Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans by using electric or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, so you can pick one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and have five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern design. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can quickly be wiped down in the event of spills or splatters. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to change the temperature which can be a problem when cooking something that requires immediate reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs use plates that are heated by electric elements beneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through rotary knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature to increase the temperature of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch after being turned off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a place that is safe from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops such as laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be an excellent option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a lot. As with all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure your new hobs will be safe to use.
The drawback of 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 either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element will not recognise it and will not begin to heat up the base of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern look. They are more expensive than electric models, and require professional installation. However, they heat up faster and the water in a full pot can often boil in less than 4 minutes. This kind of stove is also a great choice for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat being produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they tend to accumulate grease and residue.
A fantastic example of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring is 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass with modern cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob offers the double inner flame to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also features an easy-to-read power indicator that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, such as a high setting to sear steaks and a low one for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were loved by our test subjects who found them to be very simple to use. A few minor drawbacks are that you must physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest temperature, and that it can be difficult to see the status of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs can be found at an affordable price like this Neff model. It's not going win any design awards, but it will serve its purpose and be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just over PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. They are not only sleek and stylish, they are also faster, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most well-known electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. 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.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan, and could be expensive to put in.
Gas on glass hobs are a great alternative for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it has an oven that is surrounded by the glass is a flat layer. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempered glass. A majority of these hobs come with a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the oven is hot.
Gas hobs remain a preferred choice for a lot of home cooks however they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and can take some time to get hot and cool off. On the other hand, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the highest level of modern efficiency You can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, providing you with the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. It is important to remember that these hobs require installation by an approved gas safe engineer. They also require an appropriate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people who have pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Induction hobs
On the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that run an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a hob the coils produce 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 very efficient from an energy point of view, as there's no residual heat being wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone labelled by rings to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves with up to six zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously in one flex space. ovensandhobs.uk of these premium models have a touch slider control that resembles to the way you use on an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar located in the middle to select the desired temperature, left to right increases the heat and right to left decreases it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food types which can save you time and effort 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 space which can lower your energy costs. They cool quicker and also have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with elderly or children. They do, however, produce magnetic forces that can affect certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
Like all electric hobs you'll have to keep your induction hob clean because food and debris could accumulate over time. You can either make use of a basic oven cleaner or invest in a professional one to keep your oven in good condition and shining for a longer time. You should never use the abrasive cleaning products or the scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.