Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans with flame or electricity. There are many different kinds of hobs, so you can pick one that is best oven suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction Hobs oven come with flat ceramic surfaces and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern design. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient and can lower your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you need to cook something that requires quick reduction or an increase in temperature.
Electric hobs utilize a solid plate that is heated by electric elements under. The elements can be controlled individually with rotary knobs, and then tacked to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs also have extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. This can be a challenge if you have children, so it's best hobs uk to place them in an area that is well away from flammable objects and away from young children.
This kind of hob is able to be used on a variety of worktops, including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs, but without spending a lot of money. Like all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs will be safe to use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need to buy cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, the element will not recognize it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas-powered glass hobs have modern, sleek design. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and could require professional installation. However, they heat up faster as a full pot of water can often boil in less than four minutes. This kind of stove is also a good choice for cooks who want to control the amount of heat being produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners finished in matt black with metal control knobs to give it a chic, sophisticated appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob and oven that combines an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left side of the gas hob provides two burners inside to increase the distribution of heat and increase the speed of cooking. It also has a handy power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like high settings to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls, as they were simple and easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you must press the controls a further nine times to reach the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to discern the burners' actions.
A few of the top gas on glass hobs can be found at affordable prices like this Neff model. While it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen for just over PS120.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. Not only do they offer an elegant design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functionality that is safer, more efficient and energy-efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. These hobs have a sleek glazed finish, and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost feature that allows you to increase the temperature of your stove for a short amount of time.
Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work and can be expensive to set up.
A gas on glass hob is a second option that's a great option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it features an oven that is surrounded by a layer of flat glass. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A majority of these hobs come with a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.
Gas hobs remain a popular option for many home cooks, but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to warm up and cool down and their flame can be hard to manage. Electric hobs, on the other hand are more efficient in energy use and are easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, allowing you the flexibility needed to meet your needs. It is important to remember, however, that these hobs require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people who have pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils generate magnetic fields which direct heat the pan, rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are very efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't waste any heat.
There are many different models of an induction hob, from basic entry level ones with a single cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one flex zone. Certain models come with an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar in the middle to choose the desired heat level, left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are thought to be more efficient in the long run because they heat up quicker and have a smaller area to heat up which could help reduce your energy bills. They cool down faster and also are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families that have elderly or children. They do, however, generate magnetic forces that can interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your hob shiny and in good condition for longer. Make sure you don't use abrasive cleaners or pads to scour your induction hob as they can scratch the surface.