Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with flames or electricity. There are several different types of hobs available, so you can choose one that is best hob uk suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs are equipped with flat ceramic surfaces and four or five zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer an elegant and contemporary look that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing temperature settings. This can be a problem when you have to cook something that requires a rapid decrease or an increase in the heat.
Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The elements can be controlled individually with rotary knobs, and then tacked to the power level you require. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature in order to increase the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch even after being shut off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a place that is safe from items that could ignite and out of reach of children.
This type of hob can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as 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. However, like all appliances they must be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognise it ovens and hobs won't heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for modern, sleek design. While they can be more expensive than electric models and may require professional installation, they usually take less time to heat up. It's not unusual for a full pan of water to be boiling in four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a great choice for cooks who prefer to regulate the amount of heat being produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to build up grease and other residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs to create a sleek, elegant appearance. It also comes with a 4kW wok ring for added versatility, plus pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left of the hob offers a double inner flame to improve uniform heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also has an excellent power level indicator that assists in regulating the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like high settings to sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our testers also liked the controls as they were easy to use and intuitive. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you have to press the controls nine times before reaching the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is among the best ovens and hobs uk gas-on-glass hobs that you can buy at a reasonable price. It's not likely to win any design awards but it'll perform the task and be an excellent addition to your kitchen at just more than 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. Not only do they offer an elegant design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer modern technology that is safer, more efficient and efficient in energy use than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. These hobs Oven have an elegant glazed finish and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost function that allows you to increase the heat of your hob for a short amount of time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan, and could be expensive to put in.
Gas on glass hobs are a different option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it features the burner underneath an underlying layer of flat glass. However it's heatproof and shatterproof, so it's easier to clean than glass that's tempered. A majority of these hobs come with a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts 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 take a long time to warm up and cool down. Electric hobs on the other hand are more efficient in energy use and easy to clean.
You can even find electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, allowing you the flexibility needed to fit your lifestyle. However, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
On the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that generate an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a stove, the coils create magnetic fields that create heat directly within the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from a energy standpoint because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves starting with the basic models with a single zone marked by rings up to more sophisticated 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 feature 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 even have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types 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 are more efficient in heating and have a smaller heating space which could reduce your energy bills. They cool faster, and they have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families that have elderly or children. However, they do create a magnetic force that could interfere with certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your electric oven hob clean, because food and debris could build up over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or you can purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your stove shiny and in good condition for longer. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or scratching pads on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.