The hob and hood decide how your kitchen cooks and how your home smells. In Singapore, that choice is shaped by local cooking (high-heat stir-frying, deep-frying and long braises), small kitchens that often open to the living room, and the type of gas supply in your flat.
Most HDB flats and many older condos have piped town gas supplied by City Energy; some homes use LPG cylinders; and some homes have no gas at all. Do not assume: check whether your kitchen has a gas point before choosing a hob. Induction has become common because it needs only electricity, is easy to clean and has no open flame.
Gas works are tightly controlled. HDB requires gas service works to be done by an EMA-licensed gas service worker, and gas pipe alterations by City Energy or a licensed gas service worker. This page compares every hob and hood option, explains ducted versus recirculating hoods, and sets out the verified rules for gas and electrical works.
Cooker hobs and hoods options at a glance
| Option | Cost | Durability | Upkeep | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gas hob (piped town gas) | Mid-range | excellent | medium | Heavy wok cooking in homes with a town gas point |
| Gas hob (LPG cylinder) | Mid-range | excellent | medium | Homes without piped gas that want a real flame |
| Induction hob | Mid-range | good | low | Open kitchens, families with children and homes without gas |
| Ceramic (radiant) hob | Budget | good | medium | Light cooking on a budget, or homes with mixed cookware |
| Hybrid hob (gas and induction) | Upper | good | medium | Households that wok-fry daily but want induction convenience |
| Domino and modular hobs | Upper | good | medium | Small kitchens and cooks with specific needs |
| Chimney hood | Mid-range | excellent | medium | Frequent frying and wok cooking with a wall-mounted hob |
| Slim (slimline) hood | Budget | good | medium | Compact HDB kitchens and light to moderate cooking |
| Telescopic (pull-out) hood | Mid-range | good | medium | Handle-less kitchens where a hidden hood matters |
| Island and ceiling hoods | Premium | good | medium | Condo and landed kitchens with an island hob |
Cost is relative within cooker hobs and hoods ($ budget to $$$$ premium). Actual prices depend on brand, size and workmanship, so compare itemised quotes.
Gas hob (piped town gas)
- Mid-range Mid-range
- Durability: excellent
- Upkeep: medium
A built-in gas hob connected to the piped town gas supply. The traditional choice for wok cooking, with instant, visible heat.
Best for: Heavy wok cooking in homes with a town gas point
Pros
- Instant, controllable heat and real wok flame
- Works with any cookware, including round-bottom woks
- Supply is piped, so no cylinders to change
- Familiar to most Singapore cooks
Cons
- Open flame and gas leak risk; needs care with children
- Grates and burners are harder to clean than a flat glass top
- Adds heat and fumes to the kitchen, so a strong hood is essential
- Installation and pipe alterations must be done by licensed workers
The burner jets of a gas hob are set for a specific gas type. Check that the hob is configured for town gas before buying.
HDB says gas service works require an EMA-licensed gas service worker, and all gas pipe alterations must be done by City Energy or a licensed gas service worker. In a 2019 parliamentary reply, the then Ministry of Trade and Industry said homeowners must engage an EMA-licensed gas service worker to install town gas pipes and appliances and test for leaks before gas is turned on.
Look for a flame failure device, which cuts the gas if the flame goes out. MHA reported that unattended cooking or electrical causes accounted for 59% of residential fires in 2025 (combined), so never leave a lit hob unattended.
Gas hob (LPG cylinder)
- Mid-range Mid-range
- Durability: excellent
- Upkeep: medium
A gas hob running from a bottled liquefied petroleum gas cylinder, used in homes without piped gas. The same cooking performance with a cylinder to store and replace.
Best for: Homes without piped gas that want a real flame
Pros
- Real flame without a piped gas supply
- Dollars and Sense found LPG the cheapest option in its 2024 comparison
- Works during power cuts
- Easy to switch suppliers
Cons
- Cylinder takes cabinet space and needs replacing
- LPG is heavier than air, so leaks collect at floor level
- Hob must be configured for LPG, not town gas
- Cylinder and hose need regular checks
Dollars and Sense describes LPG cylinders as used in older estates or flats without piped gas, with use waning as new homeowners choose other options. Its April 2024 comparison put a 12.7kg cylinder at about $35 to $38, cheaper than the equivalent energy in piped gas at the tariff then (indicative, and tariffs change quarterly).
A town gas hob cannot simply be connected to LPG, as burners and regulators differ. Buy a hob configured for LPG, or have the supplier fit the correct conversion.
Store the cylinder upright in a ventilated cabinet, away from the hob, and check the hose and regulator regularly. Turn off the cylinder valve when away.
Induction hob
- Mid-range Mid-range
- Durability: good
- Upkeep: low
An electric hob that heats magnetic cookware directly through an electromagnetic field. Fast, precise and safe, with a flat glass top that wipes clean.
Best for: Open kitchens, families with children and homes without gas
Pros
- No open flame or gas leak risk
- Flat glass top is very easy to clean
- Less heat and fumes in the kitchen
- Fast and precise temperature control
Cons
- Needs magnetic cookware; copper, aluminium, glass and non-magnetic stainless steel will not work
- Round-bottom woks do not heat well without a special wok zone
- Needs a dedicated, correctly rated power supply
- Glass top can crack if a heavy pot is dropped
Dollars and Sense notes that induction only works with magnetic cookware such as cast iron or magnetic stainless steel; a fridge magnet sticking to the base is a quick test. It also points out that induction removes the gas leak risk, which many families value.
Induction hobs draw a lot of power. Follow the manufacturer's electrical requirements for the power point and circuit, and have it installed by a licensed electrical worker, as HDB requires for all electrical works.
If you stir-fry daily, consider a hob with a large flexible zone or a wok-shaped induction zone, or a hybrid with one gas burner. NEA's mandatory energy label covers products such as air-conditioners, refrigerators and clothes dryers, but not hobs, so compare the manufacturer's specifications instead.
Ceramic (radiant) hob
- Budget Budget
- Durability: good
- Upkeep: medium
An electric hob with heating elements under a glass-ceramic top that glow red. Works with any flat-bottomed cookware, but is slower and less efficient than induction.
Best for: Light cooking on a budget, or homes with mixed cookware
Pros
- Works with any flat-bottomed cookware
- Flat glass top is easy to wipe
- Usually cheaper than induction
- No gas supply needed
Cons
- Slow to heat and slow to cool
- Surface stays hot after use, a burn risk
- Spills burn onto the hot glass and are harder to clean
- Less efficient and less responsive than induction
Ceramic hobs heat the glass, which then heats the pan, so the surface itself becomes very hot and stays hot after switching off. Most have residual heat indicators; teach children what they mean.
They suit small households doing light cooking who do not want to replace their pots. For most new kitchens, induction is the better electric choice for speed, control and safety.
Like induction, ceramic hobs need a correctly rated power point installed by a licensed electrical worker.
Hybrid hob (gas and induction)
- Upper Upper
- Durability: good
- Upkeep: medium
A single hob with one or two gas burners and one or two induction zones. A popular compromise for families who wok-fry but want induction for everything else.
Best for: Households that wok-fry daily but want induction convenience
Pros
- Real wok flame plus fast, clean induction
- Keeps cooking possible during a gas or power outage
- One cut-out in the countertop
- Flexible for different dishes
Cons
- Needs both a gas point and a high-load power point
- Fewer models to choose from
- Each zone is smaller than a dedicated hob
- Gas and electrical works both apply
A hybrid hob needs both utilities. The gas connection must be done by an EMA-licensed gas service worker (or City Energy for pipe alterations), and the power point by a licensed electrical worker.
Check that the hob is configured for your gas type (town gas or LPG) and that the countertop cut-out matches the manufacturer's template. Where the hob sits at the end of a counter, check the landing space beside each zone.
An alternative is two domino hobs side by side, one gas and one induction, which lets you choose each module separately.
Domino and modular hobs
- Upper Upper
- Durability: good
- Upkeep: medium
Narrow hob modules (often one or two zones each) that sit side by side, letting you combine gas, induction, a teppanyaki plate or a wok burner.
Best for: Small kitchens and cooks with specific needs
Pros
- Mix and match cooking types
- Fits narrow or unusual counter spaces
- Can replace one module at a time
- Good for a two-zone hob in a compact BTO kitchen
Cons
- More expensive per zone than a standard hob
- Multiple cut-outs and connections
- Fewer brands offer full modular ranges
- Gaps between modules need careful finishing
Domino hobs are a good answer for small kitchens: a single induction domino for everyday cooking and a gas wok burner for stir-frying can fit where a standard four-zone hob would crowd the counter.
Plan the countertop cut-outs with the exact modules chosen, and check whether the manufacturer offers a joining strip. Each gas module needs a licensed gas connection; each electric module needs a correctly rated power supply.
For a two-person household in a BTO flat, two zones are often enough.
Chimney hood
- Mid-range Mid-range
- Durability: excellent
- Upkeep: medium
A wall-mounted canopy with a vertical chimney housing the duct. The strongest and most common hood type for gas cooking in Singapore.
Best for: Frequent frying and wok cooking with a wall-mounted hob
Pros
- Strong extraction with a wide capture area
- Suits heavy wok and frying
- Available with baffle filters for heavy grease
- Wide range of widths and styles
Cons
- Bulky; no wall cabinets can go above it
- Needs a duct route out of the kitchen for best results
- Can be noisy at full speed
- Filters need regular cleaning
Retail guides consistently recommend a chimney hood for frequent frying or wok cooking, as it captures more fumes than a slim hood. Hometrust suggests sizing a hood so it can clear the kitchen's air volume (length times width times height) in about 4 to 6 minutes.
Duct length and bends reduce real extraction, so a shorter, straighter duct can outperform a more powerful hood with a long run. Install at the height the manufacturer specifies for your hob type (gas and electric hobs have different minimums), and choose a hood at least as wide as the hob.
Clean mesh filters often; baffle filters handle heavy grease better. HDB does not allow exhaust fans in the service balcony or yard when the kitchen is extended there.
Slim (slimline) hood
- Budget Budget
- Durability: good
- Upkeep: medium
A compact hood that fits under or into the wall cabinets above the hob. Saves space and keeps storage above, but extracts less than a chimney hood.
Best for: Compact HDB kitchens and light to moderate cooking
Pros
- Keeps wall cabinets above the hob
- Discreet look in small kitchens
- Usually cheaper
- Can be ducted or recirculating
Cons
- Lower suction; struggles with daily heavy frying
- Smaller capture area
- Filters still need regular care
- Can be noisy at high speeds for its size
Retail guides suggest a slim hood can handle occasional frying, but recommend a chimney hood if you stir-fry or deep-fry often. Hometrust describes slimline hoods as suited to lighter cooking.
Because it sits in the cabinet line, a slim hood must be planned with the carpentry: ask your contractor for the exact cut-out size, the duct route through the cabinet above, and the power point position before the cabinets are built. Do not mount it lower than the manufacturer specifies.
A slim hood is a good fit for induction cooking, which produces less heat and fewer fumes than gas.
Telescopic (pull-out) hood
- Mid-range Mid-range
- Durability: good
- Upkeep: medium
A slim hood with a front panel that slides out when cooking, extending the capture area, and retracts flush with the cabinets when not in use.
Best for: Handle-less kitchens where a hidden hood matters
Pros
- Almost invisible when closed
- Extending panel improves capture over a fixed slim hood
- Often switches on automatically when pulled out
- Keeps storage above
Cons
- Less extraction than a chimney hood
- Sliding mechanism can wear or stick with grease
- Easy to forget to pull out
- Needs exact integration with cabinet sizes
Hometrust describes telescopic hoods as slimline models that extend when in use and retract when not. They suit minimalist and handle-less kitchens where a visible canopy would break the line.
Ask how the slide is cleaned, as grease on the runners is the common failure point, and check that the front panel can take a door finish matching your cabinets if that is the look you want.
As with any slim hood, a duct to the outside will perform much better than recirculation.
Island and ceiling hoods
- Premium Premium
- Durability: good
- Upkeep: medium
Hoods suspended above an island hob, or built flush into the ceiling. Dramatic, but they need more power and longer ducts to work well.
Best for: Condo and landed kitchens with an island hob
Pros
- Allows a hob on an island
- Ceiling hoods are nearly invisible
- Some include lighting
- Statement design feature
Cons
- Air flows in from all sides, so capture is weaker than a wall hood
- Needs ceiling space for ducts or a recirculating model
- Most expensive hood option
- Rarely practical in HDB flats
Retail guides note that island and ceiling hoods are larger, cost more and need longer duct routes, so they suit condo layouts more than typical HDB kitchens. Hometrust notes that island hoods need sufficient ceiling height.
In HDB flats, false ceilings must be at least 2.4m above the finished floor (except in bathrooms) and made of non-combustible materials, and no gas pipe may be enclosed in a false ceiling. Plan the duct route, the false ceiling and the hood together.
For induction islands, a downdraft extractor (rising from the countertop) is another option, though it usually extracts less than an overhead hood.
Gas or induction?
- Choose gas if you wok-fry daily, cook with round-bottom woks, and your kitchen has a gas point.
- Choose induction if your kitchen is open to the living room, you have young children, you have no gas point, or you value easy cleaning.
- Choose a hybrid or domino combination if you want both.
Dollars and Sense's April 2024 comparison found LPG the cheapest per unit of energy, then piped gas, then induction, though the result depends on tariffs, which change regularly, and on your cooking habits.
Town gas, LPG or no gas?
Check your kitchen before buying anything. Look for a gas pipe and meter, ask your seller or developer, or ask your contractor to confirm. A hob set up for town gas will not run safely on LPG, and the reverse is also true.
Gas rules in HDB flats (verified)
HDB's guidelines for gas works state:
- Gas service works need an EMA-licensed gas service worker.
- All gas pipe alterations must be done by City Energy or a licensed gas service worker (LGSW).
- Gas meter relocation must be done by City Energy and comply with SCDF guidelines.
- Removing a gas branch pipe (after the sub-meter): a 100mm length of pipe protruding into the kitchen must be kept and capped.
- Gas risers and branch pipes before the sub-meter must not be tampered with; any enclosure needs a fully ventilated removable access 600mm wide and full height.
- Gas pipes must not be embedded in common partition walls, floor screed or finishes, or enclosed in false ceilings.
- Gas appliances and pipe terminations are not allowed in sleeping areas, and a full-height wall with a door is required where a kitchen with gas adjoins a flexible space used as a bedroom.
- Gas water heaters and ovens must comply with City Energy's requirements and be installed by an LGSW.
HDB also says that prior written approval from the gas company is needed for alterations or extensions of the gas service pipes. For DBSS flats with concealed gas pipes, HDB advises engaging a licensed gas service technician to locate the pipes before drilling.
Hoods: ducted or recirculating?
- Ducted hoods push fumes, heat and moisture outside. They perform better, especially in Singapore's warm, humid kitchens.
- Recirculating hoods filter the air through charcoal filters and return it to the room. They are easier to install where a duct route is impractical, but they do not remove heat or moisture, and charcoal filters need regular replacement.
Before choosing, ask your contractor where the duct will exit, how long it is and how many bends it has. In HDB flats, exhaust fans are not allowed in the service balcony or yard when the kitchen extends into it.
Sizing and installing a hood
- Width: at least as wide as the hob.
- Extraction: Hometrust suggests a hood that can clear the kitchen's air volume in about 4 to 6 minutes. Real performance depends on the duct.
- Height: follow the manufacturer's minimum height for your hob type.
- Noise: listen at full speed in a showroom, especially for open kitchens.
- Power: plan the hood's power point before carpentry, installed by a licensed electrical worker.
Energy labels
NEA's Mandatory Energy Labelling Scheme covers appliances such as air-conditioners, refrigerators, clothes dryers, televisions, lamps and water heaters. Hobs and hoods are not on NEA's list, so compare rated power and the manufacturer's efficiency information instead.
Common mistakes
- Buying a hob before confirming the gas type.
- Letting a general contractor move gas pipes instead of City Energy or a licensed gas service worker.
- Pairing heavy wok cooking with a slim recirculating hood.
- Installing the hood too low or too narrow for the hob.
- Forgetting the hood duct route until after the false ceiling is built.
For when appliance choices need to be fixed in your project, see our renovation timeline guide.
