Types of Hobs

A hob (known as stove tops in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electricity or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, and you can pick one that fits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern appearance. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing temperature settings. This can be a problem when you have to cook something that requires a quick decrease or an increase in the heat.

Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The power of each element can be adjusted via rotating knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs oven; Learn Additional Here, are able to hold heat well, so even when they've been shut off, they'll be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge if you have children, so it's best oven uk to only install them in an area that is away from any flammable items and not within reach of little ones.

The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and is a great option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. However, like all appliances they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, and we suggest 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 very sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You will need to purchase cookware that either 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 recognise it and will not begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas-powered glass hobs have an elegant, modern look. They are more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster and the water in a full pot will typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This kind of hob is also a great choice for cooks who want to control the amount of heat produced. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to build up grease and other residue.

A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.

Another highly 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 to the left side of the gas best hob uk has a double inner burner to improve the distribution of heat and accelerate cooking. It also has a handy power level indicator, which assists in regulating the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled eggs.

The simple, yet intuitive controls were also well appreciated by our testers who found them be very simple to use. A few minor issues are that you have to press the controls a further nine times before reaching the maximum heating level, and that 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. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just over PS120.

Electric hobs

There are many electric hobs that work for modern homes. They are not only elegant and stylish, but they are also safer, faster 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's resistant to smudges or scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature that lets you increase your heat for a short duration.

Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly 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 specific kind of pan to work and can be 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, similar to a standard gas stove. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator' that warns you when the hob uk is heated.

Although gas hobs are an option that is popular with home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to heat up and cool down and their flames can be hard to manage. However, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.

For the ultimate in modern efficiency, you can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to suit your lifestyle. It's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.

Hobs with induction

Copper coils run an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't squander heat.

There are many different models of induction hobs that range from basic models that have only one cooking zone that is marked with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs and ovens that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one flexible zone. Certain models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models have preset settings that are specific to recipes or food types, which can save time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are considered to be more efficient in the long run because they heat up quicker and have a smaller surface for heating up which can help reduce your energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people living in the home. However, they do 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 with larger burners.

Like all electric hobs, you'll have to clean your electric hob regularly, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use a regular best oven uk cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your stove sparkling and in good order for longer. You should never use any abrasive cleaning product or scratching pads on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.