Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans by using electricity or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can choose the one that best oven suits your kitchen and your style.
Induction hobs feature a flat ceramic cooking surface and have five or four zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek look. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that is easy to clean, which means spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your electricity bills. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to change temperature settings, which can be frustrating when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs utilize a solid plate that is heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be individually adjusted via the rotary knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even after they've been shut off, they'll be hot to the touch. This can be a problem if you have children, so it's advisable to place them in a location that is away from any flammable items and not within reach of young children.
This kind of hob can be used on a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively affordable and is an excellent alternative if you're looking to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. But, as with all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's very sensitive to pan size and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, it will not recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in look. They are more expensive than electric models and could require professional installation. However they heat up faster and the water in a full pot can typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of hob is also a great option for cooks who prefer to control the amount of heat being generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to accumulate grease and sludge.
A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs to create an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the gas hob has a double inner burner to improve the distribution of heat and accelerate cooking. It also has an easy-to-read power level indicator, which helps to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
The simple, yet intuitive controls were loved by our test subjects who found them be very simple to use. Some minor disadvantages are that you have to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest level of heating and it may be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best hobs uk gas-on-glass hobs are available for affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design awards but it'll perform the task and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just above 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They're not just elegant ovens and hobs stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster feature that allows you to increase the heat for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy-efficient and have precise temperature control. However, they require a specific kind of pan to work with them and can be expensive to set up.
A gas on glass hob is a different option that is a good option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it comes with the burner underneath a layer of flat glass. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.
While gas hobs remain an option that is popular with home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes some time to get hot and cool off. However electric hobs are energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
There are electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. It's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're not suitable for those with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils create an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob the coils generate magnetic fields that create heat directly within the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely efficient from a energy point of view, as there's no residual heat that is wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves starting with the basic models with a single zone marked by rings, to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously in one flex space. Certain models have the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models have preset settings for specific food types 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 term. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller heating space which could reduce your energy bills. They cool down faster and have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them ideal for families that have children or elderly people. They do, however, produce a magnetic force that could affect certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can either use a standard oven uk cleaning product or purchase a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shining for a longer time. You should never use abrasive cleaning products or scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.