Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electricity or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can pick the one that best fits your kitchen and your style.
Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic cooking surface and include four or five zones for heating your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide modern and sleek design that can really enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can quickly be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to lower your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you have to cook something that requires a quick reduction or increase of the heat.
Electric hobs utilize plates that are heated by electric elements underneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through rotary knobs. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature in order to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch after being turned off. This can be a challenge when you have children, so it's recommended to install them in a location which is far from objects that are flammable and out of reach of little ones.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable and is an excellent option for those looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. Like all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.
The downside to this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that either matches the element precisely or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match the element, it will not recognize it and won't begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in design. They are more expensive than electric models and require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating - the water in a full pot can often boil within less than four minutes. This type of hob also is a great choice for cooks who want to control how much heat is generated. However, it should be observed that a glass-based hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel ones and will need to be cleaned more frequently, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface rather than slide off.
One of the best examples of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated look. It also includes an oblong wok ring with 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 an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the hob features the double inner flame to ensure uniform heat distribution, which in turn accelerates cooking time. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including the highest setting for searing steaks and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls, as they were simple and intuitive. Some minor drawbacks are that you must press the controls nine more times before reaching the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
This Neff model is one of the top gas-on glass hobs that you can buy at a reasonable price. It's not going win any design awards, but it will perform the task and be a great addition to your kitchen for just above 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. They not only offer an elegant design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functionality that is safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. They're designed with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges and scratches. They also come with a power booster function that allows you to increase the heat for a short duration.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan and could be expensive to put in.
A gas on glass hob is another option that is a good choice for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempered glass. A majority of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is heated.
Although gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take a long time to warm up and cool down. Electric hobs, on the other side, are more efficient in energy use and easy to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can also find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, allowing you the flexibility needed to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to remember that these stoves will require the installation of a registered gas safe engineer. They also require a dedicated cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Under the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that run an electrical current that varies. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields that directly heat the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are very energy efficient, as they don't waste any heat.
There are ovensandhobs of induction hob starting from basic ones with a single cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Some of these premium models come with the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar in the middle to choose the desired heat level left to right increases the heat and right to left reduces 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 more energy efficient in the long run. They can heat faster and have a smaller heating space which could reduce the cost of energy. They also cool faster and have a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with young children or elderly persons living in the home. They do, however, generate an electric force that could cause interference with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean regularly because food and debris could accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to keep your hob sparkling and in good order for longer. Avoid using the abrasive cleaning products or the scouring pad on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.