Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using flames or electricity. There are a variety of hobs, and you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look which can greatly enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and are able to be wiped down in the event of spills or splatters. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to change the temperature which can be a problem if you're cooking something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs are comprised of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be individually controlled with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even when they've been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge when you have children, so it's recommended to install them in a location that is away from any flammable items and not within reach of young children.
This kind of hob is able to be installed on a variety worktops including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be an excellent option if you want to replace your stove without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they do need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. It is necessary to purchase cookware that's the exact size as the element, or that can fit comfortably into each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it won't recognize it and won't begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in appearance. Although they may be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a full pan of water to boil within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a great choice for cooks who like to limit the amount of heat generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and will likely require cleaning more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to remain rather than slide off.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs to give it a chic, sophisticated look. It also has a 4kW wok ring to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the gas hob has a double inner burner to increase the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also comes with a handy power level indicator that assists in regulating the exact temperature of your flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, including the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled eggs.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls as they were easy to use and intuitive. A few minor drawbacks are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest heating level and it may be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best gas on glass hobs are available at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. It's not going win any design prizes, but it will do the job and can be a great addition to your kitchen for just more than PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. They not only offer an elegant design that blends in with the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster feature which allows you to boost the heat for a short duration.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work and can be expensive to install.
Glass hobs with gas are a different option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath the glass, which is flat, like a traditional gas stove. However, this glass is heatproof and shatterproof, so it's easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs come with a "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the temperature.
Gas hobs are a popular choice for a lot of home cooks, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and take some time to get hot and cool off. On the other hand electric hobs are energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to meet your needs. It is important to note that these hobs need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require an appropriate cable of 6mm for your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
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 produce magnetic fields which heat the pan directly rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from an energy perspective since there's no heat being wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction hobs starting from basic models that have one cooking zone that is marked by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones and allow the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously in one flex zone. Certain models come with a touch-slider control that looks very similar to how you operate on an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger read more across the power bar located in the middle to select the desired heat level left to right boosts heat and right to left decreases it. Some models have preset settings for specific food items or recipes that can cut down time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are more energy efficient in the long term. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller area for heating which could reduce the cost of energy. They also cool faster and have a more secure design without hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with children or elderly people who live in the house. However, they do generate magnetic forces that can affect certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll have to clean your electric hob frequently, since food and debris can accumulate over time. You can employ a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a specialist one to keep your oven in good condition and shiny for longer. Be sure to not use abrasive cleaners or pads for scouring on your induction cooker as they can scratch the surface.