Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans with flame or electricity. There are many different kinds of hobs, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have a flat ceramic surface and either four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide an elegant and contemporary look that can really enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that is easy to clean, which means spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you are cooking something that requires a rapid reduction or increase of the heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted by rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a certain zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even when they are turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This could be a problem when you have children, so it's advisable to place them in a location that is away from flammable objects and not within reach of little ones.
This kind of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also fairly affordable and is an excellent option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. Like all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element will not recognize it and won't begin to heat up the base of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern look. While they can be more expensive than electric models and may require professional installation, they usually require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to come to a boil in four minutes or less. This type of hob is also a good choice for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat being generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob uk is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and will require cleaning more frequently, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface rather than slide off.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners finished in matt black with metal control knobs to create a sleek, elegant look. It also comes with a 4kW wok ring for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easier to keep clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines an attractive slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings to the left of the hob offers an inner flame that doubles to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution and accelerates cooking time. It also comes with a handy power level indicator that assists in regulating 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.
Our testers also liked the controls as they were simple and easy to use. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you need to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest heating level, and that it can be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best oven gas-on-glass hobs are available at an affordable price like this Neff model. Although it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits in with 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.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature, which allows you to increase the temperature of your stove for a short period of time.
Induction hobs oven are another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. Induction hobs heat cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric and gas plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to work with them and can be expensive to install.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it comes with the burner underneath a layer of flat glass. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's easier to clean than glass that's tempered. A lot of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is hot.
Gas hobs remain a popular choice for many home chefs However, they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take a while to heat up and cool down, and their flame can be difficult to control. Electric hobs on the other hand are more efficient in energy use and easy to clean.
There are electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to fit your needs. It is important to remember that these hobs will need to be installed by an accredited gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs and ovens are not suitable for those who have pacemakers since the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current 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 heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient in energy use, since they don't use any heat.
There are many different models of induction hob that range from basic models that have one cooking zone that is with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Certain models come with a touch slider control that is very similar to the way you operate on an iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models have preset settings that are specific to food items or recipes which can help you save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more energy efficient in the long run. They can heat faster and have a smaller heating space which can reduce your energy bills. They cool faster and also have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them ideal for families that have elderly or children. However, they do generate magnetic forces that can affect certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
As with all electric hobs you will need to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can make use of a basic oven cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shining for a longer time. Just be sure to never use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads to scour your induction hob as they can scratch the surface.