Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove tops in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans using electricity or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can choose the one that is best suited to your kitchen and design.
Induction hobs feature flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and have four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can quickly be cleaned up when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to lower your electric bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow in changing temperature settings and can be a hassle if you're cooking something that requires immediate reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be controlled separately by rotary knobs and nipped up to the power level you require. You can even utilize the boost feature to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch after being shut off. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a place that is safe from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety of worktops such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be a great option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, and we recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.
The downside to this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element will not recognise it and will not begin to heat up the base of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern appearance. While they can cost more than electric models and may require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up. It's not unusual for a full pan of water to come to a boil within four minutes or less. This type of stove is ideal for cooks who need to control how much heat is produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require frequent cleaning as they are more likely to accumulate grease and sludge.
One of the best examples of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated look. It also includes a 4kW wok ring for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left of the gas hob provides a double inner burner to improve the distribution of heat and accelerate cooking. It also features a handy power indicator that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing a steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were loved by our test subjects, who found them to be very easy to use. Some minor disadvantages are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest temperature, and that it can be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that are available at a low cost. It's not going to win any design awards however it's going to perform the task and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a number of electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. They not only offer an elegant design that blends in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functions that are safer, faster and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They're made with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also usually fitted with a power boost function which lets you increase the temperature of your stove for a brief period of time.
Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs cook your food directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric and gas plates. This means they are more energy efficient and have precise temperature control. However they require a certain type of pan to function and are costly to set up.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a great alternative for modern homes. It features a burner beneath the glass, which is flat, like a traditional gas stove. However it's shatterproof and heatproof, so it's easier to clean than the typical glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs come with a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is heated.
Gas hobs are a popular choice for a lot of home cooks, but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to warm up and cool down and their flame can be hard to manage. Electric hobs, on the other hand, are more efficient in energy and are easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can also find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, providing you with the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. However, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Under the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that generate an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a stove, the coils create magnetic fields that generate heat directly in the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are energy efficient, as they don't use any heat.
There are a myriad of models of an induction hob that range from basic ones that have one cooking zone that is with rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots at once on a Flex zone. Some of these premium models come with a touch-slider control that resembles to the way you operate on an iPhone. hob uk can choose the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are believed to be more energy efficient over the long term as they heat up much quicker and use a smaller space to heat up which could help lower your energy costs. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design with no hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or older people who live in the house. They do, however, generate a magnetic force that could interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean because food and debris could build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or you can opt for a specialist product to help keep your hob sparkling and in good order for a longer time. Just be sure to never use abrasive cleaners or pads to scour your induction hob as they could scratch the surface.