Leave a Pot on the Hob
The recipes of Nigella often advise you to 'leave an oven on' but what does this mean? A hob is the British word for cooktop or stove top and could be gas or electric.
Dual fuel cookers come with gas hobs and an electric oven and hob that gives you the best of both worlds. They are quick to heat, however they can be more costly to operate than single fuel models.
Solid plate hobs
Solid plate hobs are a staple in many homes. They are a simple choice for those looking to save money. Their design is flat metal plates which heat up by using electricity. However, their low initial cost could result in higher electricity costs over time because of their inefficient energy use. These stoves require a great deal of residual heat and take longer to cool down or heat down.
A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic hob, which is more expensive to purchase but much cheaper to run. Hobs made of ceramic come in different styles, including curvy and flat. They can be used with ovens and hobs of various shapes and sizes to suit any kitchen layout. Furthermore, they're easy to clean and blend well into the majority of modern homes.
Induction hobs are the next step, because they utilize electromagnetic fields to heat cookware directly. This means that the surface stays cool, reducing the chance of burns that happen accidentally and making it safer for small children to touch. Induction hobs also are able to heat up and cool down the fastest.
It is important to take into account your cooking habits as well as your energy requirements when deciding on the kind of stove you'll need. Solid plate hobs are inexpensive to purchase, but they're not efficient and inefficient, whereas gas and ceramic hobs are more expensive, but more efficient. Induction hobs can be a good compromise, as they combine effectiveness with a stylish appearance.
Gas hobs
The top gas hobs are easy to use, have a neat and attractive appearance and are made of durable materials. They should have a good guarantee and be easy-to-clean. In addition, they should be compatible with a broad range of cookware and offer instant heat control.
A gas hob functions by connecting the gas supply to each burner, which burns the fuel to create the flame. The flame heats the pan and the air to enable precise temperature control. Some models have a visual flame indicator, making it easy to know when the burners are on or off. Gas hobs also have multiple burners of different sizes, automatic ignition, and a drip pan that can be removed.
Modern gas hobs are available with either a stainless steel or ceramic top. Some have an elegant black finish. There are vented and open-burner hobs depending on the design of your kitchen. Open-burner gas stoves do not include an extractor that takes the steam and smoke from the cooking pans.
Open-burner stoves have traditional appearance with metal knobs, grates and handles, whereas vented stoves are sleeker with a flat glass surface. Some models come with extra-wide pan support that are ideal for large pots and pans.
Gas hobs are still in high demand despite the increasing popularity of electric hobs, such as induction and ceramic. This is due in part to consumer preferences and the familiarity with gas cooking. However, several government regulations are encouraging the elimination of appliances that use fossil fuels to energy-efficient alternatives.
Gas-powered hobs all require electrical components to function. It is therefore essential to install them by a certified electrician and carpenter who will make sure that the installation is secure and meets the industry standards. If you are installing a gas stove the electrician you choose to work with will need to connect an electrical power cable and a gas pipe into your kitchen. In the majority of instances, this is simple and doesn't affect the plumbing or electrical connections.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs are stylish and attractive look They are easy to clean and are more efficient than gas. They work with high-powered heating elements beneath the surface of each zone. They then transfer the heat through the glass to the pan over. This can reduce energy consumption since it only directly heats the pan and not the air surrounding it. They're also simple to control and respond quickly to temperature fluctuations.
Ceramic hobs have a flat, ceramic surface that is easy to clean. Spills and splatters can be easily removed using a damp sponge when they cool. Be aware that they're not suitable for a humid or hot kitchen as the glass will break and turn discolored.
Many people don't care about the fact that ceramic hobs create some amount of heat below the surface. In fact, the majority of models are designed with cooling fans integrated to help regulate this heat and prevent it from damaging your kitchen or workspace. They're also made of acoustic insulation to limit heat transfer between the hob and your kitchen.
Another advantage of ceramic hobs is that they can be used with all types of cookware, compared to induction hobs that require a specific type of magnetically conductive pan. However, it is recommended to avoid using any cookware made of cast iron on a ceramic hob because it could scratch the surface.
Many ceramic hobs come fitted with a range of safety features, including residual heat indicators, as well as lockout functions to help minimise accidents in the kitchen. Some have even 'overflow safety which detects the moment a pot is boiling and then automatically cut the power supply to the zone to reduce the risk of the damage and mess. Similar to electric cookers, it's important to ensure a ceramic hob is correctly installed and configured with the appropriate breakers and cables for complete safety. It's best to delegate this to a trained electrical engineer, so that you can be certain that your ceramic hob and oven is safe and reliable.
Hobs with induction
Induction hobs, like their name implies, have coils underneath the surface that produce magnetic fields. These fields produce heat inside the pan or metal item placed on the hob. They use less energy than other kinds of hobs, because they are cold until you are surrounded by a pan. They also heat more efficiently since the heat source is by the bottom of a pan, not from the entire surface of the cooktop.
Like gas hobs, models with induction have a control panel where you can choose your settings and see how much power you're using. However unlike traditional gas hobs they can only be used with cookware that is compatible with their electromagnetic heating mechanism, which means it must have a flat, even thick base made of ferrous metal (iron) or cast iron. Some non-stick and stainless steel pans will also work. However, you must always read the label to make sure that the cookware you use is compatible with induction.
Induction hobs are a favorite option for shared student halls or penthouses in iQ Student accommodation. They come with sleek LCD displays, and their modern aesthetics fit seamlessly into contemporary kitchens. Induction hobs are safer than gas stoves with traditional designs because they only heat when they are placed over them. They shut off automatically after the pan is removed.
Induction hobs can operate in the same manner as an iPhone, with a swipe gesture on the touch slider setting the desired temperature. Alternatively, there are usually up and down buttons on the control panel to change the power level or a dial that can be tapped for precise temperature control.
Some models come with dual flex-zones that allows you to join two zones to create a larger space to cook larger saucepans. Others have automatic switch-off, residual heat indicators, and a timer to alert you when your food is ready. All induction hobs emit low-level magnetic fields that are emitted in kilohertz, which can cause damage to medical equipment such as pacemakers.