Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can pick the one that is best suited to your kitchen and your style.
Induction hobs are equipped with an elongated ceramic surface and either four or five zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer a sleek and modern look which can greatly enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, which means spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you need to cook something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted via rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a certain zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. It is important to put ceramic hobs in an area that is away from flammable items and away from children's reach.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be installed on a variety worktops such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is a great option if you're trying to replace your old hobs, but without spending a lot of money. As with all appliances, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that is exactly the same as the element or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, the element won't recognise it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for an elegant, modern look. While they cost more than electric models and may require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to boil within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a great option for cooks who prefer to limit the amount of heat produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to accumulate grease and sludge.
This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners in matt black, with control knobs made of metal for a stylish, sophisticated look. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the gas hob provides an inner burner that doubles to increase the distribution of heat and increase the speed of cooking. It also comes with a handy power level indicator, which assists in regulating the exact temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including the highest setting for searing a steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls, as they were simple and easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you need to press the controls a further nine times to reach the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern the burners' actions.
A few of the top gas on glass hobs are available for an affordable price, such as this Neff model. It's not going win any design prizes, but it will serve its purpose and be a great addition to your kitchen for just above 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, they are they are also more efficient, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs have sleek glazed finishes, and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost feature that allows you to increase the heat of your hob for a brief period of time.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a particular kind of pan and can be costly to set up.
Gas on glass Hobs oven are a different option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it comes with the burner underneath an underlying layer of flat glass. However it's heatproof and shatterproof, so it's much simpler to clean than standard tempered glass. A lot of these hobs come with an "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.
Although gas hobs are an option for many home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes an extended time to get hot and cool off. On the other hand electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency, you can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. It's important to note, however, that these stoves will require installation by an approved gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils create an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob the coils create magnetic fields that create heat directly within the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely efficient in energy use, since they don't use any heat.
There are many different models of induction hob starting from basic models that have only one cooking zone that is marked with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones, allowing the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Certain models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar in the middle to choose the desired temperature, left to right increases the heat and right-to-left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings that are specific to food items or recipes that can cut down time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are more energy efficient in the long term. They can heat faster and have a smaller heating area which can reduce your energy bills. They cool quicker, and they are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with children or elderly residents. They do, however, generate an electric force that could affect certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger 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 make use of a basic oven cleaning product or purchase a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for longer. Just be sure to never use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads for scouring on your induction hob as they could scratch the surface.