Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can choose the one that best suits your kitchen and design.
Induction hobs come with flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and include four or five zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic Hobs Oven offer modern and sleek design that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, which means spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your energy bills. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow to change temperatures and can be a hassle when cooking something that requires immediate reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs are made of plates that are heated by electric elements beneath. They can be controlled individually with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the level of power you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch even after being turned off. This can be a problem if you have children, so it's best to install them in a location that is well away from any flammable items and away from young children.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be set up on a variety of worktops, such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and is an excellent option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs, but without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we would recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's very sensitive to pan size and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it will not recognise it and will not begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven results in cooking and makes the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas-powered glass hobs have an elegant, modern look. They are more expensive than electric hobs, and may require professional installations. However they heat up faster as a full pot of water will typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of hob is ideal for cooks who wish to control how much heat is produced. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they tend to accumulate grease and other residue.
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 extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings to the left of the hob features the double inner flame to improve even heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also has a handy power indicator that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, such as the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our testers also liked the controls as they were easy to use and intuitive. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you have to 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.
This Neff model is one of the top gas-on glass hobs that you can buy at a reasonable price. It's not going to win any design awards but it'll perform the task and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost feature which lets you increase the heat of your cooker for a short amount of time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob perfect for modern homes. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan and can be costly to install.
Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath a flat glass layer, similar to a conventional gas stove. However, this glass is heatproof and shatterproof, so it's much simpler to clean than tempered glass. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the oven is hot.
While gas hobs remain an option that is popular with home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take a while to heat up and cool down, and their flame can be difficult to manage. Electric hobs, on the other side are more energy efficient and are easier to clean.
There are electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, allowing you the flexibility to meet your needs. It is important to remember, however, that these hobs will require installation by a registered gas safe engineer and will require an appropriate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for people with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils create an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils produce magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy standpoint since there's no heat that is wasted.
There are many models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone identified by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones and allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously on one flex area. Some of these models come with a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar at the middle to select the desired temperature left to right increases the heat and right-to-left decreases it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items 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 in the long run. They can heat faster and have a smaller area for heating which can lower your energy costs. They cool quicker and are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people. However, they do produce magnetic fields that could affect 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 electric hob clean, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to keep your hob sparkling and in good order for a longer time. Make sure you don't use the abrasive cleaning pads or scouring pads on your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.