Milano, Roma and Panoramagic hobs have dual burners of up to 5 kW instead, for searing and stir-frying. At the other end, small burners turn down low for sauces, and Nero hobs add a separate simmer burner. Several Milano, Roma, Panoramagic and Professional Plus hobs replace burners with a stainless steel fry top. This flat griddle plate is 8 mm thick on some models and handles breakfasts, meat and vegetables. Some Roma and Panoramagic hobs sit flush with the worktop for a clean edge, and several larger Roma hobs have an angled control panel with satin knobs. Cut-out sizes vary, so measure your worktop first.
Every hob here has cast iron pan supports, a flame you can adjust smoothly from low to high, and ignition built into the knobs. On many models you can light a burner with one hand. Most list flame failure devices, which cut the gas if the flame goes out, and many can be converted to LPG. Milano, Panoramagic and some Roma hobs use brass burners with a nanotechnology non-stick coating, which makes them easier to wipe clean. Nero hobs use aluminium flame spreaders with enamelled covers.
To narrow it down, start with the width your worktop allows and the look that suits your kitchen. Then decide between a dual or wok burner for high heat and a fry top for griddling. To compare gas with other types, browse all Ilve hobs, or look at Ilve electric hobs and compact Ilve domino hobs.
