Types of Hobs

A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans by using electricity or flames. There are a variety of hobs available, so you can choose one that is best oven uk suited to your preferences and kitchen.

Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs have modern and sleek design that can really enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to adjust temperatures, which can be frustrating when cooking something that requires immediate reduction or increase in temperature.

Electric hobs consist of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted by rotary knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, and even after they are turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. This could be a problem if you have children, so it's advisable to place them in a location that is away from objects that are flammable and not within reach of little ones.

The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety of worktops such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is an excellent option if you're looking to replace your old hobs without spending a lot of money. Like all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs will be safe to use.

A downside of this type of hob is that it's very sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You'll need to buy cookware that's either the exact dimensions as the element or that will fit comfortably inside the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element will not recognize it and won't begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and will make the hob less energy efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in look. Although they may be more expensive than electric ones and require professional installation, they typically take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This type of stove is ideal for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and sludge.

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

This Bosch gas best hob is another highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left side of the gas hob has a double inner burner to improve heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also has a handy power level indicator, which allows you to control the precise temperature of your flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including the high setting for searing a steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.

Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and intuitive. A few minor issues are that you must press the controls nine times to reach the highest heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.

Some of the top gas on glass hobs are available for an affordable price, such as this Neff model. While it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards, it does the job well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are many electric hobs that work for modern homes. They are not only sleek and stylish, but also faster, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They're designed with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also typically equipped with a power boost function which lets you increase the temperature of your stove for a brief period of time.

Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric and gas plates. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. However they require a certain kind of pan to work and can be expensive to set up.

A gas on glass hob is a different option that's an excellent option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under the glass, which is flat, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempering glass. A lot of these hobs have the "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.

Although gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take some time to heat up and cool off. However electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.

There are electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you'll have the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to remember that these stoves will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer. They also require a dedicated cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

On the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that generate an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils create magnetic fields that directly heat the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are energy efficient, as they don't waste any heat.

There are a myriad 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 with up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked on one flex area. Certain models have a touch slider control that looks very similar to how you operate an iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models have preset settings for specific recipes or food types, which can save time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more efficient in the long run. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller area for heating which can reduce the cost of energy. They also cool quicker and feature a safer design without hot plates, making them ideal for families with children or older people living in the house. They do, however, create a magnetic force that could cause interference with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.

As with all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven and hob cleaner, or you can opt for a specialist product to keep your hob clean and in good shape for a longer time. Avoid using the abrasive cleaning products or the scouring pad on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.