Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electricity or flames. There are several different types of hobs available, so you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and come with five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and stylish, and easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, oven sleek design. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned when spills or splatters happen. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient and can lower your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be a problem when you need to cook something that requires quick decrease or an increase in temperature.
Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. The power of each element can be adjusted individually by rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even when they have been turned off, they'll be hot to the touch. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a location that is safe from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be put in on a variety worktops such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It's also reasonably priced and is a great option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs, but without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. It is necessary to purchase cookware that is either exactly the same size as the element, or that is able to fit in each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, it will not recognize it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern look. They are more expensive than electric hobs, and require professional installation. However, they heat up faster and a full pot of water can typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of hob is also a great option for cooks who prefer to control the amount of heat being produced. However, it should be noted that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel ones and will likely require cleaning more often, as the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of sliding off.
This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant finish. It also has a 4kW wok ring for additional versatility, as well as dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easy to clean.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the gas hob features an inner burner that doubles to improve heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also features an easy-to-read power level indicator, which assists in regulating the precise temperature of your flame. You can select from nine pre-set settings, like a high setting to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
Our test participants also liked the controls because they were simple and intuitive. A few minor issues are that you have to press the controls nine times to reach the maximum heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
This Neff model is one of the best ovens uk gas-on-glass hobs that you can buy at a reasonable price. It's not going to win any design awards, but it will serve its purpose and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.
Electric Hobs Oven
There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They're not just elegant and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They're designed with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also usually fitted with a power boost function which lets you increase the heat of your hob for a short amount of time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and can be costly to install.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a great alternative for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has the burner underneath the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempered glass. A lot of these hobs have a "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.
While gas hobs are still a popular option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to heat up and cool down and their flame can be difficult to control. On the other hand electric hobs are efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
To achieve the highest level of modern efficiency, you can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, providing you with the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. It's important to remember that these hobs need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're not suitable for those with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Beneath the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils produce magnetic fields which direct heat the pan, instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are very efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't squander heat.
There are many different models of induction hob that range from basic ones with a single cooking zone with rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs that can have up to six zones, allowing you to cook multiple pots simultaneously in one flex zone. Some of these models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar at the middle to select the desired temperature left to right increases the heat and right-to-left decreases it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are thought to be more efficient in the long run since they heat up quicker and have a smaller surface to heat up, which can help reduce your energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design with no hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or older people who live in the house. They do, however, create an electric force that could interfere with certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your induction hob regularly, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use an oven uk cleaner, or you can invest in a specialist product to keep your hob clean and in good shape for longer. It is not recommended to use the abrasive cleaning products or the a scouring pad on your stove as they may scratch the surface.