Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electric or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can pick the one that best suits your kitchen and design.
Induction hobs feature flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and come with five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and are able to be cleaned up in the event of spills or splatters. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient and can lower the cost of electricity. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing temperatures and can be a hassle when cooking food that requires an instant reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements under. These elements can be controlled individually with rotary knobs, and then tacked to the power level you require. You can also use the 'boost' feature in order to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge when you have children, so it's advisable to only install them in a place which is far from any flammable items and away from young children.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be put in in a variety of worktops such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and is a great option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we would recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that your new hobs are safe for 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. It is essential to purchase cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, it won't recognise it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob 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 require professional installation. However they heat up faster as the water in a full pot can often boil within less than four minutes. This type of hob also works well for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and other residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal to give it a chic, sophisticated appearance. It also has an oblong wok ring with 4kW for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob has a double inner flame to ensure even heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including the high setting for searing a steak and an option for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were appreciated by our testers who found them to be extremely easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are that you have to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest level of heating and it can be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are available at an affordable price. It's not going to win any design prizes however it's going to serve its purpose and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just over PS120.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern households. They're not just sleek and stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. These hobs have an elegant glazed finish and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature which allows you to boost your heat for a short time.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. This means they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan, and can be costly to install.
A gas-on-glass hob is another option that is a good option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath the glass, which is flat, similar to a conventional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs are equipped with the "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the temperature.
Gas hobs remain a popular choice for a lot of home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and take some time to warm up and cool down. However electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency, you can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, providing you with the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. It's important to remember that these hobs need to be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable for your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers since the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils run an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that generate heat directly in the pan, ovensandhobs.Uk rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy perspective because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction hob, from basic entry level models that have one cooking zone that is with rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs with up to six zones, allowing the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously on one flexible zone. Certain models feature a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar at the middle to select the desired heat level left to right increases the heat and right-to-left decreases it. Some models have preset settings for specific recipes or food types which can help you save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more efficient in the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating area which could reduce your energy bills. They also cool faster and have a more secure design without hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with children or elderly people living in the house. They do, however, produce a magnetic force that could interfere with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean, because food and debris could accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or you can invest in a specialist product to keep your stove clean and in good shape for a longer time. Be sure to not use scrubbers or pads to scour your induction cooker as they can scratch the surface.