Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove tops 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 pick the one that best fits your kitchen and design.
Induction hobs are equipped with a flat ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide an elegant and contemporary look that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They also heat up very quickly ovens and hobs uk are energy efficient, which can help to reduce your electricity bills. Ceramic hobs aren’t always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you need to cook something that requires quick decrease or an increase in the heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. They can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can also use the ‘boost’ feature in order to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they’ve been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. It’s important to install ceramic hobs in a place that is away from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob can be used on a variety of worktops including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and can be a great alternative if you’re looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. As with any appliance, they must be properly installed 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 very 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 recognise it and won’t be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in look. They can be more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However they are also more efficient in heating as an entire pot of water can often boil in less than four minutes. This type of hob also works well for cooks who need to control how much heat is produced. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to build up grease and sludge.
A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also has a 4kW wok ring to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easier to keep clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the gas hob provides an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and accelerate cooking. It also features an easy-to-read power level indicator that helps to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing a steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our testers also liked the controls as they were simple and easy to use. A few minor issues are that you must press the controls nine more times to reach the highest temperature and the glass can make it difficult to see what the burners are doing.
Some of the best gas on glass hobs are available at an affordable price like this Neff model. While it’s unlikely to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen for less than PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits into the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known 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.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. Induction hobs heat cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric and gas plates. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a specific kind of pan and can be costly to set up.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has an oven (navigate to these guys) that is surrounded by a layer of flat glass. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempering glass. A lot of these hobs come with a ‘hot surface indicator’ that warns you when the oven is hot.
Although gas hobs are an option that is popular with home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to warm up and cool down and their flame can be difficult to manage. In contrast electric hobs are efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
To achieve the highest level of modern technology You can also find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, providing you with the flexibility needed to adapt to your lifestyle. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Beneath the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob, 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). Induction hobs are very efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don’t squander heat.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves, from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone marked by rings up to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked within a flex area. Certain models feature an adjustable slider control 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. Some models have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic ovens hobs, but they are thought to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and use a smaller space to heat up which could help lower your energy costs. They also cool quicker and feature 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 can create a magnetic field which could interfere with some medical devices such as pacemakers so it is important to place your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs, you’ll need to keep your induction hob clean regularly because food and debris could build up over time. You can use a regular oven hob cleaner, or you can opt for a specialist product to help keep your hob sparkling and in good order for longer. It is not recommended to use any abrasive cleaning product or scratching pads on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.