Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can choose the one that best hobs fits your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs come with flat ceramic surfaces and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs oven
Ceramic hobs have an elegant and contemporary look that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned when spills or splatters happen. They are fast to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to adjust temperatures which can be a problem when cooking food that requires an instant reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs are made of plates that are heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be adjusted individually via rotary knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, and even after they've been shut off, they will still be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge if you have children, so it's best hobs to only install them in a place which is far from flammable objects and not within reach of little ones.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be put in on a variety of worktops, including laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and is a great option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, the element won't recognise it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for modern, sleek design. They are more expensive than electric models and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster - the water in a full pot will typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of stove is also a great choice for cooks who prefer to regulate the amount of heat being produced. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and will likely need to be cleaned more often, as grease and residue build up tends to stay on the surface instead of sliding off.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to give it a chic, sophisticated finish. It also has the wok ring that has 4kW for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings on the left of the hob features the double inner flame to improve even heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also comes with an easy-to-read power level indicator, which helps to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including a high setting for searing steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
The simple, yet easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them be very easy to use. Some minor disadvantages are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest heating level and it can be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is one of the top gas-on glass hobs that are available at a low cost. It's not going to win any design prizes, but it will serve its purpose and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just over 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. They're not only elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. These hobs have a sleek glazed finish, and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster feature that allows you to increase the heat for a brief duration.
Induction hobs are another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to work and are costly to set up.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a great alternative for modern homes. It features a burner beneath a flat glass layer, similar to a standard gas stove. However it's heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much simpler to clean than tempered glass. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the oven is hot.
While gas hobs are still an option for many home cooks, 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. On the other hand electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to meet your needs. However, it's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people who have pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a stove, the coils generate magnetic fields that generate heat directly in the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from a energy point of view because there's no leftover heat being wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction hob starting from basic ones that have a single cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Some of these models come with a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or Ovens (Yogicentral.Science) food items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more efficient in the long run. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller area for heating which can lower the cost of energy. 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 living in the home. However, they can create magnetic fields that could affect medical devices like pacemakers so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
Like 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 make use of a basic oven cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Be sure to not use scrubbers or scouring pads on your induction hob as they can scratch the surface.