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 several different types of hobs, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs feature flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and have five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs provide modern and sleek design that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can easily be cleaned up in the event of spills or splatters. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you need to cook something that requires a quick reduction or increase of heat.

Electric hobs are made of an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. These elements can be individually controlled with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even when they have been turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. This can be a problem when you have children, so it's best oven uk to place them in a place which is far from any flammable items and out of reach of children.

The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be set up on a variety of worktops, such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable and is a great option for those looking to replace your old hobs, but without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.

The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that's 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 dimensions as the element, the element will not recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs have a sleek and modern look. They can be more expensive than electric models, and could require professional installation. However they heat up faster as the water in a full pot will typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This kind of hob works well for cooks who wish to control how much heat is generated. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require frequent cleaning as they are more likely to accumulate grease and other residue.

One of the best hob uk examples of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also has a 4kW wok ring for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is a stylish slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left of the gas hob provides a double inner burner to increase heat distribution and increase the speed of cooking. It also comes with a handy power indicator that helps 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 low one for scrambled eggs.

Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you need to press the controls nine more times to reach the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern the burners' actions.

This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that you can buy at a reasonable price. While it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen at just PS120.

Electric hobs

Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. Not only do they have an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with advanced functionality that is safer, quicker and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also typically equipped with a power boost function that allows you to increase the temperature of your stove for a short period of time.

Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. In contrast to traditional electric and Best ovens and hobs gas plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a particular kind of pan and can be costly to install.

A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that's an excellent choice 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 easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs come with an "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.

Gas hobs remain a popular option for many home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and can take a long time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs, on the other side are more energy efficient and easier to clean.

For the ultimate in modern efficiency, you can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, providing you with the flexibility to meet your needs. It's important to keep in mind that these hobs need to be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.

Hobs with induction

Beneath the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils which run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields which directly heat the pan instead of heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't use any heat.

There are a variety of models of induction stoves, from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone identified by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves with up to 6 zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked on one flex area. Some of these premium models have a touch slider control that looks very similar to the way you use on an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired level of heat left to right boosts heat and right to left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings that are specific to food types or recipes that can cut down time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more energy efficient in the long term. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller area for heating which can reduce your energy costs. They cool down faster and also are more secure without hot plates. This makes them ideal for families that have elderly or children. However, they do produce magnetic fields that can interfere with some medical devices such as pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans on the burner and avoid placing 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 opt for a specialist product to keep your hob shiny and in good condition for longer. Be sure to not use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads to scour your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.