Types of
hobs ovenA hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans by using electricity or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can choose the one that
best oven suits your kitchen and your style.
Induction hobs feature flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and include four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer a sleek and modern look that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and are able to be cleaned if spills or splatters occur. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient and can lower your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you are cooking something that requires quick reduction or increase of temperature.
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 via the rotary knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even when they've been shut off, they'll be hot to the touch. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a location that is far from items that could ignite and out of reach of children.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be put in on a variety worktops, such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be a great alternative if you are looking to replace your stove without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances,
ovens they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. It is essential to purchase cookware that matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element won't recognize it and won't start to heat up the base of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas-powered glass hobs have a sleek, modern aesthetic. Although they may cost more than electric models and may require professional installation, they usually require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to come to a boil within four minutes or less. This type of stove is a great choice for cooks who wish to control how much heat is generated. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and will likely require cleaning more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to remain rather than slide off.
One of the
best hob examples of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs to create an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring is 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the hob features a double inner flame to promote improvement in even heat distribution and increases cooking time. It also has a handy power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, including the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and intuitive. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you must press the controls a further nine times to reach the highest heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.
A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available for an affordable price, such as this Neff model. While it's not going to win any design awards but it can do the job well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen for just over 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a number of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They are not only sleek and stylish, they are also faster, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're made with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges and scratches. They also come with a power booster function which allows you to boost the heat for a brief period of time.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan and can be costly to set up.
Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath a flat glass layer, similar to a standard gas stove. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs are equipped with an "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.
Gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks However, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take an extended time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs on the other hand, are more efficient in energy use and are easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, meaning you'll have the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to note that these hobs will need to be installed by an accredited gas safe engineer and require an appropriate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those who have pacemakers since the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils create an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction
oven hob. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a stove, the coils create magnetic fields that create heat directly in the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy point of view, as there's no residual heat being wasted.
There are a variety of models of an induction hob that range from basic ones that have a single cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones, allowing the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously on one flex zone. Certain models come with a touch-slider control that resembles to how you operate on an iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some 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 more energy efficient in the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller area for heating which can lower the cost of energy. They cool quicker and are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them ideal for families with elderly or children. They do, however, generate a magnetic force that could interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll need to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use an
oven hob cleaner, or you can opt for a specialist product to keep your stove sparkling and in good order for longer. Avoid using any abrasive cleaning product or scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.