Leave a Pot on the Hob
Nigella's recipe often recommends that you "leave a pan on the hob" but what does that actually mean? A stovetop, also known as a hob or cooktop in British English, can be either gas or electric.
Dual fuel cookers come with a gas hob and an electric oven, giving you the best of both worlds. They can provide instant heat but are more expensive to operate than single fuel models.
Hobs made of solid plate
Solid plate hobs have been an integral part of homes for a long time. Their basic design is made up of flat metal plates that heat with electricity, which makes them a cost-effective choice for those who are on a tight budget. However, their initial cost could cause higher electricity costs in the future because of their inefficient use of energy. These hobs also require a substantial amount of heat that is left over which means they take longer to heat up and cool down than their modern counterparts.
A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic that is more expensive to purchase but much cheaper to operate. Hobs made of ceramic come in different styles, including flat and curvy. They can be paired with ovens of various shapes and sizes to suit any kitchen layout. They are also easy to clean and blend seamlessly into modern homes.
Induction hobs are the next step since they utilize electromagnetic fields to heat cookware directly. The surface of the hob remains cool, which decreases the chance of burning. It is also safe for children to be around it. Induction hobs also get hot and cool off the fastest.
It is essential to consider your cooking habits as well as your energy needs when you decide on the kind of hob you'll need. Solid plate hobs are affordable to purchase, but they're not efficient as gas and ceramic hobs are more expensive, but more efficient. Induction hobs are a great compromise, as they combine effectiveness with a stylish appearance.
Gas hobs
The top gas hobs are simple to use, have a neat and attractive appearance and are made of sturdy materials. They should also have a good warranty and be easy to clean. They are also required to be compatible with a variety of cookware and offer instant heat control.
A gas hob works by connecting a gas supply to each burner, which then ignites the fuel to produce a flame. The flame is able to heat the pan and the air to allow for precise temperature control. Some models come with a visual flame indicator, which makes it easy to know when the burners are turned on or off at an instant. Other features on gas hobs include numerous burners in different sizes, an automatic ignition and a removable drip tray.
Modern gas hobs are available with stainless steel or ceramic top. Some have an elegant black finish. Depending on the style of your kitchen it is also an option to choose vented or open-burner gas hobs. Open-burner gas stoves do not have an extractor built in, which takes the smoke and steam from the cooking pans.
Open-burner hobs are classic in their design with metal grates and knobs while vented hobs look more modern with flat, glass surfaces. Some models have an extra-wide pan support which are ideal for large pans and pots.
Despite the widespread use of electric hobs like induction and ceramic, there is still a large customer base for gas hobs. Gas cooking is popular with people who are familiar with it. However, several government regulations are encouraging the removal of appliances powered by fossil fuels to energy-efficient alternatives.
Gas-powered hobs are all electrical components in order to function. Therefore, it is essential to install them by a certified electrician and carpenter who will make sure that the installation is secure and complies with industry standards. Your electrician will need to connect a power cable and gas lines into your kitchen when you are installing a gas hob for the first time. In most instances, this is a simple task and doesn't affect the plumbing or electrical connections.
Ceramic hobs
As well as an attractive, sleek finish ceramic hobs are easy to clean and more efficient in terms of energy consumption than gas. They work by utilizing high-powered heating elements underneath the surface of each zone. They then transfer the heat through the glass to the pan that is above. This reduces energy waste as it only uses the power needed to heat the pan directly and not the air surrounding it. They are also easy to regulate and can quickly react to temperature fluctuations.
The flat ceramic surface of a ceramic cooker is easy to wipe down spills and splatters can be wiped off with a clean cloth as they cool. It's worth remembering though that they're not suitable for a hot or steamy kitchen environment as the glass can crack and discolour when it gets too hot.
Most people aren't bothered by the fact that ceramic hobs create some amount of heat below the surface. In fact, most models come with integrated cooling fans click here to control this heat and prevent it from damaging your kitchen or workspace. They're also made of acoustic insulation to limit heat transfer between the stove and your kitchen.
Another advantage of ceramic hobs is that they are compatible with all kinds of cookware, in contrast to induction hobs which require a certain type of magnetically conductive pan. However, it's best to avoid using any cookware made from cast iron on a ceramic hob because it could scratch the surface.
A lot of ceramic hobs are fitted with a range of safety features, including residual heat indicators as well as lockout functions to help minimise accidents in the kitchen. Certain ceramic hobs come with an overflow prevention feature that detects when a pan is boiling over and automatically reduces power to the area it is located to minimize the damage. It's equally important to ensure that a ceramic stove has been installed correctly and is equipped with the correct breakers and cables. It's best to delegate this to a qualified electrical engineer so that you can be certain that your ceramic hob is safe and reliable.
Induction hobs
Like their name suggests they feature coils underneath the surface that produce magnetic fields that generate heat within the pan or in any metal objects placed on it. They consume less energy than other types of hobs, because they are cold until you have a pan on them. They also heat up more efficiently because heat is generated by the bottom of a pan, not from the entire cooktop's surface.
Induction models are like gas hobs in that they come with a control panel on which you can choose your settings and monitor the amount of power being used. However unlike traditional gas hobs, they only work using cookware that's compatible with their electromagnetic heating mechanism, which means it must have a flat, even thick base made of ferrous metal (iron) or cast iron. Certain stainless steel and non-stick pans can also be used. However, always check the label to confirm that the cookware you use is compatible with induction.
Induction hobs are a popular choice for shared student halls or iQ Student accommodation penthouses. They have sleek LCD displays, and their contemporary designs blend seamlessly into modern kitchens. Induction hobs are safer than gas stoves that are traditional because they only heat when a pan is placed over them, and they shut off automatically once the pan is removed.
Induction hobs operate like an iPhone. A swipe on the slider will set your preferred temperature level. There are also usually up and down arrows on the control panel that allow you to adjust the power level, or use a dial for precise temperature control.
Along with nine power levels, some models come with two flex zones, which allows you to join two zones to create a larger cooking space for larger pots. Others feature automatic shut-off and residual heat indicators, and a timer that will inform you when food is ready. Induction hobs emit an extremely low-level magnetic field with frequencies in the kilohertz range that can affect certain medical equipment such as pacemakers, and it is important to keep them from your body when not in use.