Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans by using electric power or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can pick the one that is
best hob suited to your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic cooking surface and have five or
ovens four 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. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your energy bills. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow in changing the temperature and can be a hassle when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs utilize a solid plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. These elements can be individually controlled with rotary knobs, and then tacked to the power level you require. You can also use the 'boost' feature in order to increase the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even when they've been shut off, they will still be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge if you have children, so it's advisable to only install them in a place that is away from flammable objects and out of reach of little ones.
This type of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is a great option if you're trying to replace your old hobs without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
The downside to this kind of hob is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You will need to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, the element won't recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern look. Although they may cost more than electric ones and require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to be boiling in four minutes or less. This type of hob also works well for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is generated. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.
A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs that create a a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also includes an oblong wok ring with 4kW for added versatility, plus pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings that are located to the left of the
hob offers an inner flame that doubles to promote improvement in even heat distribution which increases cooking time. It also has an easy-to-read power indicator that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including a high setting for searing steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our testers also liked the controls because they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor drawbacks are that you need to press the controls nine more times to reach 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 available at an affordable price. While it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen at just 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a number of electric hobs that are ideal for modern households. They not only offer an elegant design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with advanced functionality that is safer, quicker and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. These
ovens hobs have an elegant glazed finish and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost function that allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a short amount of time.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and
ovens gas stoves. 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 a second option that's an excellent choice for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under an unidirectional glass layer similar to a conventional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempered glass. A lot of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the oven is hot.
While gas hobs are still an option that is popular with home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to heat up and cool down and
ovens their flame can be difficult to manage. Electric hobs, on other hand, are more efficient in energy use and easy to clean.
To achieve the highest level of modern technology You can also find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, providing you with the flexibility needed to meet your needs. It is important to note that these stoves will need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They're not suitable for people who have pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils run an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils produce magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from an energy point of view because there's no leftover heat being wasted.
There are many models of induction stoves, from the basic ones with a single zone identified by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones and allow for multiple pots to cook simultaneously within a flex area. Some of these models have the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Certain models have preset settings that are specific to food types or recipes which can help you 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 area for heating which can reduce your energy costs. They cool quicker, and they are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families that have children or elderly residents.
