Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans using electricity or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can pick the one that best fits your kitchen and your style.
Induction hobs are equipped with a flat ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have an elegant and contemporary look that can really enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be wiped down in the event of spills or splatters. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can help reduce your energy bills. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing the temperature which can be a problem if you're cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually via the rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a particular zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, and even after they have been turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. This can be a problem when you have children, so it's best to place them in a location that is well away from flammable objects and not within reach of children.
This kind of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops, including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is a great option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains, and we recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern design. They can be more expensive than electric models, and could require professional installation. However, they heat up faster as a full pot of water can typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This type of hob also is ideal for cooks who wish to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to build up grease and residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs to create a sleek, elegant look. It also comes with the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easy to clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the gas hob provides two burners inside to increase the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also features an indicator for power that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-set settings, ovens hobs (from the menwiki.men blog) like a high setting to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.
Its simple yet intuitive controls were also well appreciated by our testers who found them to be very easy to use. Some minor disadvantages are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest heating level and it may be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs can be found at an affordable price, such as this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design awards, but it will do the job and can be an excellent option for your kitchen at just over 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. They're not just elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most well-known electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They're designed with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also usually fitted with a power boost function, which allows you to increase the temperature of your stove for a short amount of time.
Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However, they require a specific kind of pan to work and can be expensive to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that is a good choice for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under an unidirectional glass layer similar to a standard gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempered glass. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the oven is hot.
Although gas hobs are an option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to cool down and warm down and their flames can be difficult to control. In contrast, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
To achieve the highest level of modern technology You can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, oven with Hob allowing you the flexibility to meet your needs. It's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated 6mm cable in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers because the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils run an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields that directly heat the pan instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs oven are energy efficient, as they don't waste any heat.
There are many models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone identified by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked on one flex area. Certain models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired temperature, left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Certain models have preset settings for specific food types or recipes that can cut down time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are considered to be more efficient in the long run since they heat up quicker and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help reduce your energy bills. They also cool down quicker and feature a safer design with no hot plates, making them ideal for families with children or elderly people living in the house. However, they create a magnetic field which could cause interference with medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it is important to place your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a regular oven and hob cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to help keep your hob clean and in good shape for a longer time. You should never use the abrasive cleaning products or the scratching pads on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.