Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans using electricity or flames. There are a variety of hobs, so you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and come with five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have a sleek and modern look that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, which means spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your electricity bills. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing the temperature which can be a problem when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs are comprised of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually by rotary knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch after being shut off. This can be a problem for families with children, so it's advisable to install them in an area which is far from objects that are flammable and not within reach of young children.
This kind of hob is able to be mounted on a variety of worktops such as laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be an excellent alternative if you are looking to replace your old stoves without spending a large amount of money. Like any appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need to buy cookware that either is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match the element, it won't recognize it and won't begin to heat up the base of the pan. This can lead to uneven results in cooking and makes the hob less energy efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs have a sleek and modern appearance. ovens hobs can be more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster and a full pot of water will typically boil in less than four minutes. This type of hob also is a great choice for cooks who need to control how much heat is generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they tend to build up grease and sludge.
A great example of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines an attractive slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left side of the gas hob has a double inner burner to improve heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also features an excellent power level indicator that assists in regulating the precise temperature of your flame. You can select from nine preset settings, including high settings to sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our test participants also liked the controls, as they were simple and easy to use. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest temperature and it can be difficult to see the status of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that you can buy at a reasonable price. Although it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen for less than 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that work for modern households. Not only do they have an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with modern technology that is safer, more efficient and efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. These hobs have a sleek glazed finish, and have a surface that is easy 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 cooker for a brief period of time.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and have precise temperature control. However they require a particular type of pan to function and can be costly to install.
A gas on glass hob is a second option that is a good choice for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it has the burner underneath a layer of flat glass. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs are equipped with a "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.
Gas hobs remain a popular option for many home cooks however they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and can take an extended time to warm up and cool down. On the other hand electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the highest level of modern technology You can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to fit your needs. But, it's important to note that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Under the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that generate an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a stove, the coils create magnetic fields that generate heat directly within the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely efficient in energy use, since they don't squander heat.
There are many models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone labelled by rings up to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves with up to 6 zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously in one flex space. Some of these models have a touch slider control that resembles to the way you operate an iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. oven with hob have preset settings that are specific to recipes or food types that can cut down time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are more efficient in the long term. oven hob are more efficient in heating and have a smaller heating space which can lower your energy bills. They also cool down quicker and feature a safer design without hot plates, making them ideal for families with children or older people living in the house. However, they do produce magnetic fields that could cause interference with medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your electric hob frequently, since food and debris can accumulate over time. You can either use a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Just be sure to never use scrubbers or pads to scour your induction hob as they can scratch the surface.