Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans using electric power or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can choose the one that is best suited to your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs come with flat ceramic surfaces and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide an elegant and contemporary look which can greatly improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned when spills or splatters happen. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient and can lower the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you have to cook something that requires quick decrease or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs are comprised of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. These elements can be controlled separately using rotary knobs and notched up to the power level you require. You can even use the 'boost' feature in order to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even when they've been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. This could be a problem when you have children, so it's advisable to only install them in a location that is well away from objects that are flammable and away from young children.
This kind of hob can be used on a variety of worktops such as laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is a great alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, so we recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.
The downside to this kind of hob is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You'll need to buy cookware that's the exact same dimensions as the element or that is able to fit in each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware is not the same dimensions 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 cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer modern, sleek design. While they cost more than electric ones and require professional installation, they often require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to boil in four minutes or less. This kind of hob is a great choice for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is generated. However, it must be not forgotten that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and will require cleaning more frequently, as the build-up of grease and residue tends to stick instead of sliding off.
One of the best examples of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs to create a stylish and sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left side of the hob offers the double inner flame to ensure uniform heat distribution and increases cooking time. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that lets you control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including the highest setting for sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls, as they were simple and easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you must press the controls nine more times to reach the highest heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
Some of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available at an affordable price, such as this Neff model. While it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen at just PS120.
Electric hobs
There are a number of electric hobs that work for modern homes. They not only offer an elegant design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functions that are safer, more efficient and efficient in energy use than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They're constructed with a sleek glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also typically equipped with a power boost function which lets you increase the temperature of your stove for a brief period of time.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob perfect for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan, and could be expensive to put in.
A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that is a good option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it comes with the burner underneath the glass ovens and hobs uk is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs have an "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the temperature.
Gas hobs remain a preferred choice for a lot of home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes a long time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs, on the other side, are more efficient in energy and are easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. It's important to note that these stoves will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for people with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils create an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that generate heat directly within the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from an energy standpoint since there's no heat being wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction hobs that range from basic models that have a single cooking zone that is marked with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones, allowing the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously in one Flex zone. Some of these premium models come with a touch-slider control that is very similar to the way you operate on an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar in the middle to select the desired heat level, left to right increases the heat and right-to-left decreases it. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for certain recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are considered to be more efficient over the long term because they heat up faster and use a smaller space for heating up which can help you save on energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a safer design without hot plates, making them perfect for families with young children or elderly persons who live in the house. They do, however, produce a magnetic force that could affect certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean regularly as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can make use of a basic oven cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your hob in good condition and shining for longer. Just be sure to never use abrasive cleaners or pads to scour your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.