Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs available, so you can choose one that is best oven suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic surface and either four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic Hobs oven
Ceramic hobs provide modern and sleek design that can really enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and are able to be cleaned up in the event of spills or splatters. They also heat up quickly best ovens and hobs are energy efficient which helps lower your electric bill. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing the temperature, which can be frustrating if you're cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs use plates that are heated by electric elements under. The elements can be controlled separately by rotary knobs and nipped up to the level of power you require. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, and even after they are turned off, they will be hot to the touch. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a location that is safe from items that could ignite and away from children's reach.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also quite affordable and can be an excellent option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. But, as with all appliances, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You'll need to buy cookware that either is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match the element, it will not recognize it and won't begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for an elegant, modern look. They can be more expensive than electric models, and require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating as an entire pot of water can typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This kind of hob is also a good choice for cooks who want to control the amount of heat being generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to build up grease and residue.
A great example of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also comes with a 4kW wok ring for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass with cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings to the left of the hob has an inner flame that doubles to ensure uniform heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also comes with an excellent power level indicator that helps to regulate the exact temperature of your flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing steaks and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls, as they were simple and intuitive. A few minor drawbacks include 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 determine the state of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available at affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not going to win any design awards, but it will serve its purpose and be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just more than PS120.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern households. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits into the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functions that are safer, faster and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most well-known electric hobs is a ceramic hob. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost function which lets you increase the heat of your cooker for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly by 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 specific kind of pan to function and are costly to set up.
A gas on glass hob is another option that is a good choice for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it has an oven hob that is surrounded by an underlying layer of flat glass. However, this glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much easier to clean than the typical glass that's tempered. Many of these hobs also include a 'hot-surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is hot.
Gas hobs are a popular choice for a lot of home cooks, but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and take an extended time to heat up and cool off. On the other hand electric hobs are energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
There are electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility needed to meet your needs. It is important to note, however, that these stoves will need to be installed by an accredited gas safe engineer and require an appropriate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Under the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that generate an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob the coils generate magnetic fields that generate heat directly inside the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely energy efficient, as they don't squander heat.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone labelled by rings to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that have up to 6 zones and allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously on one flex area. Some of these models come with a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar in the middle to select the desired heat level left to right increases heat and right to left reduces it. Certain models have preset settings that are specific to food types or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are believed to be more energy efficient over the long term as they heat up much faster and use a smaller space to heat up, which can help you save on energy bills. They also cool faster and have a safer design with no hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or older people who live in the house. However, they do create a magnetic force that could cause interference with certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
Like all electric hobs you'll need to keep your induction hob clean, because food and debris could accumulate over time. You can use an best oven uk cleaner, or you can opt for a specialist product to keep your hob sparkling and in good order for a longer time. Just be sure to never use scrubbers or pads to scour your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.