Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electricity or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can pick the one that best suits your kitchen and your style.
Induction hobs come with flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and include four or five zones for heating your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide modern and sleek design that can really enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and are able to be cleaned up if spills or splatters occur. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can lower your electric bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing the temperature which can be a problem if you're cooking something that requires immediate reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. These elements can be controlled individually by rotary knobs and nipped up to the level of power you require. You can even use the 'boost' feature in order to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. It's important to install ceramic hobs in an area that is away from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob can be used on a variety of worktops including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be a great alternative if you are looking to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. Like all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. It is necessary to purchase cookware that is either exactly the same size as the element, or that will fit comfortably inside each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, it won't recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in appearance. They are more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster as the water in a full pot can often boil in less than 4 minutes. This kind of hob is ideal for cooks who want to control how much heat is generated. However, it must be not forgotten that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and may require cleaning more frequently, as 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 that are matte black with metal control knobs for a stylish, sophisticated appearance. It also has a 4kW wok ring to increase versatility, and dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easy to clean.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left of the hob has an inner flame that doubles to ensure uniform heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also features an excellent power level indicator, which allows you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, such as high settings to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
Its simple yet easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them to be very easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you must press the controls nine times before reaching the maximum heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to see what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is one of the top gas-on glass hobs that are available at a low cost. It's not likely to win any design awards however it's going to do the job and can be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just above 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, they are also faster, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. They're constructed with a sleek polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges or scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster feature that allows you to increase your heat for a short time.
best ovens and hobs are a different electric hob that is ideal 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 provide precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan, and could be expensive to put in.
Gas on glass hobs are another great option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath an unidirectional glass layer like a traditional gas stove. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempering glass. A lot of these hobs come with a "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the heat.
hobs uk remain a preferred choice for a lot of home cooks, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes some time to warm up and cool down. In contrast, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern technology, you can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, providing you with the flexibility needed to meet your needs. However, it's important to note that these hobs need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Under the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils which run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils produce magnetic fields which direct heat the pan, instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are very efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't squander heat.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone labelled by rings, to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves with up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked on one flex area. Some of these models have a touch slider control that is very similar to the way you operate an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar located in the middle to select the desired level of heat left to right boosts heat and right to left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings for specific food items or recipes which can help you save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are thought to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and use a smaller space for heating up which can help lower your energy costs. They cool quicker and also are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families with children or elderly residents. They do, however, generate a magnetic force that could affect certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your electric hob on a regular basis, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaner or invest in a professional one to keep your oven in good shape and shiny for longer. You should never use any abrasive cleaning product or scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.