Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans using flames or electricity. There are many different types of hobs. You can choose the one that best hobs uk suits your kitchen and design.
Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern and sleek design. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, which means spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing temperatures and can be a hassle if you're cooking something that requires immediate reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they are turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This could be a problem if you have children, so it's advisable to install them in an area that is well away from objects that are flammable and away from young children.
The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety of worktops, including laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable and can be a great option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.
The downside to this kind of hob is that it's very sensitive to pan size and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it won't recognize it and won't begin to heat the base of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas have a sleek and modern appearance. While they be more expensive than electric models and may require professional installation, they typically take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to come to a boil within four minutes or ovens less. This type of stove is a great choice for cooks who want to control how much heat is produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and sludge.
A fantastic example of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass with cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left side of the gas hob has two burners inside to increase heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also comes with a handy power level indicator, which allows you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as the highest setting for sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
Our test participants also liked the controls, as they were simple and easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest level of heating and it may be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.
Some of the top gas on glass hobs are available for an affordable price like this Neff model. Although it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards, it does the job well and is an excellent addition to your kitchen at just PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. They're not only elegant and stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic hob uk. These hobs have a sleek glazed finish, and feature a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature that allows you to increase your heat for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan and can be costly to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that is a good option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath an unidirectional glass layer like a traditional gas stove. However, this glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's easier to clean than the typical glass that is tempered. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the oven and hob is hot.
Although gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes a long time to heat up and cool off. Electric hobs, on the other side, are more efficient in energy and easy to clean.
There are electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you can adjust your cooking to adapt to your lifestyle. But, it's important to keep in mind that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils conduct an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a stove, the coils generate magnetic fields that create heat directly in the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are very energy efficient, as they don't use any heat.
There are a myriad of models of induction hobs that range from basic models that have one cooking zone that is with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Some of these models have a touch slider control that looks very similar to the way you operate an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar in the middle to select the desired temperature, left to right increases heat and right to left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings that are specific to recipes or food types that can cut down time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are thought to be more energy efficient in the long run because they heat up quicker and have a smaller surface for heating up which can help reduce your energy bills. They also cool faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with young children or elderly persons who live in the house. However, they can create a magnetic field which could cause interference with medical devices such as pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll need to clean your induction hob regularly, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaner or invest in a professional one to keep your stove in good condition and shining for a longer time. Just be sure to never use scrubbers or pads to scour your induction hob since they can scratch the surface.