Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans using flames or electricity. There are many different types of hobs. You can pick the one that best fits your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide modern and sleek design that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, so spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to reduce your electricity bills. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to change temperatures and can be a hassle when cooking something that requires immediate reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs are comprised of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be individually controlled with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a place that is away from items that could ignite and away from children's reach.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great alternative if you're looking to replace your old hobs without spending a lot of money. As with all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs will be safe to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You will need to purchase cookware that either matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, the element won't recognize it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in design. Although they may be more expensive than electric models and may require professional installation, they usually require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a good choice for cooks who prefer to limit the amount of heat generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to build up grease and residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners finished in matt black, with control knobs made of metal for a stylish, sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob features an inner flame that doubles to promote improvement in even heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also features a handy power level indicator, which assists in regulating the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing a steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test participants also liked the controls, as they were simple and easy to use. ovens are that you must press the controls a further nine times before reaching the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
A few of the top gas on glass hobs are available at affordable prices like this Neff model. While it's unlikely to win any design awards but it can do the job well and is an excellent addition to your kitchen for less than 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. They are not only elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost function which lets you increase the temperature of your stove for a short amount of time.
Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means they are more energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan, and could be expensive to put in.
Gas on glass hobs are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it has the burner underneath a layer of flat glass. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much simpler to clean than the typical glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs are equipped with an "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.
Gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks, but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to warm up and cool down and their flame can be difficult to manage. However electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can also find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, so you can adjust your cooking to fit your needs. It's important to remember that these hobs need to be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for those with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields which heat the pan directly instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from a energy point of view since there's no heat that is wasted.
There are many different models of an induction hob, from basic entry level ones that have one cooking zone that is marked by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones, allowing you to cook several pots simultaneously in one flex zone. Some of these premium models come with the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the 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 can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more efficient in the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating space which can lower your energy bills. They cool faster and also are more secure without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with elderly or children. However, they create magnetic fields that can affect medical devices such as pacemakers so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid placing 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 a regular oven cleaner, or opt for a specialist product to help keep your hob shiny and in good condition for longer. It is not recommended to use the abrasive cleaning products or the a scouring pad on your stove since they could scratch the surface.