Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove tops in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electricity or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can choose the one that best hob fits your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs are equipped with flat ceramic surfaces and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and stylish, and easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have modern and sleek design which can greatly 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 cleaned. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a problem when you are cooking something that requires quick reduction or increase of temperature.
Electric hobs are comprised of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the level of power you require. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, and even after they've been shut off, they will still be hot to the touch. This can be a problem if you have children, so it's recommended to install them in an area that is well away from any flammable items and out of reach of little ones.
This type of hob can be installed on a variety worktops such as laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be a great alternative if you are looking to replace your stove without spending a lot. But, as with all appliances, they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need cookware that's either the exact same dimensions as the element or that will fit comfortably inside each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware doesn't fit, then the element will not recognize it ovens and hobs won't begin to heat up the base of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and will make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for modern, sleek design. They are more expensive than electric models, and require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating - a full pot of water can typically boil in less than four minutes. This type of stove is a great choice for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat is generated. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they tend to accumulate grease and sludge.
A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs to create an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring is 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines an attractive slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the gas hob provides an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and accelerate cooking. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator Best Place To Buy Oven And Hob that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine preset settings, such as the highest setting for sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.
Its simple yet easy-to-use controls were also appreciated by our testers, who found them to be very simple to use. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest temperature and it can be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that are available at a low cost. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen for just over 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. They are not only elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost function that allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a short amount of time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob perfect for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a special kind of pan and can be costly to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that is a good option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has the burner underneath the glass is a flat layer. However it's heatproof and shatterproof, so it's much easier to clean than standard glass that's tempered. A lot of these hobs have the "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the temperature.
Although gas hobs are an option that is popular with home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take some time to heat up and cool off. Electric hobs on the other side, are more efficient in energy and easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern technology, you can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, so you'll be able to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to note that these hobs require installation by an approved gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, instead of heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. This makes induction hobs very efficient from a energy perspective because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a myriad of models of an induction hob, from basic entry level ones that have only one cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones, allowing the cooking of multiple pots at once on a flexible zone. Some of these premium models come with a touch-slider control that is very similar to how you operate an iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are believed to be more energy efficient in the long run because they heat up quicker and have a smaller surface to heat up which could help you save on energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them perfect for ovens families with children or older people who live in the house. However, they do create a magnetic force that could interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll have to clean your electric hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use an oven with hob cleaner, or you can purchase a specialist cleaner to help keep your hob shiny and in good condition for a longer time. Make sure you don't use scrubbers or scouring pads on your induction cooker as they can scratch the surface.