Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are a variety of hobs, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have an elegant and contemporary look that can really enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned in the event of spills or splatters. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient and can help reduce your electricity bills. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to adjust temperature settings, which can be frustrating if you're cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. They can be individually controlled with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can even use the boost feature to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a very high rate of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch even after being turned off. This can be a problem when you have children, so it's best to install them in a place that is away from any flammable items and not within reach of children.
The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be put in in a variety of worktops, such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be a great option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.
The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to pan size and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that's exactly the same size as the element or that will fit comfortably inside the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, it won't recognise it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas-powered glass hobs have a sleek, modern aesthetic. While they can be more expensive than electric ones and require professional installation, they usually take less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a full pan of water to boil within four minutes or less. This type of hob is also a great option for cooks who want to control the amount of heat generated. However, it should be observed that a glass-based hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel ones and will likely require cleaning more often, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of sliding off.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant appearance. best hob uk includes a 4kW wok ring to increase versatility, and dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easier to keep clean.
Best place to buy oven and hob recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left of the gas hob provides an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and increase the speed of cooking. It also features an excellent power level indicator, which assists in regulating the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing steak and an option for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were also well appreciated by our testers who found them be very simple to use. A few minor issues are that you must press the controls a further nine times to reach the highest temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are available at an affordable price. It's not likely to win any design prizes, but it will serve its purpose and be an excellent addition to your kitchen at just above 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, they are they are also more efficient, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They're designed with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges and scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature 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. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan, and can be costly to install.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a different option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it comes with the burner underneath the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs have the "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the heat.
Gas hobs remain a popular choice for many home chefs, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take a while to heat up and cool down, and their flame can be difficult to control. However, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, meaning you can adjust your cooking to suit your lifestyle. It's important to note, however, that these stoves will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer. They also require an appropriate cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people who have pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils which run an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils produce magnetic fields which heat the pan directly instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are very energy efficient, as they don't squander heat.
There are many models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone marked by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves with up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these models feature a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Certain models have preset settings for certain recipes or food types, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more efficient in the long run. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller heating area which can lower the cost of energy. They also cool quicker and feature a safer design without hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with young children or elderly persons living in the house. However, they create a magnetic field which could affect medical devices like pacemakers so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs, you will need to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your hob clean and in good shape for a longer time. Avoid using the abrasive cleaning products or the a scouring pad on your stove as they may scratch the surface.