Types of oven with hob Hob
A hob is flat cooking surface that is placed over your oven to heat your pots and pans. There are various types of hobs available, including gas, electric, and induction.
Things to look out for include touch, rotary and position controls. These controls allow you to control heating zones by pressing one button. They also prevent them from being knocked down easily, especially when they are used by children.
Ceramic Hobs
Ceramic hobs are stylish and functionality in a contemporary kitchen. The glossy surface is susceptible to damage from food scratch marks and other residues. To keep your cooktop looking good and functioning effectively, you should maintain an ongoing cleaning routine. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or a scrubbing pad.
These types of hobs are heated by passing an electrical current through coiled elements that are hidden beneath the glass surface, which produce heat when activated by control knobs. Some models use an element that radiates heat to the surface of the glass. Others employ halogen elements, which are far more powerful and can heat the entire surface in a series of pulses, which makes them ideal for cooking in short time.
A lot of our ceramic hobs come with advanced safety features like residual heat indicators that alert you when the surface is hot to the touch to prevent burns. Some also have child locks to protect children from accidentally altering the settings.
It is essential to select the right cookware for your ceramic hob. This ensures that your pans are flat-bottomed, which helps to ensure uniform heat distribution and helps to prevent hot spots that could cause under or overcooked food. It is also important to avoid drag pans across the kitchen surface as this could scratch the tempered glass.
We recommend ceramic hobs that have a dual-ring design, or the 'I Flex' zone. It can be used to accommodate two single pots, or one large pan. You'll require a pan of minimum dimensions of 30cm to register. We also have models with a booster burner for rapid heating of specific zones or pots, which is great for stir-fry or searing steak. Certain models come with an automatic shut-off function that shuts off the hob at a set time to prevent overheating. This is a useful safety feature to have in place for peace of mind. This function is usually activated by pressing the 'Power' button on the control panel when you have an appliance set up to the maximum temperature and no activity is detected for a predetermined period of time.
Gas Hobs
A gas hob, sometimes known as a gas cooker or gas stove, is an appliance in the kitchen that uses the flammable natural or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) as the source of fuel. The flame heats the cookware as well as the air surrounding it which enables quick cooking and precise temperature control. The elevated design of a gas hob adds security as it stops the body from coming into contact with the flame, eliminating the risk of burns. However, this elevated construction requires a special attention when using and cleaning the hob to avoid accidentally spilling liquids on the burners.
The burners of a traditional gas hob are controlled manually and lit with matches. Modern models have an automatic igniter, which makes sure that the gas is lit in a controlled manner. The flame can be controlled by the control knobs. This makes it easy to adjust the heat level. Some gas hobs are equipped with multiple flame burners, dependent on the model. This provides greater cooking flexibility.
Gas hobs require a constant gas supply, which can be an issue if you live in a place with a sporadic or unreliable supply. Gas hobs also require frequent maintenance to prevent leaks and corrosion. Gas hobs should be installed by Gas Safe registered Fitters who can guarantee that the installation is safe and adhere to strict safety guidelines.
Gas appliances are still popular in certain areas, even though electric and induction hobs have gained in popularity. This is partly due to consumer preferences and concerns about the environment and local energy prices and availability. It is crucial to think about the kitchen's cost of utility and infrastructure before selecting a kitchen style.
Induction Hobs
Induction hobs are the most popular choice for our customers who want a sleek and clean-looking kitchen. They make use of magnetism to heat the pans instead of heating plates or burning gas beneath. Copper coils are situated beneath the glass ceramic's surface. An alternating electric current is run through them. When an induction-compatible pot or pan is placed over the cooker, the coils locate its magnetic base and heat the pot or pan directly. This is much faster than traditional gas stoves and is more efficient in energy usage. The glass-ceramic surfaces are cool to touch and easy to clean.
Like other modern hobs, the induction ones are also designed to be more easy to clean than gas counterparts. A quick wipe with a damp cloth is all you need to keep your induction hob looking good as new.
Induction cooking requires that you use the right cookware. All pans, including cast iron stainless steel, non-stick and cast iron ones, need a base that is magnetic. If you're not sure whether your existing cookware is induction-compatible, a quick test is to place a magnet on the bottom of the pan. If it sticks firmly, then your pan is induction-compatible.
There are a variety of induction hobs and ovens that are available, from budget models up to top brands that feature TFT displays with an extensive menu of operating options. When a pan is placed on a power zone, the hob will show you its position on the full colour display, with an adjustment button or slider which allows you to change the power setting or set a timer. There are other clever accessories that are available, like pan sensors that stick to the sides of your cookware and communicate with the hob through bluetooth to regulate the power exactly.
Induction hobs equipped with a built-in fan reduce steam, smoke, and cooking smells. This model is perfect for homes with limited space as it removes the need for an additional extractor fan. It utilizes magnetic fields that are within the kilohertz frequency range to produce heat that affects the pan and its contents. In normal operation the magnetic fields are within the range of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection's reference value for the density of magnetic fields for the relevant frequency. There are no health hazards to be expected.
Electric Hobs
The best hob electric hobs are sleek and designed to fit all kitchen designs. They are perfect for those who prefer touch controls over dials, and are available with a range of options that will suit your cooking requirements. The majority of these are made from glass, which is easy-to-clean and stylish in a white or black style. Some models feature a bridge feature to combine two zones to accommodate larger pans, while others have an extra power boost button that provides additional heat for those who have a difficult task.
Induction hobs are gaining popularity due to their modern and clean design that fits well with today's kitchen designs. They cook quickly and offer an excellent level of security. They tend to cool faster than gas cookers and come with an indicator light that stays on when the cooking zone is hot to the touch. They also are more efficient because the magnetic field only heats the pan and not the air surrounding it.
But, there are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an induction cooker - most require a specific power supply with the appropriate cables and breakers so we'd recommend having your electric cooker installed by a qualified electrician. Induction hobs can be expensive and you'll need to purchase a set compatible induction pans to get the most benefit from them. They can also be more expensive to operate because they typically consume more energy than other hobs.
If you're thinking about the possibility of a new kitchen or replacing your current hob, why not take a an look at our wide selection of kitchen appliances? We can assist you in choosing the right oven hob that will match your style and preferences. Our experts are always available to discuss your options and answer any questions you have. We provide an all-encompassing delivery service and can even set up your new appliance for you should you wish us to.