Types of Hobs
A best hob uk, which is also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric or flames. There are several different types of hobs, and you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with flat ceramic surfaces and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer modern and sleek design that can really enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can easily be wiped down if spills or splatters occur. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow to change temperatures and can be a hassle when cooking food that requires immediate reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be controlled separately by rotary knobs and nipped up to the level of power you require. You can also use the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even after they are turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a place that is safe from items that could ignite and away from children's reach.
This kind of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops, including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable and can be a great option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. Like all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure your new Hobs oven are safe to use.
The downside to this kind of best hob uk is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You will need to purchase cookware that matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element will not recognise it and won't start to heat up the base of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs have a sleek and modern look. While they be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation, they typically take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This type of hob is also a great option for cooks who like to control the amount of heat produced. However, it should be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and will likely require cleaning more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to remain rather than slide off.
This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs to give it a chic, sophisticated finish. It also includes the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easy to clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the gas hob provides two burners inside to increase the distribution of heat and accelerate cooking. It also has an indicator for power that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as high settings to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and easy to use. A few minor issues are that you have to press the controls nine more times before reaching the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is one of the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that are available at a low cost. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen for just over PS120.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that work for modern households. They are not only sleek and stylish, but also faster, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster function that allows you to increase the heat for a brief time.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work and can be expensive to install.
Glass hobs with gas are a different option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath the glass, which is flat, similar to a conventional gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs also have a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.
Although gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes a long time to warm up and cool down. On the other hand, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, so you can adjust your cooking to fit your needs. It's important to keep in mind that these hobs need to be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils run an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a stove, the coils create magnetic fields that create heat directly within the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from an energy point of view, as there's no residual heat being wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone labelled by rings up to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these premium models come with a touch-slider control that resembles to how you operate on an iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models have preset settings that are specific to recipes or food types that can cut down time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are considered to be more efficient in the long run as they heat up much quicker and have a smaller area to heat up which could help you save on energy bills. They cool quicker and are more secure without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families that have children or elderly people. However, they do generate magnetic forces that can interfere with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on 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 use a standard best oven uk cleaner, or you can purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your hob shiny and in good condition for a longer time. Just be sure to never use scrubbers or pads to scour your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.