Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, and you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs are equipped with an elongated ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer a sleek and modern look that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned up if spills or splatters occur. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can help reduce your electricity bills. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to change the temperature which can be a problem when cooking food that requires immediate reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. These elements can be controlled individually with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even when they've been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. This could be a problem if you have children, so it's recommended to place them in an area which is far from any flammable items and not within reach of young children.
This type of hob can be installed on a variety worktops including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also reasonably priced and is an excellent option if you're trying to replace your old hobs, but without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need cookware that's either the exact same size as the element, or that is able to fit in each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element will not recognise it and won't start to heat up the base of the pan. This can lead to uneven results in cooking and makes the hob less energy efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas have a sleek and modern design. Although they may be more expensive than electric models and may require professional installation, they usually require less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to boil in four minutes or less. This type of hob is also a great option for cooks who prefer to control the amount of heat being generated. However, it must be not forgotten that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel ones and may require cleaning more often, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to remain instead of slipping off.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners finished in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant look. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob uk, which is an attractive slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left of the hob offers an inner flame that doubles to ensure even heat distribution which increases 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 a high setting for searing a steak and an option for scrambled eggs.
Its simple yet intuitive controls were loved by our test subjects who found them be very easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are 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 status of the burners through the glass.
Some of the Best place to buy oven and hob gas on glass hobs are available at affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design awards, but it will do the job and can be a great option for your kitchen at just more than 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. They are not only sleek and stylish, but also faster, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. They're constructed with a sleek glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface resistant to smudges or scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster function which allows you to boost the heat for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a particular type of pan to work with them and can be expensive to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that's a great option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath an unidirectional glass layer like a traditional gas stove. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is hot.
Although gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks however, 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 control. Electric hobs on the other side, are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
You can even find electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, meaning you can adjust your cooking to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to remember, however, that these hobs will require installation by a registered gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils which run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that produce heat directly inside the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely efficient from a energy perspective because there's no leftover heat being wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction hobs and ovens starting from basic ones that have only one Cooking solutions zone that is marked oven with hob rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs with up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots at once on a Flex zone. Certain models come with a touch slider control that looks very similar to the way you use an iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar located in the middle to select the desired level of heat left to right increases heat and right to left reduces it. Some models have preset settings that are specific to food types or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more efficient in the long term. They can heat faster and have a smaller heating space which can reduce the cost of energy. They cool faster and also have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families that have children or elderly people. However, they can create a magnetic field which could cause interference with medical devices like pacemakers so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven hob cleaner, or you can purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your hob sparkling and in good order for longer. Make sure you don't use scrubbers or pads for scouring on your induction hob since they can scratch the surface.