Types of Hobs

A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans by using electricity or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs oven available, so you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs have a sleek and modern look that can really enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can help reduce your electricity bills. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to change the temperature, which can be frustrating when cooking food that requires immediate reduction or increase in heat.

Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The elements can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked to the power level you require. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature in order to boost the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch after being shut off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a place that is safe from flammable items and out of reach of children.

This type of hob can be used on a variety of worktops, including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be a great option for hobs Oven those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a large amount of money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we suggest hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.

This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size 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 doesn't fit, then the element will not recognise it and won't begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the hob less energy efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for an elegant, modern look. While they can be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation, they usually require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to come to a boil within four minutes or less. This kind of hob works well for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is produced. However, it should be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and will likely require cleaning more frequently, as the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface rather than slide off.

This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal to give it a chic, sophisticated finish. It also comes with the wok ring that has 4kW for added versatility, plus pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.

This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left of the hob and oven offers a double inner flame to improve even heat distribution which increases cooking time. It also has a handy power indicator that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing steaks and a low setting for scrambled eggs.

Its simple yet easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them be extremely easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you have to press the controls a further nine times to reach the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see what the burners are doing.

A few of the top gas on glass hobs oven are available for an affordable price like this Neff model. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well and is a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just over PS120.

Electric hobs

Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. They're not just sleek and stylish, they are also faster, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob and oven. They're constructed with a sleek glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges or scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost feature which lets you increase the heat of your cooker for a short amount of time.

Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate best hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and can be costly to install.

A gas on glass hob is another option that's an excellent option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under an unidirectional glass layer similar to a conventional gas stove. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempering glass. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is heated.

While gas hobs are still a popular option for many home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes some time to warm up and cool down. Electric hobs, on other hand are more efficient in energy and easier to clean.

You can even find electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to adapt to your lifestyle. But, it's important to remember that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that generate an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, instead of heating the surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy point of view because there's no leftover heat being wasted.

There are a variety of models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone identified by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that have up to 6 zones and allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously in one flex space. Certain models come with the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are considered to be more efficient over the long term as they heat up much quicker and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help you save on energy bills. They also cool faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or elderly people who live in the house. They do, however, generate an electric force that could affect certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.

As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can make use of a basic oven cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your oven in good condition and shiny for longer. You should never use any abrasive cleaning product or scratching pads on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.