Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electric or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can pick the one that
best ovens fits your kitchen and your style.
Induction hobs are equipped with flat ceramic surfaces and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern and sleek appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and are able to be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your electricity bills. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you need to cook something that requires quick reduction or increase of temperature.
Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through rotating knobs. You can even use the 'boost' feature to increase the temperature of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high rate of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in an area that is away from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also quite affordable and is a great option if you want to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. But, as with all appliances, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.
The drawback of this kind of
hob uk is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. 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 could result in inconsistent cooking results and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for a sleek, modern aesthetic. They can be more expensive than electric models, and could require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating and the water in a full pot will typically boil in less than four minutes. This type of stove is a great choice for cooks who need to control the amount of heat that is produced. However, it should be observed that a glass-based hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and will likely require cleaning more frequently, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to remain instead of sliding off.
One of the best examples of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni
hob, that has four black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs to create an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left side of the gas
hob has an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also features a handy power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like the highest setting for sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
Its simple yet intuitive controls were also well loved by our test subjects who found them be very simple to use. Some minor disadvantages are that you need to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest level of heating and it may be difficult to see the status of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is one of the top gas-on glass hobs available at an affordable price. It's not likely to win any design prizes however it's going to do the job and can be a great option for your kitchen at just over 120 pounds.
Electric
Hobs OvenElectric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. Not only do they offer an elegant design that fits in with 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.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. These hobs are designed with a sleek glazed finish, and feature a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also usually fitted 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 suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric and gas plates. They are therefore more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular type of pan to work with them and are costly to install.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are another great option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under the glass, which is flat, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempering glass. A lot of these hobs are equipped with the "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.
Gas hobs are a popular choice for many home chefs, but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and take some time to heat up and cool off. However electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
You can even find electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, providing you with the flexibility needed to meet your needs. It's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those who have pacemakers since the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that generate an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy perspective, as there's no residual heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these premium models come with a touch slider control that resembles to the way you operate an iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Certain models have preset settings for certain food items or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more energy efficient over the long term. They heat up faster and have a smaller area for heating which could reduce your energy bills. They cool down faster and also are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them ideal for families with elderly or children. However, they do produce magnetic fields that could cause interference with medical devices, such as pacemakers, therefore it is essential to center your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs you'll need to keep your induction hob clean as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use an
oven hob cleaner, or you can purchase a specialist cleaner to help keep your hob sparkling and in good order for a longer time. Make sure you don't use scrubbers or pads for scouring on your induction cooker as they can scratch the surface.