Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans with flame or electricity. There are many different kinds of hobs available, so you can choose one that is best hob suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic cooking surface 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 provide modern and sleek design which can greatly improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can easily be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your energy bills. However, one downside of ceramic hobs oven (Get the facts) is that they tend to be slow to change the temperature which can be a problem if you're cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs utilize plates that are heated by electric elements beneath. The elements can be individually controlled using rotary knobs and notched up to the level of power you require. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular zone. Ceramic hobs also have very high rate of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch even after being shut off. This can be a challenge for families with children, so it's advisable to install them in a place that is well away from flammable objects and out of reach of little ones.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be set up in a variety of worktops, such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and is a great alternative if you are looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains, so we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.
The downside to this kind of hob is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You'll need to buy cookware that is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it will not recognise it and won't start to heat the base of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern design. They are more expensive than electric models and may require professional installations. However they are also more efficient in heating and an entire pot of water can often boil in less than 4 minutes. This type of hob is also a good choice for cooks who want to control the amount of heat generated. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they tend to accumulate grease and other residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners finished in matt black with metal control knobs to give it a chic, sophisticated appearance. It also comes with the wok ring that has 4kW for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines a stylish slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the hob has a double inner flame to ensure even heat distribution and increases cooking time. It also has an indicator for power that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Its simple yet easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them be extremely easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you need to press the controls nine more times before reaching the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
This Neff model is one of the best hobs gas-on-glass hobs that you can buy at a reasonable price. It's not going win any design prizes however it's going to do the job and can be a great option for your kitchen at just over PS120.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that work 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, more efficient and energy-efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. They're made with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature that allows you to increase your heat for a short duration.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob perfect for modern homes. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan and can be costly to install.
Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it has a burner beneath a layer of flat glass. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot 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 but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to warm up and cool down, and their flame can be difficult to manage. Electric hobs, on other hand are more efficient in energy and easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. But, it's important to remember that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
On the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a hob, the coils create magnetic fields that create heat directly within the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are efficient in energy use, Best place to buy Oven and hob since they don't use any heat.
There are a myriad of models of induction hobs, from basic entry level ones that have one cooking zone that is marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs with up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots at once on a flex zone. Some of these premium models come with the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you 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 area for heating which could reduce your energy costs. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design without hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with children or elderly people who live in the house. However, they create a magnetic field which could interfere with some medical devices such as pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your electric hob frequently, since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to keep your hob shiny and in good condition for longer. Make sure you don't use scrubbers or pads for scouring on your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.