Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs available, so you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and stylish, and easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic best hobs can give your kitchen a modern and sleek look. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned up when spills or splatters happen. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you have to cook something that requires quick reduction or an increase in the heat.
Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. They can be individually controlled by rotary knobs and nipped up to the power level you require. You can even utilize the boost feature to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, and even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in an area that is far from items that could ignite and out of reach of children.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety worktops such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be an excellent option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a lot of money. As with all appliances, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's very sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in 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 heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven results in cooking and makes the hob less energy efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer a sleek, modern aesthetic. They can be more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster and a full pot of water can typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of hob is also a good choice for cooks who prefer to regulate 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 may need to be cleaned more often, since grease and residue build up tends to stick rather than slide off.
This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal for a stylish, sophisticated finish. The wok ring is 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines a stylish slab of toughened glass best ovens and hobs advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the gas hob provides two burners inside to improve the distribution of heat and increase the speed of cooking. It also features an easy-to-read power level indicator that allows you to control the exact temperature of your flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, such as high settings to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
Our test participants also liked the controls because they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor issues are that you need to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest heating level and it can be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas on glass hobs are available for an affordable price, such as this Neff model. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well best ovens and hobs is an excellent addition to your kitchen for less than 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster feature which allows you to boost your heat for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a particular kind of pan and could be expensive to put in.
A gas on glass hob is another option that is a good choice for modern homes. It features a burner beneath an unidirectional glass layer like a traditional gas stove. However, this glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much simpler to clean than standard glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs come with a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.
While gas hobs are still an option that is popular with home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and take a long time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs on the other hand, are more efficient in energy and easier to clean.
You can even find electric stoves that work with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, providing you with the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. It's important to note that these hobs need to be installed by an accredited gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm for your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Under the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that generate an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob, the coils produce magnetic fields that generate heat directly within the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are very efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't waste any heat.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves, from the basic ones with a single zone labelled by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked on one flex area. Some of these premium models come with an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs oven (look here). However they are also more energy efficient in the long run. They can heat faster and have a smaller heating area which could reduce your energy costs. They cool down faster and are more secure without hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families that have children or elderly residents. However, they do produce magnetic fields that can cause interference with medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you will need to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or you can invest in a specialist product to keep your stove clean and in good shape for longer. Be sure to not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on your induction cooker as they can scratch the surface.