Types of Hobs

A hob, also referred to as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can choose the one that best oven suits your kitchen and style.

Induction hobs have a flat ceramic surface and either four or five zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern design. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, which means spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you have to cook something that requires quick decrease or an increase in temperature.

Electric hobs are comprised of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be individually adjusted by the rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular zone. Ceramic hobs oven are able to hold heat well, and even after they are turned off, they'll be hot to the touch. This could be a problem if you have children, so it's best to only install them in a place that is away from any flammable items and not within reach of children.

The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be installed in a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid wood and granite. It is also relatively affordable and is a great option for those trying to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. However, like all appliances they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.

This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. 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, then the element will not recognise it and won't start to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas-powered glass hobs have an elegant, modern look. Although they may cost more than electric models and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not unusual for a full pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This type of hob is also a good choice for cooks who want to control the amount of heat produced. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and may need to be cleaned more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to remain instead of sliding off.

A fantastic example of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated look. It also comes with the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.

This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass with cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings to the left of the hob has an inner flame that doubles to ensure even heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also features an indicator for power that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-set settings, like a high setting to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled eggs.

Its simple yet intuitive controls were loved by our test subjects who found them be extremely easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you have to press the controls nine more times before reaching the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern the burners' actions.

This Neff model is one of the best hobs gas-on-glass hobs that are available at a low cost. It's not going win any design awards but it'll perform the task and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just above 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are many electric hobs that are perfect for modern homes. They're not just elegant and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most well-known electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster function that lets you increase your heat for a short time.

Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and have precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan, and can be costly to install.

A gas on glass hob is a different option that's a great choice for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under a flat glass layer, similar to a conventional gas stove. However it's shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much simpler to clean than standard tempered glass. Many of these hobs have the "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.

While gas hobs are still an option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take a long time to get hot and cool off. In contrast, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use 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, allowing you the flexibility needed to adapt to your lifestyle. But, it's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for people with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.

Induction hobs

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

There are many models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone labelled by rings up to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these premium models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar at the middle to select the desired level of heat left to right increases heat and right to left decreases it. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more energy efficient over the long term. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller area for heating which can reduce the cost of energy. They also cool faster and have a safer design with no hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or older people who live in the house. However, they create magnetic fields that can 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 have to clean your electric hob uk regularly, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or you can opt for a specialist product to keep your stove shiny and in good condition for a longer time. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or scouring pad on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.