Types of Hobs

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

Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic cooking surface and come with five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs offer modern and sleek design that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient and can lower the cost of electricity. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow in changing temperature settings which can be a problem when cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.

Electric hobs are comprised of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually by rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs and ovens also have extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch after being turned off. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a place that is far from flammable items and out of reach of children.

The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be set up in a variety of worktops such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is a great option for those trying to replace your old hobs without spending a lot of money. Like any appliance, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.

This type of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need to buy cookware that either matches the element exactly or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it will not recognise it and won't start to heat up the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in design. While they be more expensive than electric ones and require professional installation, they usually take less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This type of hob also is a great choice for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to accumulate grease and residue.

This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to give it a chic, sophisticated look. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.

This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass with modern cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the gas hob provides a double inner burner to improve the distribution of heat and accelerate cooking. It also has an indicator for power that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including a high setting for searing steak and an option for scrambled eggs.

The simple and easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them be very simple to use. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you need to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest heating level, and that it can be difficult to see the status of the burners through the glass.

Some of the best ovens and hobs gas on glass hobs are available at affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not going win any design prizes however it's going to serve its purpose and be an excellent option for your kitchen at just above PS120.

Electric hobs

There are a number of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They not only offer an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more efficient in energy use than their predecessors.

One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature which lets you 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. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. They are therefore more energy-efficient, best ovens and hobs uk they offer precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan and could be expensive to put in.

A gas on glass hob is a second option that's a great choice for modern homes. It has a burner underneath a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempered glass. A majority of these hobs come with a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the hob is heated.

While gas hobs are still an option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to warm up and cool down, and their flame can be hard to manage. On the other hand electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.

There are even electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. It's important to note that these hobs require installation by an approved gas safe engineer. They also require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Copper coils run 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 a heated plate. Induction hobs oven (site) are energy efficient, as they don't squander heat.

There are a variety of models of induction hob, from basic entry level ones that have only one cooking zone marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs with up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Some of these premium models have a touch slider control that is very similar to the way you operate on an iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar in the middle to select the desired level of heat, left to right increases the heat and right to left decreases it. Some models have preset settings for certain recipes or food types which can help you save time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are considered to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up faster and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help you save on energy bills. They also cool down quicker and feature a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with children or elderly people who live in the house. However, they create a magnetic field which could affect medical devices such as pacemakers so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean regularly as food and debris can build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to help keep your hob shiny and in good condition for a longer time. Be sure to not use scrubbers or pads for scouring on your induction hob as they could scratch the surface.