Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electricity or flames. There are several different types of hobs, so you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic cooking surface and have five or four zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer a sleek and modern look which can greatly enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned up in the event of spills or splatters. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can lower the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you have to cook something that requires quick reduction or an increase in the heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually through rotating knobs. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a certain zone. Ceramic hobs also have extremely high degree of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch after being shut off. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a location that is away from flammable items and out of reach of children.
This type of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also quite affordable and is a great alternative if you are looking to replace your old stoves without spending a large amount of money. However, just like any other appliance, they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element precisely or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, the element won't recognise it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven results in cooking and makes the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas have a sleek and modern design. They are more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However they are also more efficient in heating and an entire pot of water can typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of hob is also a good choice for cooks who like to control the amount of heat produced. However, it must be not forgotten that a glass hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel ones and will need to be cleaned more often, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to remain instead of sliding off.
This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners finished in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to give it a chic, sophisticated look. It also comes with the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and 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 and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob has a double inner flame to improve uniform heat distribution and accelerates cooking time. It also comes with a handy power indicator that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including the highest setting for searing a steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our testers also liked the controls, as they were simple and intuitive. A few minor drawbacks include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest temperature and it may be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best gas-on-glass hobs are available for an affordable price, such as this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design prizes but it'll perform the task and be a great addition to your kitchen at just above 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that work for modern households. They're not only sleek and stylish, but also faster, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They're made with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature which lets you increase the temperature of your stove for a short amount of time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. This means that they are more energy efficient and have precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan, and could be expensive to put in.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that is a good choice for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has an oven hob that is surrounded by an underlying layer of flat glass. However, this glass is heatproof and shatterproof, so it's much simpler to clean than standard tempered glass. Many of these hobs oven (talking to) come with an "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.
Gas hobs remain a preferred option for many home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes some time to heat up and cool off. In contrast, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern technology You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, meaning you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. It's important to note that these hobs need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils run an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils produce magnetic fields which directly heat the pan instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from an energy standpoint because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves, from the basic ones with a single zone marked by rings to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously on one flex area. Certain models have a touch slider control that is very similar to how you operate an iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more efficient in the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating area which can reduce your energy costs. They cool quicker, and they are more secure without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with children or elderly residents. However, they create magnetic fields that could affect medical devices like pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean because food and debris could build up over time. You can employ a standard oven hob cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your oven uk in good condition and shiny for longer. Just be sure to never use scrubbers or pads to scour your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.