Leave a Pot on the Hob
Nigella's recipes often suggest you leave an oven with hob on however what does this mean? A hob, or stovetop or cooktop in British English, can be gas or electric.
Dual fuel cookers combine a gas hob with an electric oven to provide the best of both. They provide instant heat, but are more expensive to operate than single fuel models.
Hobs made of solid plates
Solid plate hobs have been a stalwart of many homes for decades. They are an excellent choice for those who want to save money. Their design is flat metal plates that heat up by using electricity. Their low initial cost can lead to higher energy bills in the future due to their inefficient use. These hobs also require a large amount of heat that is left over, meaning that they take longer to warm up and cool down than their modern counterparts.
A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic which is more expensive to purchase, but far less expensive to operate. Hobs of this type come in a variety of different styles, including curving and flat and can be paired with a range of ovens to fit any kitchen layout. They are also easy to clean and blend into modern homes.
Induction hobs are the next step since they utilize electromagnetic fields to cookware directly. This means that the hob surface itself remains cool, reducing the risk of accidental burns and making it safer for children children to touch. Induction hobs also heat up and cool off the fastest.
When deciding which type of hob to purchase, it's important to consider your cooking habits and energy needs. Solid plate hobs may be cheap, but they are not efficient. Ceramic and gas hobs, on the other hand, are more expensive but are more efficient. Induction hobs provide an intermediate option and combine efficiency with a fashionable design.
Gas hobs
The top gas hobs are easy to use, have a clean and attractive appearance and are made from sturdy materials. They should come with a long-lasting warranty and be easy to clean. They are also required to be compatible with a range of cookware, and provide instant heat control.
Gas hobs operate by connecting each burner to a gas source, which then ignites the fuel and creates the flame. The flame warms both the air and the pan which allows for precise temperature control. Some models include a visual flame indicator, making it easy to see when the burners are on or off in an instant. Gas hobs also have multiple burners of different sizes as well as automatic ignition and an adjustable drip pan.
Modern gas hobs come with either a stainless steel or ceramic top. Some even come with a sleek black finish. Based on the design of your kitchen, there is also the option to choose vented or open-burner gas hobs. Open-burner gas stoves don't have an extractor built in, which takes the smoke and steam out of the cooking pans.
Open-burner stoves feature a classic look with metal grates, knobs and handles, while vented stoves are more modern with a flat glass surface. Some models have an extra-wide pan supports, which are great for large pots and pans.
Despite the increasing popularity of electric hobs such as ceramic and induction but there is a significant customer base for gas hobs. This is due in part to consumer preferences and the familiarity with gas cooking. However, several government regulations are promoting the elimination of appliances powered by fossil fuels in favour of energy-efficient alternatives.
All gas-powered hobs require electrical components to operate, which is why it is essential to have your gas cooker installed by a certified electrician and carpenter who can make sure that the installation is secure and conform to industry standards. If you're installing a gas-powered hob, your electrician will need to route an electrical power cable and a gas pipe into your kitchen. In the majority of cases, this is straightforward and won't impact your plumbing or electrical connections.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have a sleek and attractive finish, are easy to maintain and more efficient than gas. The heating element that is high-powered is located beneath the surface of every zone. These then transmit the heat through the glass to the pan that is above. This can reduce energy consumption since it only heats the pan directly and not the air surrounding it. They are also simple to control, and react quickly to temperature changes.
Ceramic hobs have a flat, ceramic surface that is easy to clean. Spills and splatters can be easily removed with a damp cloth once they cool. It's important to remember that they're not suitable for an extremely hot or steamy kitchen in hot or humid conditions, as the glass could break and discolor if it becomes too warm.
Some people might be a bit sceptical about the fact that ceramic hobs generate some heat under the surface, but this isn't a problem for most. The majority of models come with cooling fans to manage the heat under the surface and stop it from affecting kitchens and workspaces. They're also constructed with insulation and are designed to reduce heat transfer between the stove and your kitchen.
Another benefit of ceramic hobs is that they are compatible with all types of cookware, unlike induction hobs which require a specific magnetically conductive pan. Cast iron cookware should never be used on a stove made of ceramic because it may scratch the surface.
Many ceramic hobs are fitted with safety features like residual heat indicators and a lockout function to reduce the risk of accidents within the home. Some have even 'overflow safety', which can detect when a pot is boiling and will automatically reduce the power to the zone to minimise damage and mess. Like electric cookers generally it is crucial to ensure a ceramic hob uk is correctly installed and equipped with the correct cables and breakers for full security. It is best to leave this to a certified electrical engineer so that you can be sure that your ceramic cooker is safe and reliable.
Hobs with induction
Like their name implies induction hobs have coils under the surface that generate magnetic fields that produce heat within the pan or metal object placed on it. They consume less power than other kinds of electric hobs due to the fact that they remain cold until a pan is placed set on them, and they are more efficient at heating a pan as the heat generated comes from the bottom of the pan rather than the whole cooktop surface.
Induction models are similar to gas hobs because they feature an control panel where you can select your settings and track how much power is being used. They can only be used with cookware compatible with the electromagnetic heating mechanism. This means that it must be made of ferrous or cast iron. Certain stainless steel and non-stick pans also work. But, make sure to check the label to make sure that the cookware you use is compatible with induction.
A popular choice in shared student halls as well as penthouses of iQ Student Accommodation, induction hobs have sleek LCD displays and modern design that fit seamlessly into contemporary kitchens. They're more secure than gas hobs with traditional designs because they only start heating when the pan is placed on them. They shut off automatically after the pan is removed.
Induction hobs operate similar to the controls on an iPhone. A swipe gesture on the slider will set your preferred heat level. Alternatively, there are usually buttons to move up and down on the control panel that change the power level or a dial that is touched to control the temperature with precision.
In addition to nine power levels, certain models come with two flex zones, which allows you to join two zones together to create a larger cooking space for larger saucepans. Certain models feature an automatic switch-off and a residual heat indication. Other models also have a timer that can notify you when the food is ready. Induction hobs all emit low-level magnetic fields at frequencies within the kilohertz spectrum, which can affect some medical devices, like pacemakers, which is why it's crucial to keep them away from your body when they are not operating.