Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans using electric power or flames. There are several different types of hobs, and you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic cooking surface and have four or five zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern and sleek look. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps lower your electric bill. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to adjust the temperature, which can be frustrating when cooking food that requires a quick reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. They can be individually controlled by rotary knobs and nipped up to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a specific area. 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 if you have children, so it's recommended to install them in a location that is well away from any flammable items and out of reach of little ones.
This type of hob can be used on a variety of worktops, including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be a great option if you want to replace your stove without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, Best oven they must be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You will need to purchase cookware that either matches the element precisely or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, it will not recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs Oven made of gas are sleek and contemporary in look. They are more expensive than electric models, and could require professional installation. However they heat up faster as an entire pot of water will typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of hob is also a great option for cooks who prefer to limit the amount of heat produced. However, it should be noted that a glass hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and may need to be cleaned more often, as the accumulation of grease and Hobs oven residue tends to stay on the surface rather than slide 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 for a stylish, sophisticated appearance. It also has an oblong wok ring with 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob features the double inner flame to ensure even heat distribution which increases cooking time. It also has an excellent power level indicator, which allows you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our test participants also liked the controls as they were simple and intuitive. A few minor issues are that you have to press the controls nine times before reaching the maximum heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
A few of the top gas on glass hobs are available at an affordable price like this Neff model. It's not going to win any design awards, but it will perform the task and be a great option for your kitchen at just above 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functionality that is safer, faster and more efficient in energy use than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost feature that allows you to increase the temperature of your stove for a brief period of time.
Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan, and can be costly to install.
Glass hobs with gas are a great alternative for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it has a burner beneath the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempering glass. A lot of these hobs are equipped with a "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.
Gas hobs remain a popular choice for many home chefs however they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take a while to warm up and cool down and their flame can be difficult to manage. On the other hand electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
You can even find electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility needed to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to note, however, that these hobs will require installation by a registered gas safe engineer and require a separate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils generate 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 a energy standpoint since there's no heat being wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone identified by rings up to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously on one flex area. Certain models come with the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Certain models have preset settings for certain recipes or food types which can help you save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are more efficient in the long term. They can heat faster and have a smaller area for heating which could reduce your energy costs. They also cool down faster and have a safer design with no hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or older people living in the home. However, they create a magnetic field which could cause interference with medical devices such as pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your hob sparkling and in good order for a longer time. You should never use any abrasive cleaning product or scouring pad on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.