Kitchen appliance designer Whirlpool has unveiled its latest range of hobs, which shuns the traditional white-goods image. Designed entirely by an in-house team at the firm, the Induction range are all finished in black glass and boast common features such as residual heat indicators and child locks for additional safety in the kitchen. However, the different models have also been designed to offer users a variety of layout options. For example, the new hobs are available in sizes varying from 370mm wide to 770mm wide and come in one, two and three zone models. Other optional extras include an innovative pan detection system whereby a hob switches itself off automatically when a pan is removed from the designated zone. The launch comes just days after firemen in Wales warned of the dangers of leaving hobs unattended, with a Wrexham crew having had to rescue a Boxer dog trapped in a kitchen fire.