Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans with flame or electricity. There are many different kinds of hobs, and you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs are equipped with a flat ceramic surface and either four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern design. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and are able to be cleaned up when spills or splatters happen. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to adjust temperature settings, which can be frustrating if you're cooking something that requires immediate reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted by rotary knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch after being shut off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in an area that is safe from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.
This kind of hob is able to be mounted on a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and is a great option if you want to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. However, like all appliances they do need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's very sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You'll need cookware that's exactly the same size as the element, or that can fit comfortably into each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element will not recognize it and won't begin to heat the base of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and make the hob less energy efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in appearance. They are more expensive than electric models and may require professional installations. However they heat up faster and an entire pot of water can typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of stove is also a good choice for cooks who prefer to regulate the amount of heat being generated. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to build up grease and residue.
One of the best hob examples of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four matt black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the gas hob features an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also comes with an indicator for power that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like a high setting to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled eggs.
Its simple yet easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them be very easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are that you need to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest heating level and it can be difficult to discern the state of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas on glass hobs can be found at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design awards but it'll perform the task and be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just over PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. They're not just sleek and best ovens and hobs uk (click through the up coming article) stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. They're made with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also often equipped with a power boost feature, which allows you to increase the heat of your hob 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, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular type of pan to work with them and can be expensive to install.
Gas on glass hobs are a different option for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it has an oven that is surrounded by an underlying layer of flat glass. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempering glass. A majority of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is heated.
Gas hobs remain a preferred choice for many home chefs however they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take a while to cool down and warm down, and their flame can be hard to manage. On the other hand, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the highest level of modern technology You can also find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, meaning you can adjust your cooking to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to note, however, that these hobs and ovens require the installation of an accredited gas safe engineer. They also require a separate cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils conduct an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob, the coils create magnetic fields that produce heat directly inside the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from an energy point of view because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves, from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone identified by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves with up to 6 zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked within a flex area. Some of these premium models feature 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 located in the middle. Some models have pre-programmed settings for certain 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 also more efficient in the long term. They can heat faster and have a smaller heating area which can lower your energy bills. They cool faster and also are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them ideal for families with elderly or children. However, they do create magnetic forces that can affect certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Be sure to not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on your induction hob as they could scratch the surface.