Types of Hobs

A hob, also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans by using electric or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs available, so you can pick one that is best hob suited to your preferences and kitchen.

Induction hobs come with flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic 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 offer an elegant and contemporary look which can greatly enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned up when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient and can help reduce your electricity bills. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow in changing the temperature which can be a problem when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or an increase in heat.

Electric hobs are made of a solid plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The power of each element can be adjusted individually by the rotary knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a certain area. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch after being turned off. It is important to put ceramic hobs in an area that is far from items that could ignite and away from children's reach.

The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be put in in a variety of worktops, such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and is an excellent option if you're looking to replace your old hobs, but without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we would recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.

The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's 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 fits comfortably in 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 base of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and will make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer an elegant, modern look. They are more expensive than electric hobs, and require professional installation. However they heat up faster as a full pot of water can typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of hob works well for cooks who wish to limit the amount of heat is generated. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.

One of the best ovens and hobs uk examples of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. It also comes with an oblong wok ring with 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, Best Place To Buy Oven And Hob which is a stylish slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left side of the hob has a double inner flame to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution and increases cooking time. It also comes with an indicator for power that helps you to control the exact 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 testers also liked the controls, as they were simple and easy to use. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you need to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest heating level and it can be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.

Some of the top gas on glass hobs are available for affordable prices like this Neff model. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is a fantastic addition to your kitchen for less than PS120.

Electric hobs

There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits into the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functionality that is safer, more efficient and efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster function that lets you increase the heat for a short duration.

Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a certain kind of pan to work and are costly to set up.

Gas on glass hobs are a different option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath an unidirectional glass layer like a traditional gas stove. However, this glass is heatproof and shatterproof, so it's much easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs also include a 'hot-surface indicator' that warns you when the oven is hot.

While gas hobs are still an option that is popular with home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to warm up ovens and hobs cool down and their flame can be hard to control. In contrast, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.

To achieve the highest level of modern efficiency You can also find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, allowing you the flexibility you need to adapt to your lifestyle. But, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils produce magnetic fields that directly heat the pan rather than heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy point of view since there's no heat that is wasted.

There are a variety of models of induction hobs, from basic entry level 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. Certain models feature an adjustable slider control 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 specific food items or recipes which can help you save time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are thought to be more efficient in the long run because they heat up quicker and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help lower your energy costs. They cool down faster, and they are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them ideal for families that have elderly or children. They do, however, create a magnetic force that could interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.

Like all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean regularly as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can make use of a basic oven cleaner or invest in a professional one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or scratching pads on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.