Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans with flame or electricity. There are many different kinds of hobs available, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and have four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They are fast to heat up and are energy efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow to change the temperature which can be a problem if you're cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs are comprised of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. They can be controlled separately by rotary knobs and nipped to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch after being shut off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a location that is away from items that could ignite and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob is able to be used on a variety of worktops such as laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and is a great option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a large amount of money. Like all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need to buy cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If ovens uk isn't the same size as the element, it will not recognize it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in look. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating as an entire pot of water will typically boil within less than four minutes. This type of hob is also a great choice for cooks who want to regulate the amount of heat being generated. However, it should be observed that a glass-based hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and will likely need to be cleaned more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to remain instead of slipping off.
This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners in matt black, with control knobs made of metal for a stylish, sophisticated appearance. The wok ring is 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings to the left of the hob features an inner flame that doubles to ensure uniform heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also features a handy power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-set settings, like the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled eggs.
Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and intuitive. Some minor issues are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest temperature and it can be difficult to see the status of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best gas on glass hobs are available at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. It's not going to win any design awards but it'll do the job and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just above 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. Not only do they offer an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. These hobs have a sleek glazed finish, and feature a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. best oven uk come with a power booster feature which allows you to boost the heat for a short period of time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan, and could be expensive to put in.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a great alternative for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has the burner underneath a layer of flat glass. However the glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs have an "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.
While gas hobs are still an option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to heat up and cool down, and their flame can be difficult to manage. In contrast, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
To achieve the highest level of modern technology You can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, providing you with the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. But, it's important to remember that these hobs must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils run an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils create magnetic fields which direct heat the pan, instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are very energy efficient, as they don't use any heat.
There are many models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone identified by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these models come with an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models have preset settings for specific food types or recipes that can cut down time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are thought to be more energy efficient over the long term since they heat up quicker and have a smaller area to heat up which could help you save on energy bills. They cool down faster, and they are more secure without hot plates. This makes them ideal for families with children or elderly people. However, they do produce magnetic fields that can interfere with some medical devices such as pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll need to clean your induction hob regularly, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your oven in good condition and shiny for longer. Be sure to not use abrasive cleaners or pads to scour your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.