Types of Hobs

A hob, also referred to as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with flames or electricity. There are a variety of hobs available, so you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs have an elongated 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 can give your kitchen a modern and sleek appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and are able to be wiped down if spills or splatters occur. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow to adjust the temperature, which can be frustrating when cooking food that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.

Electric hobs are comprised of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be controlled individually using rotary knobs and notched to the power level you require. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature in order to increase the temperature of a single area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even after they are turned off, they'll be hot to the touch. It is important to put ceramic hobs and ovens in a place that is safe from items that could ignite and away from children's reach.

The advantage of this type 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's also quite affordable and can be an excellent alternative if you are looking to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.

The drawback of this kind of hob uk is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You will need to purchase cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, the element won't recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer modern, sleek design. They are more expensive than electric hobs, and could require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating and a full pot of water will typically boil within less than four minutes. This type of oven hob also works well for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more susceptible 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 matt black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs that create a a stylish and sophisticated finish. The wok ring is 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the hob offers the double inner flame to ensure uniform heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also comes with an excellent power level indicator, which allows you to control the exact temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including a high setting for searing steaks and an option for scrambled eggs.

Our test participants also liked the controls as they were easy to use and intuitive. A few minor issues are that you must press the controls nine 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 affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not going to win any design awards, but it will serve its purpose and be a great addition to your kitchen at just above PS120.

Electric hobs

There are a number of electric hobs that work for modern households. Not only do they have a sleek design that fits into the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide modern technology that is safer, quicker and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. They 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 feature that allows you to increase the heat of your hob for a brief period of time.

Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric and gas plates. This means they are more energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work and can be costly to set up.

Gas on glass hobs are a great alternative for modern homes. It has a burner underneath a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. However it's shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much simpler to clean than the typical glass that's tempered. Many of these Hobs oven are equipped with a "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.

Although gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to heat up and cool down and their flames can be hard to manage. In contrast, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.

To achieve the highest level of modern technology, you can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you can adjust your cooking to suit your lifestyle. It's important to note that these hobs need to be installed by an accredited gas safe engineer and require an appropriate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.

Hobs with induction

Copper coils conduct an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils produce magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, rather than heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from a energy point of view since there's no heat that is wasted.

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 advanced multi zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously on one flex area. Some of these models have a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar in the middle to select the desired level of heat left to right boosts heat and right to left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings for specific food types or recipes that can cut down time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are considered to be more efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and have a smaller area for heating up which can help reduce your energy bills. They cool quicker, and they have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them ideal for families that have elderly or children. However, they do create magnetic forces that can cause interference with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.

As with all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean regularly because food and debris could build up over time. You can either employ a standard oven and hob cleaner or invest in a professional one to keep your stove in good condition and shining for a longer time. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaning products or a scouring pad on your stove since they could scratch the surface.