Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using flames or electricity. There are a variety of hobs available, so you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and include five or four zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide an elegant and contemporary look that can improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and are able to be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can help reduce your electricity bills. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to change temperature settings and can be a hassle if you're cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs utilize a solid plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. They can be individually controlled using rotary knobs and notched to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of 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.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be put in on a variety of worktops, including laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and can be a great option for those looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they must be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.
This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You'll need cookware that is either exactly the same dimensions as the element or that can fit comfortably into each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it will not recognize it and won't begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer a sleek, modern aesthetic. They are more expensive than electric hobs, and could require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating as the water in a full pot can often boil in less than 4 minutes. This kind of stove is also a great choice for cooks who prefer to limit the amount of heat being produced. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they are more likely to accumulate grease and other residue.
One of the Best place to buy oven and hob examples of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. It also includes an oblong wok ring with 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left side of the gas hob features a double inner burner to improve the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also features a handy power indicator that lets you control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including the highest setting for searing a steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test participants also liked the controls as they were simple and easy to use. Some minor issues are the fact that you need to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest level of heating and it may be difficult to see the status of the burners through the glass.
Some of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available for an affordable price like this Neff model. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen at just 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. They're not only elegant and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most well-known electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster function that allows you to increase the heat for a brief period of time.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob uk that is perfect for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and have precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to work and can be costly to set up.
Gas on glass hobs are a different option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath an unidirectional glass layer similar to a conventional gas stove. However it's heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much easier to clean than the typical glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs also have a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the hob is hot.
While gas hobs are still a popular option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to cool down and warm down and their flame can be difficult to control. On the other hand, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
For the highest level of modern technology, you can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, so you can adjust your cooking to suit your lifestyle. It's important to note that these hobs must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a dedicated 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Under the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that generate an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils produce magnetic fields that directly heat the pan instead of heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy standpoint, as there's no residual heat being wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction hobs, from basic entry level ones with a single cooking zone with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones and allow the cooking of multiple pots at once on a flex zone. Some of these premium models feature a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar at the middle to select the desired level of heat left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are believed to be more efficient over the long term because they heat up faster and use a smaller space to heat up which could help you save on energy bills. They cool down faster, and they are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them ideal for families with elderly or children. However, they can create magnetic fields that could interfere with some medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your stove in good shape and shiny for a longer time. Be sure to not use scrubbers or pads to scour your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.