Types of Hobs

A hob, also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using flames or electricity. There are many different types of hobs. You can choose the one that best suits your kitchen and design.

Induction ovens hobs come with a flat ceramic cooking surface and include five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and stylish, and easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic ovens hobs have an elegant and contemporary look that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow to change temperature settings and can be a hassle when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in temperature.

Electric hobs are comprised of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. 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 boost the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even when they have been turned off, they'll be hot to the touch. This could be a problem when you have children, so it's best to only install them in an area that is away from flammable objects and not within reach of young children.

The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be set up on a variety worktops, such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and is a great option if you want to replace your old stoves without spending a large amount of money. However, like all appliances they must be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.

The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's very sensitive to pan size and shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that's the exact same dimensions as the element or that is able to fit in the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, it 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 an elegant, modern look. While they cost more than electric ones and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to be boiling in four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a great choice for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat being generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and may need to be cleaned more frequently, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to remain instead of sliding off.

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

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is an attractive slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left of the gas hob provides an inner burner that doubles to improve heat distribution and increase the speed of cooking. It also has an excellent power level indicator that allows you to control the exact temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.

Our testers also liked the controls because they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor drawbacks are that you must press the controls a further nine times to reach the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.

Some of the best ovens and hobs uk gas on glass hobs can be found at an affordable price, such as this Neff model. While it's not going to be a winner of any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and Hobs Oven can be an excellent addition to your kitchen at just PS120.

Electric hobs

There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. Not only do they have an elegant design that blends in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer modern technology that is safer, faster and more efficient in energy use than their predecessors.

One of the most well-known electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They're constructed with a sleek glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to smudges or scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster function that lets you increase the heat for a short time.

Induction hobs are another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and could be expensive to put in.

A gas on glass hob is a different option that's a great choice for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it has a burner beneath an underlying layer of flat glass. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much simpler to clean than the typical tempered glass. Many of these hobs come with an "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the temperature.

Although gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes an extended time to warm up and cool down. Electric hobs, on the other hand are more efficient in energy use and are easier to clean.

For the ultimate in modern technology You can also find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, allowing you the flexibility you need to meet your needs. But, it's important to note that these hobs oven and hob (blogs.cornell.edu) need to be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Copper coils create an alternating electric current 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 rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy standpoint since there's no heat being wasted.

There are a variety of models of induction stoves, from the basic ones with a single zone identified by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these premium models have the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired temperature left to right increases heat and right to left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings for specific food types or recipes which can help you save time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more efficient in the long term. They can heat faster and have a smaller area for heating which could reduce your energy bills. They cool quicker and are safer than traditional hobs that do not have 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 therefore it is essential to center your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs uk, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean regularly as food and debris can build up over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to help keep your hob shiny and in good condition for longer. It is not recommended to use the abrasive cleaning products or the scratching pads on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.