Types of Hob and Oven
Hobs and ovens are a popular feature in many kitchens. They are available in many different designs. You can mix and match different types like domino, electric and gas to fit your cooking needs.
A hob can also come with safety features, such as child and control of the position. These features can stop children from accidentally changing the heat setting or touching the stove.
Types
The hob is the central point of any kitchen and has a huge impact on the results of your cooking. There are a number of different types of hob and the one you select will depend on what your specific cooking needs are.
Gas hobs are a classic choice, and they provide a rapid heat-up function and instant reaction to temperature fluctuations. They are a preferred choice for professional chefs as they provide precise control. They aren't as simple to clean as other hobs and may require more maintenance.
Electric hobs are a flat ceramic surface that has heated elements beneath. They are available in different sizes that have between four and six cooking zones. Each zone is equipped with its own heating element which can be controlled individually by you. This allows you to boil potatoes on one ring while cooking sausages in a different. This type of hob can be more efficient than gas and is an option for children to be safe since the cooking area only becomes hot when you put a pan on it.
Traditional ceramic hobs are a comfortable alternative to electric and gas and are also a fashionable option. They have an even and smooth surface that is easy to clean. However, they are not as quick to respond to temperature changes or to cool down as other hobs.
The Domino hob is a space-saving alternative to gas and electric hobs. It incorporates ovens under the cooking surface. They are great for kitchens with little space. They can also be used in kitchenettes and flats. They are often cheaper than a standard hob and can be very energy-efficient however they are also fragile and require more attention than other types of cookers.
Gas
Gas hobs are cooktops that have burners that can be easily integrated into kitchen countertops to create a seamless look. Gas hobs are usually powered by LPG or natural gas, but they are also powered by propane gas. They are sleek and modern design that can give a sophisticated touch to your modular kitchen.
A traditional gas stove comes with a range of burners, typically 4 but sometimes up to 6. The burners can be ignited by a match or a knob. The flames are controlled by a set of valves which can be adjusted to regulate the temperature.
The majority of modern gas stoves built-in however, have burners with multiple flames. This allows you to control both the outer and inner rings of each burner so that you can precisely control your cooking. These burners are faster and more reliable than older models.
In the past, it was required for gas stoves to be constantly lit to ensure that the burners remained hot and well-fueled. This was a safety feature to prevent any accidents like not turning off the oven when the stove was lit by a match or pilot flame. Modern cookers are designed with safety as a top priority. They are equipped with a fire failure device which shuts down the burners when the pilot light is not working.
Gas stoves and hobs need to be checked, cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. To accomplish this, you must book a visit from a Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able ensure that your appliance is operating correctly, but also offer expert advice on how you can prevent any future issues.
Electricity
A quality hob is equally important when it comes to creating the perfect kitchen. Refrigerators, worktops, freezers, and ovens are the first things that come to mind. The type of hob you select will influence the way your kitchen operates and also how easy it is for you to clean.
Electric hobs have heating elements under a smooth glass surface which is typically cleaned using a non-abrasive cleaning agent. These elements are activated when you turn on the oven and can be adjusted to various power levels using a control knob. It may take them some time to warm up however once they are heated, they have a tendency to offer more stable and reliable temperature control. They are equipped with indicators that tell you whether a particular area is hot or not.
Typically, they are available in a range of four to six sized rings that can be cranked up to various levels of power. They are perfect for cookware with a flat base but aren't the best ovens and hobs uk choice for cast iron pans because they can get hot. Certain models (such as Belling BELCH602T) come with dual rings that let you cook sausages and boil water on the same ring. Certain models come with a Boost function that focuses high heat into one ring. This is helpful for stirring-frying, searing meat or boiling large pots.
Induction hobs differ from normal electric models as they use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware, rather than the conventional method of gas flames. They can reach precise temperatures quicker and are more efficient in energy use. They also have a cool to the touch surface and flashing heat indicators to inform you that the ring is in use or is still hot.
Ceramic
Ceramics can be used to create functional or decorative objects. It is made by mixing clay with earthen elements, powders and water, and firing it in a high-temperature oven with hob called a Kiln. Once it's been made, it can then be painted or covered with decorative materials to give it texture and colour.
Ceramic hobs blend form and function to create a stunning piece of contemporary kitchen furniture. Radiant heating technology is employed to heat ceramic hobs by passing an electrical current through coiled elements that are concealed beneath the black glass surface. When they are activated, they create heat, which is then transferred to the pan by an infrared system. You can alter the intensity of this heating by adjusting the controls using a knobs or buttons.
Some ceramic hobs come with dual ring designs that have one smaller and a larger cooking area, allowing you to choose the most suitable size for your pan. You can also get hobs with booster burners that produce high-powered heat in a short time perfect for searing food or bringing pans of water to a boil in a short time.
Ceramic cooktops are more efficient in energy than other types of hobs because they take longer to heat up and switch temperatures. There are vented hobs that integrate a ventilation system within the cooktop's ceramic, making sure that smoke, steam and cooking smells aren't left within your home.
Induction
The heating elements of hobs with induction are made up of copper wire coils beneath the surface. They create electromagnets that heat the pans that sit on them. The coils stir up the free electrons in the base metal of your pan which in turn, distributes heat evenly to your food. The surface of the hob is never hot, and as soon as you remove your pan the cooking zones switch off automatically.
Induction hobs are typically more expensive, but they also are more efficient in heating and consume 30-70% lower energy than gas or other kinds. They are also easier to clean, as the best hob uk surface itself isn't hot, and only the contents of your pan do.
Some manufacturers provide an induction model that comes with additional features, like a pause feature, which cuts the energy to your stove when you leave or connect two cooking rings at the same power for more flexibility. These are sometimes called FlexInduction hobs. They may be more expensive than traditional induction models but they're worth a look for those who value multitasking. you.
Our favorite is this induction hob from Smeg. It has four good-sized cooking zones, a bridge function and nine power levels, giving you a variety of options for those who want to cook with a lot of passion. It did well in our tests with fast heating and accurate control when making pancakes. The cooker also comes with an integrated dishwasher as well as an automatic pan detection function to make cleaning a lot simpler. The only issue is that there are only a handful of compatible pans and you can't use it to cook using the utensils that have magnetic bases. It can be a problem when you have a lot of cookware that is not compatible or some of it is compatible with induction hobs.