Types of Hobs

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

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

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and are able to be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you need to cook something that requires quick decrease or an increase in heat.

Electric hobs use plates that are heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be adjusted individually through the rotary knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even when they are turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge when you have children, so it's recommended to only install them in a location which is far from flammable objects and away from little ones.

The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be put in in a variety of worktops such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It's also quite affordable and is a great option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a large amount of money. But, as with all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains, so we would recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.

The downside to this kind of hob is that it's very sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that's either the exact dimensions as the element or that can fit comfortably into each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware doesn't match the element, it won't recognize it and won't start to heat the base of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs made of gas have a sleek and modern design. They can be more expensive than electric models, and could require professional installation. However they heat up faster as a full pot of water will typically boil in less than four minutes. This type of hob also works well for cooks who need to control how much heat is generated. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to build up grease and other residue.

A fantastic example of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. It also includes the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easier to keep clean.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the hob has a double inner flame to improve even heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also features an easy-to-read power level indicator that helps to regulate click here the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine preset settings, including a high setting for searing steak and an option for scrambled eggs.

Its simple yet intuitive controls were appreciated by our testers who found them to be very simple to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you have to press the controls nine times to reach the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see what the burners are doing.

Some of the best gas-on-glass hobs are available at an affordable price, such as this Neff model. While it's not going to win any design awards, it does the job well and is a fantastic addition to your kitchen for less than 120 pounds.

Electric hobs

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

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature which lets you increase the heat of your cooker for a brief period of time.

Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a specific kind of pan and can be costly to set up.

A gas on glass hob is another option that's an excellent choice for modern homes. It features a burner beneath the glass, which is flat, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempering glass. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the hob is hot.

Gas hobs are a popular choice for many home chefs however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes some time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs on the other hand are more energy efficient and are easier to clean.

There are electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you can adjust your cooking to suit your lifestyle. But, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

Copper coils create an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that create heat directly in the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely energy efficient, as they don't squander heat.

There are a variety of models of induction hob that range from basic models that have one cooking zone that is that is marked with rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs that can have up to six zones, allowing you to cook several pots at once on a Flex zone. Some of these models come with a touch-slider control that resembles to the way you use an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired heat level left to right increases heat and right to left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings for certain food types or recipes, 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 can heat faster and have a smaller heating space which can lower the cost of energy. They cool quicker and also are more secure without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with elderly or children. However, they create a magnetic field which could affect medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean regularly as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can employ a standard oven cleaning product or purchase a specialist one to keep your oven in good shape and shiny for a longer time. Be sure to not use abrasive cleaners or pads for scouring on your induction hob as they could scratch the surface.