Types of Oven Hob
A hob is a flat cooking surface that sits above your oven to heat your pans and pots. There are different types of hobs available, including gas, electric, and induction.
Look for features like buttons that rotate, touch or position controls. These controls allow you to control heating zones by pressing one button. They also prevent them from being smashed easily, especially when they are used by children.
Ceramic Hobs
Ceramic hobs are a fantastic option for modern kitchens that are combining style and functionality. The glossy surface can be damaged by food residues and scratches. To keep your cooktop looking good and working efficiently it is essential to maintain a regular cleaning routine. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or scrubbing pads.
The hobs of this style are heated by passing an electrical current through coiled metal components which are hidden beneath the glass surface. They generate heat when they are activated by control knobs. Certain models feature an element that radiates that emits heat through the glass surface. Other models use halogen elements which are more powerful and heat the entire surface area in successive pulses, making them particularly ideal for chef cooking in short time.
A lot of our ceramic hobs have advanced safety features, such as residual heat indicators which alert you when the surface is hot to the touch to prevent burns. Some also come with child locks to stop children from accidentally altering the settings.
To ensure optimal performance, it's important to use appropriate cookware with your ceramic hob. It is important that your pans have flat bottoms, because this ensures even heating and helps avoid hot spots that can cause food to be overcooked or undercooked. It is also important to avoid drag pans across the kitchen surface as this could scratch the tempered glass.
To allow for greater flexibility in cooking, we recommend our ceramic hobs that have dual ring designs or an 'I-Flex' zone that can be used to accommodate two single pots or one large pan (you'll require a minimum 30cm sized pan in order for it to register). We also have models with a booster heater for rapid heating in specific zones or pans. This is great for stir-fry or searing steak. Certain models come with an automatic shut-off function that turns off the hob at a predetermined time to prevent it from overheating. This is a wonderful safety feature that will give you peace of mind. This function is activated by pressing "Power' on the control panel when the appliance has reached its maximum temperature.
Gas Hobs
A gas hob, often referred to as a gas stove or gas cooker is an appliance for kitchen use that makes use of the flammable natural or the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as its source of fuel. The flame is used to heat both the cookware and the surrounding air. This allows for fast cooking and precise temperature control. Gas hobs are designed to be elevated, which provides extra security by preventing your body from being in contact with the flame. This reduces the chance of burning. This elevated construction does require extra care when cleaning or operating the hob in order to avoid spilling liquids onto the burners.
The burners of a traditional gas hob are controlled by hand and lit using a a match. The latest models have an automatic igniter that makes sure the gas is lit automatically. The flame can be controlled using the control knobs. This makes it simple to adjust the level of heat. Based on the model, certain gas hobs also come with multi-flame burners to give you more cooking flexibility.
One of the major drawbacks to a gas hob is that it requires a continuous supply of gas which can be a problem if you reside in an area with intermittent or unstable supply. In addition, gas hobs require regular maintenance to avoid the risk of leaks and corrosion. Because of this, it is essential to install a gas stove only after consulting with a Gas Safe Registered fitter who can offer professional installation and adhere to strict safety protocols.
While induction and electric hobs oven are getting more popular, there is still a significant market for gas appliances in certain regions. This is due to consumer preference and environmental concerns, in addition to local prices for energy and availability. This is why it is crucial to evaluate the utility costs of your kitchen's infrastructure before choosing a model of hob.
Hobs induction
Induction hobs are popular with our customers who want an elegant, sleek kitchen. They make use of magnetism to heat the pans rather than an oven or a plate that is heated or burning gas underneath. Copper coils are situated under the glass ceramic surface. An electric current that is alternating is pushed through them. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on the top of the cooker, the coils sense the magnetic base and induce heat directly into the cooker or pan itself. This is faster than traditional gas stoves and is more efficient in terms of energy use. The glass-ceramic surface is cool to the touch and is also easy to clean.
Like other modern hobs, the induction ones are also designed to be easier to clean than their gas counterparts. To keep your induction hob as clean as new, all you need is a dampened cloth.
The main limitation with cooking induction is that you'll need have the right cookware. All pans, including cast iron stainless steel, non-stick ones, need an iron base that is magnetized. If you're not sure whether your existing cookware is induction-compatible, a quick test is to place a magnet on the bottom of the pan. If it sticks firmly, then your pan is induction-compatible.
There is a wide selection of induction hobs available, from budget models up to premium brands that have TFT displays with a full menu of operation. When a pan is placed in a power zone the hob will show you its position on a full-color display, and also have an adjustment button or slider which allows you to change the power setting or set an alarm. There are also clever accessories that are available, like pan sensors that stick to the sides of your cookware, and communicate with the hob using bluetooth to regulate the power in a precise manner.
Induction hobs that have a built-in fan reduce steam, smoke and cooking smells. This model is perfect for homes with limited space since it eliminates the need for an additional extractor fan. Like other induction hobs and ovens, it uses magnetic fields at frequencies within the kilohertz spectrum to create the heat that indirectly affects your pan and its contents. In normal operation, the magnetic fields are within the range of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection's standard value for the magnetic density at the relevant frequency. No health effects should be expected.
Electric Hobs
The top electric hobs have a a sleek finish and are designed to complement all kitchen styles. They are a great choice for those who prefer the ease of using touchscreen controls instead of dials. They also come with a variety of options to suit your cooking requirements. The majority are made of glass, which is easy to clean and can also appear stylish if you go for a black or white design. Some models have bridge functions that allow you to connect two zones to make room for larger pans. While others come with a power boost button for an extra amount of heat when you're doing something difficult.
Induction hobs are increasing in popularity due to their modern and clean design that fits well with today's kitchen designs. They cook fast and offer a high degree of safety. For instance they cool down faster than gas cookers. They also have a 'hot' indicator light that stays on to warn you when the cooking zone is hot to the touch. They also tend to be more efficient since the magnetic field only produces heat under the pan itself so you're not heating the air around it.
There are a few aspects to consider when choosing an electric hob. The majority of them require an electric power source that is configured with the correct cables ovens and hobs uk breakers. We recommend installing it by a certified electrician. Induction hobs can be expensive, and you will need to buy a set of compatible induction pans to get the most benefit from them. They may also be more expensive to run since they typically consume more energy than other best hobs uk.
Why not take a look at our wide selection of kitchen appliances if you're thinking of a new kitchen, or replacing your old hob? We can assist you in choosing the perfect oven hob to suit your style and cooking preferences. Our experts are always on hand to talk through your options and answer any questions you may have. We offer an all-encompassing delivery service and can even set up your new appliance for you should you wish us to.