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

Induction hobs have flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and come with five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and stylish, and easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek look. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and are able to be cleaned if spills or splatters occur. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient and can lower your electric bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to adjust temperature settings, which can be frustrating when cooking food that requires an instant reduction or increase in heat.

Electric hobs utilize plates that are heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be adjusted by the rotary knobs. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature in order to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even when they are turned off, they'll be hot to the touch. This could be a problem if you have children, so it's recommended to only install them in a place that is well away from flammable objects and away from little ones.

The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be put in in a variety of worktops such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also quite affordable and can be an excellent option if you want to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. Like all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.

This kind of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it will not recognize it and won't begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern look. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and require professional installation. However they heat up faster - an entire pot of water can often boil within less than four minutes. This kind of stove is also a great option for cooks who prefer to limit the amount of heat generated. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and other residue.

This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners finished in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant look. It also includes the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easier to keep clean.

This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the gas hob features a double inner burner to increase heat distribution and increase the speed of cooking. It also features a handy power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, such as the highest setting for sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.

The simple and easy-to-use controls were also appreciated by our testers who found them be extremely easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you have to press the controls nine times to reach the maximum heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.

Some of the best gas-on-glass hobs can be found at an affordable price like this Neff model. It's not going to win any design prizes however it's going to perform the task and be a great option for your kitchen at just above 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. They're not only sleek and stylish, they are they are also safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster function which allows you to boost the heat for a brief period of time.

Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs cook your food directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric and gas plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a particular kind of pan and can be costly to install.

Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has a burner beneath the glass is a flat layer. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much simpler to clean than standard glass that's tempered. Many of these hobs come with an "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the heat.

Gas hobs remain a preferred choice for a lot of home cooks, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take time to cool down and warm down and their flame can be difficult to control. However electric hobs are energy-efficient and simpler to clean.

To achieve the highest level of modern technology You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to suit your lifestyle. However, it's important to note that these hobs must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable for your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people with pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob the coils create magnetic fields which directly heat the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs and ovens very efficient from a energy point of view since there's no heat being wasted.

There are a myriad of models of induction hob that range from basic ones with only one cooking zone with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots simultaneously in one Flex zone. Some of these premium models have an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired heat level, left to right increases the heat and right to left reduces it. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more energy efficient in the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating area which could reduce your energy costs. They also cool faster and have a safer design without hot plates, making them ideal for families with children or elderly people who live in the house. They do, however, generate an electric force that could interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial 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 and debris can accumulate over time. You can use an oven hob cleaner, or you can invest in a specialist product to keep your hob shiny and in good condition for longer. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaning products or scouring pad on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.