Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using flames or electricity. There are a variety of hobs available, so you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer an elegant and contemporary look that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can quickly be cleaned up if spills or splatters occur. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing temperature settings. This can be a problem when you need to cook something that requires quick reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs are comprised of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. These elements can be individually controlled using rotary knobs and notched to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs also have very high rate of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch after being turned off. This can be a problem if you have children, so it's advisable to place them in a location that is away from any flammable items and away from young children.
This type of hob can be used on a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be a great option if you want to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. But, as with all appliances, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, the element won't recognise it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass Hobs Oven
Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in appearance. They can be more expensive than electric models and could require professional installation. However they heat up faster - the water in a full pot can often boil within less than four minutes. This type of stove is ideal for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is produced. However, it must be observed that a glass-based hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and may require cleaning more often, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of slipping off.
One of the Best place to buy oven and hob examples of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs to create an elegant and sophisticated appearance. It also includes a 4kW wok ring to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the hob offers a double inner flame to ensure uniform heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also comes with a handy power level indicator, which allows you to control the precise temperature of your flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including a high setting for searing a steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our testers also liked the controls as they were simple and easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are that you must physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest heating level, and that it can be difficult to discern the state of the burners through the glass.
Some of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available for affordable prices, such as this Neff model. It's not going win any design awards however it's going to do the job and can be an excellent option for your kitchen at just more than PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. They're not just sleek and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're made with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. These hobs also come with a power booster feature that allows you to increase your heat for a short duration.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs cook your food directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric and gas plates. They are therefore more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan, and can be costly to install.
A gas-on-glass hob is another option that is a good choice for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it features an oven that is surrounded by a layer of flat glass. However the glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's easier to clean than standard tempered glass. A lot of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is hot.
While gas hobs are still a popular option for many home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take a long time to heat up and cool off. Electric hobs, on other side, are more efficient in energy use and are easier to clean.
You can even find electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, so you'll be able to suit your lifestyle. It's important to remember that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils create an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils generate magnetic fields which direct heat the pan, instead of heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from a energy perspective, as there's no residual heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of an induction hob that range from basic models that have only one cooking zone that is marked with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones, allowing you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Some of these premium models come with a touch-slider control that is very similar to how you operate on an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar located in the middle to select the desired level of heat, left to right boosts heat and right-to-left decreases it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more efficient in the long term. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating space which can lower your energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or older people living in the home. However, they can create magnetic fields that can affect medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs you'll need to keep your electric hob clean as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can employ a standard oven cleaner or invest in a professional one to keep your oven in good condition and shining for longer. Avoid using any abrasive cleaning product or a scouring pad on your stove as they may scratch the surface.