Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans using electric power or flames. There are several different types of hobs, so you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and come with five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can easily be cleaned up when spills or splatters happen. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you need to cook something that requires quick reduction or increase of heat.
Electric hobs utilize plates that are heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be adjusted through the rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, and even after they've been shut off, they will still be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge when you have children, so it's recommended to place them in a place that is well away from any flammable items and away from young children.
The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be set up in a variety of worktops, such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and is a great option for those looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. Like any appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.
The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's very sensitive to pan size and shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that is either exactly the same size as the element or that can fit comfortably into each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, the element won't recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in design. While they can cost more than electric ones and require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is ideal for cooks who need to control the amount of heat that is produced. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and may need to be cleaned more often, as grease and residue build up tends to stick rather than slide off.
This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners finished in matt black with metal control knobs for a stylish, sophisticated finish. The wok ring is 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines a stylish slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the hob has a double inner flame to ensure even heat distribution and increases cooking time. It also has a handy power indicator that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine preset settings, including a high setting to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
The simple, yet intuitive controls were appreciated by our testers who found them be very simple to use. A few minor kitchen Upgrade drawbacks are that you must physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest level of heating and it can be difficult to see the status of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are available at an affordable price. It's not going to win any design prizes, but it will serve its purpose and be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just above PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. Not only do they have an elegant design that fits into the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functionality that is safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
One of the most popular electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They're made with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to smudges and scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster function that allows you to increase the heat for a short duration.
Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs cook your food directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan and can be costly to set up.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are another great option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. However, oven this glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs are equipped with the "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the heat.
Gas hobs remain a preferred choice for many home chefs However, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and take a long time to get hot and cool off. On the other hand, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
There are electric stoves that work with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, allowing you the flexibility needed to meet your needs. It's important to note that these hobs need to be installed by an accredited gas safe engineer. They also require a dedicated cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They're not suitable for people who have pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils run an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields which heat the pan directly rather than heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are efficient in energy use, since they don't use any heat.
There are a myriad of models of an induction hob starting from basic ones that have a single cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously on one flex zone. Certain models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar located in the middle to select the desired level of heat left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more energy efficient over the long term. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating area which could reduce the cost of energy. They cool faster, and they have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them a great choice for ovens and hobs uk (https://yogaasanas.science/wiki/Why_Oven_And_Hob_Is_Relevant_2024) families that have children or elderly residents. However, they do generate a magnetic force that could cause interference with certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean since food particles and other debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to keep your hob sparkling and in good order for a longer time. Just be sure to never use scrubbers or pads for scouring on your induction hob uk as they could scratch the surface.