Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can choose the one that best suits your kitchen and design.
Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek appearance. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you need to cook something that requires a quick reduction or increase of temperature.
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 rotating knobs. You can even utilize the boost feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even after they've been shut off, they'll be hot to the touch. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a location that is safe from flammable items and away from children's reach.
This type of hob can be installed on a variety worktops such as laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and is a great option if you want to replace your stove without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we would recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need to buy cookware that's the exact same size as the element, or that is able to fit in each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it will not recognize it and will not begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent results in cooking and makes the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas-powered glass hobs have a sleek, modern aesthetic. They can be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating as an entire pot of water can often boil within less than four minutes. This type of stove works well for cooks who want to control how much heat is produced. However, it must be observed that a glass-based hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and will likely need to be cleaned more often, as the build-up of grease and residue tends to remain rather than slide off.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners finished in matt black with metal control knobs to give it a chic, sophisticated appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left side of the gas hob has an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and increase the speed of cooking. It also features an indicator for power that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including a high setting for searing steaks and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls as they were simple and easy to use. Some minor issues are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest level of heating and it can be difficult to see the status of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is one of the best gas-on-glass hobs that are available at a low cost. It's not likely to win any design prizes however it's going to perform the task and be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just over 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a number of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They are not only elegant and stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. These hobs have sleek glazed finishes, and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature that lets you increase your heat for a short time.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. They are therefore more energy efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work and can be expensive to install.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a great alternative for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. However the glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's easier to clean than standard tempered glass. A lot of these hobs have the "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the temperature.
Gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and can take some time to get hot and cool off. However electric hobs are energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
There are even electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, providing you with the flexibility you need to meet your needs. It's important to note, however, that these hobs will require installation by an approved gas safe engineer. They also require a separate cable of 6mm for your kitchen. ovens uk are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils produce magnetic fields which heat the pan directly instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from an energy standpoint because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are many models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone marked by rings up to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to 6 zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked within a flex area. Some of these models come with a touch slider control that resembles to how you operate on an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar at the middle to choose the desired temperature left to right increases heat and right-to-left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings for certain recipes or food types which can help you save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more efficient in the long run. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller heating area which could reduce your energy costs. They cool faster and are more secure without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with elderly or children. However, they do generate magnetic forces that can interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
Like 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 cleaner or invest in a professional one to keep your hob in good shape and shiny for a longer time. It is not recommended to use the abrasive cleaning products or the scouring pad on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.