Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans using electric or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, and you can pick one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and have five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern and sleek appearance. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, which means spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be a problem when you need to cook something that requires a rapid reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through rotating knobs. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch after being turned off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in an area that is away from items that could ignite and out of reach of children.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety of worktops such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable and is a great option for those trying to replace your old hobs without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that the new Hobs Oven are safe for use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need to buy cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognise it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer an elegant, modern look. Although they may be more expensive than electric models and may require professional installation, they often 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 less. This kind of stove is also a great option for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat being produced. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and will need to be cleaned more often, Best place to buy oven and hob since the build-up of grease and residue tends to stick instead of sliding off.
One of the best examples of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left of the hob offers an inner flame that doubles to promote improvement in even heat distribution which speeds up cooking times. It also comes with a handy power level indicator, which assists in regulating the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like a high setting to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
Our testers also liked the controls, as they were simple and intuitive. Some minor drawbacks are that you have to press the controls a further nine times to reach the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see what the burners are doing.
Some of the best gas on glass hobs can be found at affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not going to win any design awards, but it will perform the task and be an excellent addition to your kitchen at just over 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
Electric ovens hobs are perfect for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, they are also faster, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster feature which allows you to boost your heat for a short duration.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However, they require a specific kind of pan to function and can be costly to set up.
A gas on glass hob is another option that's a great option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath a flat glass layer, similar to a standard gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs come with an "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the temperature.
While gas hobs remain an 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 manage. However, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern technology, you can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to fit your needs. It is important to note that these hobs will need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils which run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields that heat the pan directly rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from an energy standpoint since there's no heat being wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked on one flex area. Some of these models come with a touch-slider control that looks very similar to how you operate on an iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are believed to be more efficient over the long term as they heat up much faster and use a smaller space to heat up, which can help lower your energy costs. They also cool down quicker and feature a safer design with no hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with children or older people living in the home. However, they do generate an electric force that could affect certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean since food particles and other debris can accumulate over time. You can employ a standard oven uk cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your oven uk in good shape and shiny for a longer time. Avoid using the abrasive cleaning products or the scouring pad on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.