Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans using electric or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can choose the one that is best hob suited to your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs are equipped with an elongated ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek design. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can quickly be cleaned when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can help lower your electric bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to change temperatures which can be a problem when cooking something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs utilize an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. The power of each element can be adjusted individually through the rotary knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they are turned off, they'll be hot to the touch. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a place that is safe from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is an excellent option if you're looking to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. However, like all appliances they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we would recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
The downside to this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that either is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element won't recognize it and will not begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in design. They can be more expensive than electric models, and require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating as a full pot of water can typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This type of hob is also a good choice for cooks who want to control the amount of heat generated. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they are more likely to accumulate grease and other residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs to create a sleek, elegant appearance. It also comes with an oblong wok ring with 4kW for added versatility, plus pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings on the left of the hob has an inner flame that doubles to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution, which in turn accelerates cooking time. It also has an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including the high setting for searing steaks and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our testers also liked the controls, as they were simple and easy to use. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest level of heating and it can be difficult to discern the state of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best ovens and hobs uk gas-on-glass hobs can be found at 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 for less than 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs uk are ideal for modern homes. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits into the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functionality that is safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
One of the most popular electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature which lets you increase the heat of your hob and oven for a short period of time.
Another electric hob and oven that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs cook your food directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and can be costly to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that's an excellent option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath an unidirectional glass layer like a traditional gas stove. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much easier to clean than glass that's tempered. Many of these hobs also have a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is hot.
While gas hobs remain an option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take a while to warm up and cool down and their flame can be difficult to manage. In contrast electric hobs are energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
To achieve the highest level of modern technology, you can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. It is important to remember that these stoves will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and best Hobs uk require a dedicated cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. They're not suitable for those with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
On the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields which heat the pan directly instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are efficient in energy use, since they don't use any heat.
There are a myriad of models of induction hob starting from basic ones with a single cooking zone marked by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones, allowing you to cook several pots at once on a flexible zone. Some of these models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are thought to be more energy efficient in the long run as they heat up much quicker and use a smaller space to heat up which could help lower your energy costs. They also cool quicker and feature a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, making them ideal for families with young children or elderly persons living in the home. However, they create magnetic fields that can 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 will have to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your oven in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Make sure you don't use abrasive cleaners or pads to scour your induction cooker as they can scratch the surface.