Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans with flame or electricity. There are a variety of hobs, and you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have a flat ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can easily be cleaned in the event of spills or splatters. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you need to cook something that requires a rapid decrease or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements under. These elements can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the level of power you require. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, and even after they've been shut off, they'll be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge for families with children, so it's advisable to install them in an area that is well away from objects that are flammable and not within reach of young children.
This type of hob can be used on a variety of worktops including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be an excellent alternative if you are looking to replace your stove without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, and 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 will need to purchase cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognise it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs are sleek and contemporary in look. Although they may be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to boil in four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a good choice for cooks who like to regulate the amount of heat produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable 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 has four black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs for a a stylish and
Hobs Uk sophisticated finish. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines a stylish slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left side of the gas hob provides a double inner burner to increase the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that allows you to regulate the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-set settings, like high settings to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled eggs.
Our test participants also liked the controls because they were simple and intuitive. A few minor drawbacks include the fact that you need to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest heating level and it may be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas on glass hobs can be found at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. It's not going win any design prizes but it'll do the job and can be an excellent option for your kitchen at just above 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. Not only do they offer an elegant design that blends in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer modern technology that is safer, quicker and more efficient in energy use than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature that allows you to increase your heat for a short 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. This means they are more energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan, and can be costly to set up.
Gas on glass hobs are another great option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath a flat glass layer, similar to a standard gas stove. However the glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's easier to clean than the typical glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs come with a "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.
While gas hobs remain an option that is popular with home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to warm up and cool down and their flames can be hard to control. On the other hand electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
There are electric stoves that work with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels,
Culinary experience giving you the flexibility needed to fit your lifestyle. It's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated 6mm cable in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for people with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
oven with hob (
link home)
Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils generate magnetic fields which directly heat the pan instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't use any heat.
There are many models of induction stoves, from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone identified by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously within a flex area. Certain models have a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are thought to be more efficient over the long term because they heat up faster and use a smaller space to heat up which could help you save on energy bills. They cool faster and also are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families with elderly or children. However, they can create magnetic fields that can interfere with some medical devices like pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your electric hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris may build up over time.