Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with flames or electricity. There are many different types of hobs. You can pick the one that is best suited to your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs are equipped with an elongated ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have an elegant and contemporary look which can greatly improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be wiped down if spills or splatters occur. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient and can help reduce your electricity bills. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you need to cook something that requires quick reduction or increase of temperature.
Electric hobs are made of plates that are heated by electric elements underneath. These elements can be controlled individually using rotary knobs and notched up to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs also have extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch after being turned off. This could be a problem for families with children, so it's recommended to only install them in a place that is well away from flammable objects and not within reach of little ones.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety of worktops such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great option for those looking to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. Like any appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need to buy cookware that is either exactly the same dimensions as the element or that is able to fit in each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, the element will not 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
Gas-powered glass hobs have a sleek, modern aesthetic. While they can be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not unusual for a full pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This type of hob also works well for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to accumulate grease and other residue.
A fantastic example of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs to create a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also comes with the wok ring that has 4kW for additional versatility, as well as dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easier to keep clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is a stylish slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the gas hob features two burners inside to increase the distribution of heat and accelerate cooking. It also has an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine preset 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 easy to use and intuitive. A few minor drawbacks are the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest temperature and it may be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that you can buy at a reasonable price. Although it's unlikely to be a winner of 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 ideal for modern homes. They not only offer an elegant design that blends in with the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with modern technology that is safer, more efficient and energy-efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. These hobs also come with a power booster feature which allows you to boost the heat for a short time.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan, and can be costly to install.
Glass hobs with gas are a different option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has an oven that is surrounded by an underlying layer of flat glass. However, this glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's easier to clean than the typical tempered glass. A lot of these hobs have a "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the heat.
best hob uk ovensandhobs.uk are a popular choice for a lot of home cooks, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take time to cool down and warm down and their flames can be hard to manage. However electric hobs are energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency, you can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, allowing you the flexibility you need to meet your needs. It is important to note that these hobs will require installation by a registered gas safe engineer and require a separate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could 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 a hob, the coils produce magnetic fields that produce heat directly within the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy standpoint since there's no heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction hobs starting from basic ones with only one cooking zone with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Some of these premium models feature a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar at the middle to choose the desired level of heat, left to right boosts heat and right-to-left decreases it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for certain 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 area for heating which could reduce your energy bills. They also cool faster and have a safer design without hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with young children or elderly persons living in the home. However, they do produce a magnetic force that could cause interference with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean since food particles and other debris can accumulate over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your hob shiny and in good condition for a longer time. Avoid using any abrasive cleaning product or a scouring pad on your stove, as they can scratch the surface.