Types of hob uk and Oven
Hobs and ovens are common feature in most kitchens. They come in a variety of styles. You can mix different types, such as electric and gas, to suit your needs.
A hob can also be equipped with safety features, such as child and control of the position. These features can prevent children from accidentally altering the temperature setting or touching the stove.
Types
In the heart of every kitchen, the hob takes centre stage and can play a huge part in how your food is executed. However, there are a number of different types of hob and the one you choose will depend on what your specific cooking requirements are.
Gas hobs provide a classic option. They are quick to heat up and respond instantly to temperature changes. They are a popular choice for professional chefs as they provide precise control. However, they are not as clean as other hobs, and they may require a higher degree of maintenance.
Electric hobs are flat ceramic surface that has heated elements beneath. They can be found in different sizes that have between four and six cooking zones. Each zone has its own heating element which can be controlled individually by you. It is possible to boil potatoes in one ring, while cooking sausages on another. This type of hob can be quicker to heat than gas and offers a child-safe alternative because the cooking zone is only heated when you place a pan on it.
Ceramic hobs are a chic and user-friendly alternative to electric and gas hobs. They have a smooth and durable surface that is easy to clean. However, they are not as quick to react to temperature changes or to cool down as other hobs.
Domino hobs are a space-saving alternative to electric and gas hobs that have ovens underneath the cooking surface. They can be fitted into smaller kitchens that have little space for installation and work well in flats and kitchenettes. They are often cheaper than a standard cooker and are energy efficient however they are also fragile and require more care than other types of cookers.
Gas
Gas hobs are cooktops that have burners that can easily be integrated into kitchen countertops to create a seamless look. Gas hobs are typically powered by LPG or natural gas, however they can also be powered with propane gas. They have a sleek and modern design that can add a touch of sophistication to your modular kitchen.
A traditional gas stove comes with a range of burners, usually 4 but sometimes as many as 6. The burners can be ignited with a match or knob. The flames can then be controlled by an array of valves that can be adjusted to regulate temperature.
In contrast, most modern gas hobs that have built-in gas burners feature multi-flame burners that allow you to control the inner and outer rings of each burner to precisely manage your cooking. These burners are faster and more reliable than older models.
Traditionally, it was necessary to keep a gas burner lit constantly to ensure that the burners are constantly fueled and hot. This was a security feature to prevent any accidents like having the oven turned on even though the stove was lit by a match or a pilot flame. Modern cookers have been designed with safety as a top priority. They come equipped with a flame failure device that shuts off the burners in the event that the pilot light fails to work.
Gas stoves and hobs require to be regularly inspected and cleaned as well as maintained. The best way to do this is to arrange an appointment for maintenance with a certified Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able to ensure that your appliance is operating properly, but also give you expert guidance on how to prevent any future issues.
Electricity
When it comes to creating your dream kitchen, the worktops, fridge freezer and oven will always receive the most attention, but the quality of your hob is also essential. The kind of hob you select will influence the way your kitchen functions and also how easy it is for you to clean it.
Electric hobs have heating elements underneath the glass surface, which is typically cleaned with an non-abrasive cleaner. The heating elements are activated when you turn on the oven and can be adjusted to different power levels using a control knob. It may take them some time to warm up but once they've done so, they have a tendency to offer better and more consistent temperature control. They come with built-in indicators that inform you whether a space is hot or not.
Typically, they are available in a range of four to six sizes of rings that can be notched up to different power levels. They are ideal for flat-based cookware, but aren't the Best place to buy oven and hob option for cast iron pans because they can get hot. Certain models come with dual-ring designs (such as the Belling BEL CH602T) that allow boiling water on one ring while you saute sausages on another. Certain models come with a Boost function that focuses the highest heat in one ring. This is helpful for stir-frying, searing meat, or boiling large pots.
Induction hobs differ from regular electric models due to the fact that they utilize electromagnetic fields instead of conventional gas flames to heat your cookware. They can achieve precise temperatures more quickly and are more efficient in energy use. They also have a cool-to touch surface and flashing heat indicators that inform you that the ring is being used or is still hot.
Ceramic
Ceramic is an element which can be transformed into decorative or practical objects. It is made by mixing earthen elements, clay powders and water into the desired shape, then fired in a high-temperature oven, also known as a kiln. Once made, it can be covered with decorative or paint-like substances to give it a more textured and vibrant look.
Ceramic hobs are a perfect blend of form and function to create an exquisite piece of contemporary kitchen furniture. Radiant heating technology is employed to heat ceramic hobs by passing an electrical current over coiled elements that are concealed beneath the black glass surface. They generate heat when activated, which is transferred to your pan by way of an infrared system. You can alter the level of heating using the knobs or touch controls.
Some ceramic hobs are dual ring designs, with one smaller and a larger cooking zone that lets you select the best size for your pan. You can also buy hobs that have boosters that create high-powered heat rapidly. This is ideal for cooking food and bringing pans to boil quickly.
Ceramic cooktops are more energy efficient than other kinds of hobs as they take longer to heat up and change temperatures. You can also find vented hobs that integrate a ventilation system within the cooktop's ceramic surface, making sure steam, smoke and cooking smells don't stay within your home.
Induction
Induction hobs contain heating elements that are comprised of copper wire coils. They generate electromagnets that make the pans hot on top of them. The coils stir up free electrons within the base metal of your pan, which then transfer heat evenly to your food. The surface of the hob is never hot, and the moment you remove your pan the cooking zones switch off automatically.
Induction hobs are usually more expensive than other types however they're also quicker to heat and use 30-70% less energy than gas or ceramic hobs. They are also easier to clean, as the hob surface itself isn't heated, but the contents of your pan do.
Some manufacturers have an induction model with additional features, for instance the pause feature, which cuts the power to your stove when you walk away or link two cooking rings simultaneously at the same power for more flexibility. They are commonly referred to as FlexInduction hobs and can be more expensive than traditional induction models but they're worth looking into if prefer to multitask.
Our top pick is this induction cooktop from Smeg, which has four cooking zones of good size with a bridge function as well as nine power levels that give you a wide range of options for ambitious cooks. It was a great performer during our test with a fast heating speed and accurate control when making pancakes. The oven also has dishwasher built-in and an automatic pan detection function to make cleaning even simpler. There's a small selection of pans that are compatible it cannot be used for cooking with the utensils with a magnetic base. It can be a problem when you have a large amount of cookware that's not compatible or a small portion of it is compatible with induction cooktops.