Types of Hobs

A hob, also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric power or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, and you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs are equipped with a flat ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern design. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow in changing temperature settings which can be a problem if you're cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.

Electric hobs are made up of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted by rotary knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they are turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This could be a problem when you have children, so it's best ovens to only install them in a Best place to buy oven and hob that is well away from flammable objects and not within reach of little ones.

This kind of hob is able to be mounted on a variety of worktops such as laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.

The downside to this kind of hob is that it's sensitive to pan size and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, it will not recognize it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent results in cooking and makes the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass Hobs oven made of gas have a sleek and modern look. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster as the water in a full pot can typically boil in less than four minutes. This type of hob is also a great option for cooks who prefer to regulate the amount of heat produced. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and will need to be cleaned more frequently, as the build-up of grease and residue tends to stick instead of sliding off.

A fantastic example of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four matt black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring is 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.

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

The simple, yet intuitive controls were loved by our test subjects, who found them to be very easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you need to press the controls nine more times to reach the highest heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.

This Neff model is one of the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that you can buy at a reasonable price. While it's not going to win any design awards but it can do the job well and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just 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 advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass best hob. They're designed with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to scratches or smudges. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature that lets you increase the heat for a short period of time.

Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a particular kind of pan and can be costly to install.

Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it comes with a burner beneath the glass is a flat layer. However it's heatproof and shatterproof, so it's easier to clean than the typical glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs come with a "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.

While gas hobs are still a popular option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and take a long time to warm up and cool down. Electric hobs, on other hand are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.

For the highest level of modern efficiency, you can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, giving you the flexibility needed to meet your needs. It's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a 6mm cable for your kitchen. They're also not suitable for those with pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

Copper coils create an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a hob the coils generate magnetic fields that generate heat directly in the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from a energy standpoint since there's no heat that is wasted.

There are a myriad of models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone labelled by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones and allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously within a flex area. Certain models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar at the middle to choose the desired level of heat left to right increases the heat and right to left reduces it. Some models 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 term. They are more efficient in heating and Hobs Oven have a smaller area for heating which can reduce your energy bills. They cool faster and have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them ideal for families with elderly or children. However, they create a magnetic field which could cause interference with medical devices, such as pacemakers, Hobs oven so it's important to center your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs, you will have to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven hob cleaning product or purchase a specialist one to keep your oven in good condition and shiny for longer. It is not recommended to use any abrasive cleaning product or scratching pads on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.