Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans by using electric or flames. There are a variety of hobs available, so you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have flat ceramic surfaces and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide an elegant and contemporary look that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They are fast to heat up and are energy efficient and can lower the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you have to cook something that requires a rapid reduction or increase of temperature.
Electric hobs use plates that are heated by electric elements underneath. They can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the level of power you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely 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 away from flammable items and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be a great option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a lot. As with all appliances, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's very sensitive to pan size and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it won't recognize it and won't begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs have a sleek and modern design. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster and the water in a full pot can often boil in less than four minutes. This type of stove is ideal for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat is produced. However, it should be noted that a glass hob is more susceptible 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 an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs for a stylish, sophisticated finish. It also has a 4kW wok ring to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is a stylish slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the hob has the double inner flame to improve even heat distribution, which in turn increases cooking time. It also comes with a handy power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including the high setting for searing steaks and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Its simple yet intuitive controls were also best hob uk well loved by our test subjects who found them to be very easy to use. Some minor disadvantages are that you must physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest heating level and it can be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is one of the best gas-on-glass hobs that are available at a low cost. While it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards, it does the job well and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a number of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They are not only sleek and stylish, but they are also safer, faster, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface resistant to smudges and scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost feature which lets you increase the heat of your cooker for a short period of time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric and gas plates. They are therefore more energy efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan, and can be costly to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that's a great choice for modern homes. It features a burner beneath a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is hot.
Although gas hobs are an option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take a while to heat up and cool down and their flame can be hard to control. However, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
There are electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, so you'll be able to fit your needs. It's important to note, however, that these hobs require installation by a registered 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 could cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a hob the coils generate magnetic fields that generate heat directly within the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy point of view, as there's no residual heat that is wasted.
There are many models of induction stoves, from the basic ones with a single zone marked by rings up to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones and allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously on one flex area. Certain models have a touch slider control that looks very similar to the way you operate an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar in the middle to choose the desired temperature, left to right increases heat and right to left reduces it. Some models 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 energy efficient over the long run. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller heating space which can reduce your energy costs. They also cool faster and have a more secure design with no hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with children or elderly people living in the house. However, they do produce an electric force that could affect certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or you can purchase a specialist cleaner to help keep your hob sparkling and in good order for a longer time. Be sure to not use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.