Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with electric or flames. There are a variety of best hobs uk, and you can pick one that is best hob uk suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern and sleek look. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can quickly be cleaned when spills or splatters happen. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing the temperature settings. This can be a problem when you need to cook something that requires a rapid reduction or increase of the heat.
Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The elements can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular zone. Ceramic hobs also have a very high rate of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch after being shut off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in an area that is safe from flammable items and out of reach of children.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be set up on a variety worktops such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It's also fairly affordable and is an excellent option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs, but without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they do need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.
The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, it will not recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern appearance. While they be more expensive than electric models and may require professional installation, they typically take less time to heat up. It's not unusual for a full pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a great choice for cooks who like to regulate the amount of heat being generated. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and will need to be cleaned more frequently, as the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of slipping off.
This Bertazzoni best hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners finished in matt black with metal control knobs for a stylish, 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 that combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left side of the gas hob has a double inner burner to increase the distribution of heat and accelerate cooking. It also has an easy-to-read power indicator that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine preset settings, including the highest setting for searing steaks and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were also well liked by our testers who found them be extremely easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you must press the controls nine more times to reach the highest temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern the burners' actions.
Some of the best ovens gas on glass hobs are available for an affordable price like this Neff model. It's not going to win any design prizes however it's going to perform the task and be a great addition to your kitchen for just over PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, they are they are also more efficient, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster feature that lets you increase the heat for a brief duration.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. They are therefore more energy efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. However they require a certain kind of pan to function and are costly to install.
A gas on glass hob is a different option that's an excellent choice for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it has the burner underneath an underlying layer of flat glass. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs also include a 'hot-surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is hot.
While gas hobs are still a popular option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take some time to heat up and cool off. In contrast electric hobs are efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
To achieve the highest level of modern technology You can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you can adjust your cooking to suit your lifestyle. It is important to remember that these hobs require installation by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Under the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields which heat the pan directly rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't use any heat.
There are a myriad of models of an induction hob, from basic entry level ones that have only one cooking zone that is marked with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction Hobs oven that can have up to six zones, allowing you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Some of these premium models come with a touch slider control that looks very similar to the way you use on an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar at the middle to select the desired temperature, left to right increases heat and right-to-left decreases it. Some models have preset settings for certain food types or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are considered to be more efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and have a smaller area for heating up which can help reduce your energy bills. They cool quicker and are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them ideal for families with children or elderly people. However, they create a magnetic field which could cause interference with medical devices like pacemakers so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you will have to clean your electric hob frequently, since food and debris can accumulate over time. You can either make use of a basic oven hob cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your hob in good condition and shining for a longer time. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaning products or a scouring pad on your stove since they could scratch the surface.