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 several different types of hobs available, so you can pick one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic cooking surface 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 ovenCeramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps 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 a quick reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually through rotary knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature in order to boost the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even after they've been shut off, they'll be hot to the touch. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a location that is away from flammable items and away from children's reach.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable and is a great alternative if you're 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 your new hobs will be safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need to buy cookware that's either the exact same size as the element, or that will fit comfortably inside the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, the element won't recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs are sleek and contemporary in design. While they can 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 boil in four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a great choice for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat being produced. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and will likely need to be cleaned more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface rather than slide off.
A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs to create a stylish and sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left side of the gas hob features a double inner burner to increase heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also has a handy power indicator that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine preset settings, such as the highest setting for
best hobs uk ovens and hobs (
Applelife.Org) sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our test participants also liked the controls as they were simple and intuitive. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you have to press the controls nine more times to reach the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
This Neff model is one of the best gas-on-glass hobs available at an affordable price. It's not going win any design prizes but it'll do the job and can be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just more than 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern households. They are not only sleek and stylish, they are they are also more efficient, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They are designed with a sleek glazed finish, and feature an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost function that allows you to increase the heat of your hob for a short period of time.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work with them and are costly to install.
A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that's a great choice for modern homes. It has a burner underneath the glass, which is flat, similar to a conventional gas stove. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs have an "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.
Gas hobs remain a preferred option for many home cooks However, they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take time to heat up and cool down and their flames can be difficult to manage. However, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
There are even electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility needed to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to remember, however, that these stoves will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils run an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils create magnetic fields that directly heat the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy point of view, as there's no residual heat that is wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves starting with the basic models with a single zone identified by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously within a flex area. Certain models feature a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar at the middle to choose the desired heat level left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are thought to be more energy efficient in the long run as they heat up much quicker and have a smaller area to heat up which could help reduce your energy bills. They cool faster, and they have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families with elderly or children. However, they can create magnetic fields that can affect 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 keep your induction hob clean as food and debris can build up over time. You can either employ a standard
oven uk cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your oven in good condition and shiny for longer. Avoid using the abrasive cleaning products or the a scouring pad on your stove, as they can scratch the surface.