Types of Hob and Oven
A hob and oven is a common part of most kitchens and is available in a variety of styles. You can mix different types, such as electric and gas, to suit your needs.
A hob could also come with safety features such as child and control of the position. These features will prevent children from accidentally altering the heat setting or touching the hob.
Types
The hob is the central point of any kitchen and can have a major impact on the results of your cooking. There are many different kinds of hobs and the one you choose will depend on what your specific cooking requirements are.
Gas hobs are the classic option and provide a quick heating process and instant reaction to temperature changes. Professional chefs prefer them because they offer precise control. They aren't as simple to clean as other hobs and could require more frequent maintenance.
Electric hobs are a flat ceramic surface that has heated elements underneath and can be found in different sizes that have between four and six cooking zones. Each zone is equipped with its own heating element that can be controlled by you. It is possible to boil potatoes in one ring while cooking sausages on another. This type of hob is quicker to heat up than gas, and also offers an alternative that is safer for children since the cooking area becomes hot only when you put an oven on it.
Traditional ceramic hobs are a very comfortable alternative to gas and electric and are also a fashionable option. They are smooth and durable. surface that is easy to wipe down but aren't as responsive to temperature fluctuations as other hobs and are slower to cool down.
Domino hobs are an alternative to electric and gas hobs that have ovens underneath the cooking surface. They are perfect for kitchens with small space. They can also be used in kitchenettes and flats. They are often cheaper than a standard hob and can be extremely energy efficient but can be fragile and require more maintenance than other types of cooker.
Gas
A gas hob is a cooktop that has burners that can be installed in kitchen countertops to create a seamless look. Gas hobs are typically powered by LPG or natural gas, however they can also be powered with propane gas. They are sleek and modern design that can add a touch of sophistication to your modular kitchen.
A traditional gas stove has a range of burners, usually 4, but sometimes as many as 6. They are ignited by either a match or by turning the knob. The flames are controlled by a series of valves that can be adjusted to set the temperature.
Contrary to this, modern gas hobs with built-in gas are equipped with multi-flame burners that let you regulate the outer and inner ring of each burner to control your cooking. These burners are much faster and more reliable than earlier models.
In the past, it was required for the gas stove to be continuously lit to ensure that the burners remained hot and fuelled. This was to avoid accidents, like the mistake of turning on an oven when the stove is still lit with the help of a match or a pilot light. Modern cookers are built with safety as a priority. They are equipped with a flame failure device which shuts down the burners if the pilot light is not working.
Gas stoves and hobs have to be regularly inspected, cleaned and maintained. The best ovens method to accomplish this is to book an appointment with a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able to ensure that your appliance is operating properly, but they will also provide expert advice on how you can prevent any future issues.
Electricity
A good hob is just as crucial when it comes to creating the perfect kitchen. Refrigerators, worktops, freezers and ovens are the first things that pop up to your mind. If you choose a traditional, induction or gas cooker the kind of hob uk you pick will affect how your kitchen operates and how easy it is to keep clean.
Electric hobs are powered by heating elements that are placed on a smooth glass surface which is typically cleaned with an non-abrasive cleaner. The elements turn on when you turn the hob on and can be adjusted to a variety of power levels by turning or adjusting a control knob. They may take longer to warm up than a gas cooker but once they do they are able to provide better, regular temperature control. They also come with indicators to let you know that a zone is active or hot from cooking.
Typically, they are available in four to six different sizes of rings that can be cranked up to different power levels. They are great for cookware that is flat, but aren't the best option for cast iron pans because they can get hot. Certain models come with dual-ring designs (such as the Belling BEL CH602T) that allow you to boil water on one ring while you saute sausages on a different. Some models include a boost function that concentrates high-powered heat into a single ring for stir fry cooking sauteing meat, or boiling large pots of water.
Induction hobs differ from standard electric models as they use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware rather than the conventional method of gas flames. This allows them to reach precise temperatures in a smaller time frame, which makes them extremely energy efficient. They also have a cool to the touch surface and flashing heat indicators that inform you that a ring is in use or still hot.
Ceramic
Ceramic is a material which can be transformed into functional or decorative objects. It is made by mixing clay with earthen elements, powders and water, and firing it in a high-temperature oven called a Kiln. Once it's made it can be sprayed with paint-like or decorative materials to give it a more textured and vibrant look.
Ceramic hobs blend form and function to create a stunning piece of modern kitchen furniture. Radiant heating technology is employed to heat ceramic hobs by passing an electric current over coiled elements which are hidden beneath the black glass surface. They generate heat when activated, which is transferred to your pan through an infrared system. You can alter the intensity of this heating by controlling the controls with knobs or a touch.
Some ceramic hobs come with dual rings, with one smaller and one with a larger cooking zone. This allows you to choose the appropriate size for your pan. You can also find hobs equipped with booster burners that generate high-powered heat rapidly, great for searing meat or bringing pots of water to a boil quickly.
As compared to other types of hobs uk ceramic cooktops typically take longer to warm up and change temperature however, once they're done they're typically more efficient in terms of energy consumption. There are vented hobs that incorporate a ventilation system into the ceramic cooktop, ensuring steam, smoke and cooking smells aren't left within your home.
Induction
The heating elements inside hobs with induction are made up of a set of copper wire coils that are placed beneath the surface that create electromagnets that heat the pans that sit on them. The coils stir the free electrons within the base metal of your pan which then transfer heat evenly to your food. The surface of the hob never gets hot and, when you take off your pan, the cooking zones turn off automatically.
Induction hobs are generally more expensive, but they also heat up faster and use 30-70% lower energy than gas or other kinds. They are also easier to clean, as the hob surface itself doesn't get hot and only the contents of your pan do.
Certain manufacturers offer an induction model that has additional features such as a pause feature, which cuts the power to your stove when you step away from it, or connect two cooking rings at the same power level to provide additional flexibility. These are often called FlexInduction hobs. They are more expensive than traditional induction models, but they're worth looking into if prefer to multitask.
Our top choice is this induction hob made by Smeg, which has four good-sized cooking zones, a bridge function and nine power levels that give you plenty of choice for those who want to cook with a lot of passion. It performed well in our test, with fast heating and accurate control when making pancakes. The cooker also comes with a built-in dishwasher and an automatic pan detection function to make cleaning even simpler. There's a small selection of pans that are compatible, and it can't be used to cook using utensils that have a magnetic base. This could be a problem when you have a lot of non-compatible cookware or only some of it is suitable for induction cooktops.