Types of Hobs

A hob and oven (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans with flame or electricity. There are a variety of hobs, and you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs have a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs offer modern and sleek design 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 wiped away. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you are cooking something that requires a quick decrease or an increase in the heat.

Electric hobs are made of an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through rotary knobs. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature to increase the temperature of a single area. Ceramic hobs Oven also have a very high rate of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch even after being shut off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a place that is far from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.

This kind of hob is able to be used on a variety of worktops such as laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be an excellent option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. But, as with all appliances, they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, and we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.

The drawback of 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 is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognise it and will not heat 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 with gas have a sleek and modern design. While they can cost more than electric ones and require professional installation, they often require 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 stove is ideal for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they tend to accumulate grease and residue.

A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. It also has the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.

This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob features an inner flame that doubles to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also features a handy power indicator that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, including the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.

Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you need to press the controls nine times to reach the highest heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.

This Neff model is one of the best hobs uk gas-on-glass hobs available at an affordable price. It's not going to win any design prizes, but it will serve its purpose and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They're not just sleek and stylish, they are they are also more efficient, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. They're made with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature that allows you to increase the heat of your hob for a short period 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 gas stoves. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to function and can be costly to set up.

Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are another great option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much easier to clean than standard tempered glass. Many of these hobs have an "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the temperature.

While gas hobs remain a popular option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to cool down and warm down and their flame can be difficult to manage. In contrast electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.

For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can even find electric stoves 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's important to note that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're not suitable for those with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

Copper coils run an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob and oven. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob uk the coils generate magnetic fields that heat the pan directly instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction ovens hobs are efficient in energy use, since they don't squander heat.

There are a myriad of models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone identified by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously in one flex space. Some of these premium models have the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar at the middle to select the desired heat level, left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for certain 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 also more efficient in the long term. They can heat faster and have a smaller area for heating which could reduce 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 home. However, they do produce magnetic forces that can cause interference with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.

Like all electric hobs, you'll have to clean your electric hob frequently, since food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or you can invest in a specialist product to help keep your hob clean and in good shape for longer. You should never use the abrasive cleaning products or the scratching pads on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.