What is a Hob?

Hob is a protein which is involved in the regulation of exocytosis. It has been found that it regulates the production of insulin by Drosophila cells. It is a component of the secretory apparatus, and is essential for professional secretory cell function.

In the British kitchen hobs are the equivalent of a cooktop or stove top. Nigella often suggests placing the pot "on the hob and oven." The word has a similar meaning in North America.

Induction hobs

Induction hobs make use of magnetism rather than direct heat to warm pans and pots. On the cooktop's surface are coils through which an alternating electric current is run. When a ferromagnetic cookware or pan is placed on the cooktop this creates a magnetic field that generates electricity. The cooktop is also cool to feel and uses less energy when in comparison to gas or electric models.

Another advantage is that induction hobs are less dangerous than gas hobs of the traditional variety and have no open flame to cause burns to your fingers or cookware. They are perfect for student rooms and student accommodation flats that iQ Student Accommodation uses where safety is important. This kind of hob is also easy to clean as the glass-ceramic cooktop's smooth surface doesn't get hot and is easy to clean with a damp cloth.

The downside to induction is that you need specific pans that can be used. You'll need pans with a flat or even thick base made of ferrous metals such as cast iron or steel. The pans you choose to use must be induction-compatible and a good way to determine this is by running a magnet across the base. If the magnet sticks to the pan, it's appropriate for your induction hob.

Other popular choices include ceramic hobs, which have an elegant appearance and are available in a variety of colors. They are easy to heat up, but they tend to use more energy than induction hobs, because they heat up the entire glass-ceramic surface. They are easy to clean, too, since the smooth cooktop surface can be cleaned using a cloth, and the majority of them have dishwasher safe lids for added convenience.

If you're looking for the most efficient of both, choose an induction cooktop equipped with a TFT display that displays the position of your cookware, and an adjustment panel to alter the power settings. It comes with four auto cooking modes to choose from (boil, melt and slow cook) and a boost function to give you faster results. It has lockable controls that prevent accidental button pushing. It also comes with a residual temperature indicator and an auto-shutdown option if you forget your hob.

Gas hobs

Gas hobs use propane or natural gas to heat their burners and oven hob. This allows for a faster cooking time and better temperature control. This makes it perfect for cooking, boiling, and sauteing as well as for other cooking techniques. Gas hobs are generally more affordable to run than electric hobs, despite the fact that they may not be as efficient as electric hobs.

Gas hobs are also dependant of electricity. This means that they can still function during power outages, though at a slower pace. The heat generated by the burners is also restricted to the pans that they are in contact with, reducing the risk of fire. But, it's crucial to keep any flammable items away from the stove and use safe cooking habits to prevent accidental fires.

Modern gas hobs are a combination of traditional burners and electrical components that control ignition, flame output and safety features. The majority of models use an electric ignition system that emits an electric spark or an electrical pilot flame to light the burner. They also have control knobs for adjusting the intensity of the flame and heat output. A lot of them include a built-in timer which lets you set a precise cooking duration.

While the initial cost of gas hobs is usually lower than an induction model, operating costs will depend on the local gas rates. Some gas hobs are compatible with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is less expensive than natural gas.

Gas hobs need more attention than electric ones. Gas hobs tend to collect oily spills on the burner's grates. It is also necessary to clean the flat and rimless cooking surface regularly to prevent food residues from building up. Some brands, like FUJIOH have made cleaning easier with cast iron or stainless steel hob grates. Their flat, rimless design avoids the need for awkwardly placed pot holders and utensils which could collect debris.

Electric hobs

Making use of electric coils to generate heat under the cooking zone, electric hobs are quick to heat and simple to clean after use. Many models come with residual heat indicators that inform you which areas were used recently and are too hot to touch or clean. This reduces the risk of accidents and is especially helpful for households with children. Some models also have overflow protection that detects when the pan is boiling and switches off the stove to prevent spillage.

Created to be elegant and stylish, induction hobs operate by transferring an electric current through copper coils, which create a magnetic field that heats the bottom of induction-compatible cookware. This makes them quicker to boil than gas hobs and offers precise temperature control, a cool-to-touch surface and energy efficiency.

However, these kinds of hobs can be more expensive than traditional gas models and need to be installed by professionals. Many come with a flat ceramic cooktops that have a modern design and offer an array of options, including child locks, timers, auto shut-off and built in sensors for food preparation.

A favorite choice among customers, electric ceramic hobs offer the best of both worlds by providing a smooth and easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to burns, scratches and staining. These models are also available in a range of colors to match your kitchen's design. Some have pre-installed trims and panels to give a seamless finish.

Similar to induction hobs, these hobs require regular maintenance, with burner caps and grates needing to be cleaned regularly and soaked in warm water to clean before reassembling. They are also prone to staining from liquid spillages and are slower than other hobs to heat up, but they have excellent energy efficiency.

The most delicious hobs

Hobs are a crucial kitchen appliance that can transform any food preparation into a spectacular symphony of flavours. We offer a range of hobs to fit every budget and need.

The best hobs are stylish durable, long-lasting and easy to clean. They also come with a range of features that let you cook like an expert. Ceramic, induction, and gas are the most well-known choices.

Ceramic hobs utilize electric heating elements beneath glass surfaces to transfer heat directly to your cookware, making them energy efficient and simple to clean. They are quick to heat up and offer precise temperature control, making them ideal for all types of cookware. Some models have residual heat indicators to warn you if your glass surface is still warm.

Induction hobs work by creating a magnetic field between the element and the pan, allowing heat to be generated only when it is needed. They are much faster to warm up than gas or sealed plate hobs, and offer excellent energy efficiency, with no waste of heat from the rest of the hob.

Gas hobs are the more traditional option that is preferred by professional chefs. They are quick to heat up and provide instant heat control, making them suitable for a range of cooking methods. They are also cost-effective and can be used in most pans. They can be difficult to clean however, due to the fact that the grates and burners are susceptible to having crevices and nooks in which dirt could hide.

Solid plate hobs are strong and durable, providing an excellent heat distribution for use in everyday life. They are generally less expensive than gas or induction hobs and ovens and are ideal if you are limited in space. Some of them can be used with the bottled LPG and are suitable for most types of pans. They take longer to cool down and heat and are not suitable for simmering. Many of the modern hobs that we offer come with child locks and a range of safety features that are enhanced for extra security.