Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with flames or electricity. There are several different types of hobs, and you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer an elegant and contemporary look that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned in the event of spills or splatters. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to adjust temperature settings which can be a problem when cooking something that requires immediate reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs utilize an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through rotating knobs. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a place that is far from items that could ignite and away from children's reach.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be put in on a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid wood and granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, so we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your 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 to buy cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognize it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer an elegant, modern look. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and require professional installation. However they heat up faster as an entire pot of water will typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of stove is also a great choice for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat being generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they tend to build up grease and sludge.
This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs for a stylish, sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
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 rings that are located to the left of the hob offers the double inner flame to ensure even heat distribution which increases cooking time. It also comes with an easy-to-read power level indicator that helps to regulate the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing steaks and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were loved by our test subjects who found them to be very easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you must press the controls a further nine times before reaching the maximum heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to see what the burners are doing.
Some of the best hob uk gas on glass hobs can be found at affordable prices like this Neff model. While it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. They not only offer an elegant design that blends in with the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with advanced functionality that is safer, quicker and more efficient in energy use than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster function which allows you to boost the heat for a brief time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob perfect for modern homes. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan, and can be costly to set up.
Gas on glass hobs are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it has an best oven uk that is surrounded by an underlying layer of flat glass. However the glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much simpler to clean than standard glass that's tempered. Many of these hobs also come with a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.
While gas hobs are still an option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to cool down and warm down and their flame can be difficult to control. However, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
For the highest level of modern technology You can also find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to meet your needs. However, it's important to note that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers since the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Under the glass surface of induction hobs uk sit copper coils that run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a hob the coils produce magnetic fields that create heat directly within the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from a energy perspective because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are many different models of induction hobs, from basic entry level models that have only one cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones, allowing you to cook multiple pots at once on a flex zone. Some of these models have a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or best ovens and Hobs food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are thought to be more efficient over the long term since they heat up faster and use a smaller space to heat up which could help reduce your energy bills. They cool quicker and are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people. However, they do produce a magnetic force that could affect certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean regularly as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard best oven cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your stove in good shape and shiny for a longer time. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.