Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric power or flames. There are a variety of hobs, so you can pick one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and have five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern and sleek look. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to reduce your energy bills. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to change temperature settings and can be a hassle when cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. These elements can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This could be a problem if you have children, so it's advisable to only install them in a location that is well away from flammable objects and not within reach of young children.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be put in on a variety of worktops, such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable
ovens and hobs can be a great option for those looking to replace your previous hobs 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 your new hobs are safe to use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that is exactly the same as the element or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it will not recognize it and will not begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs are sleek and contemporary in appearance. While they can 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 come to a boil within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a good choice for cooks who prefer to regulate the amount of heat being generated. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and will need to be cleaned more frequently, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stick instead of sliding off.
One of the best examples of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. The wok ring is 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 rings that are located on the left of the hob offers the double inner flame to ensure uniform heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also features a handy power level indicator, which assists in regulating the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including a high setting to 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 issues are that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest temperature and it may be difficult to discern the state of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best gas-on-glass hobs are available for an affordable price like this Neff model. While it's not going to be a winner of any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen at just 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern households. Not only do they have an elegant design that fits into the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges and scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost function which lets you increase the temperature of your stove for a short amount of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. This means they are more energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan, and can be costly to install.
Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it has a burner beneath a layer of flat glass. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these
hobs Oven (
208.167.242.150) also have a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the hob is hot.
Gas hobs are a popular choice for a lot of home cooks, but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to heat up and cool down and their flame can be difficult to manage. Electric hobs, on the other side, are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that can be used 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 an appropriate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction
hobs ukCopper coils create an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a stove, the coils produce magnetic fields that generate heat directly within the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy perspective since there's no heat that is wasted.
There are many models of induction stoves, from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone labelled by rings to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked on one flex area. Some of these models have a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models have pre-programmed 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. However, they are more efficient in the long run. They can heat faster and have a smaller area for heating which can reduce the cost of energy. They also cool quicker and feature a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or elderly people living in the home. However, they do produce a magnetic field which could affect medical devices such as pacemakers so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you will have to clean your induction hob frequently, since food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to keep your stove clean and in good shape for longer. Make sure you don't use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads for scouring on your induction cooker as they can scratch the surface.