Types of Hobs

A hob, also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric power or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs available, so you can pick one that fits your style and kitchen.

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

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look which can greatly enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs uk is that they can be slow in changing temperatures and can be a hassle if you're cooking something that requires an instant reduction or an increase in heat.

Electric hobs utilize a solid plate that is heated by electric elements under. The elements can be controlled individually using rotary knobs and notched up to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch even after being shut off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a place that is away from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.

This type of hob can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.

A downside of this type of hob is that it's very sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that is either the exact size as the element or that will fit comfortably inside each of the heating zones on the best hob uk. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, it will not recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and make the hob less energy efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer modern, sleek design. They are more expensive than electric hobs, and may require professional installations. However they are also more efficient in heating as a full pot of water can typically boil in less than four minutes. This type of hob also is ideal for cooks who wish to control the amount of heat that is generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to build up grease and other residue.

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

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings on the left of the hob has the double inner flame to improve even heat distribution, which in turn increases cooking time. It also features a handy power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including the highest setting for searing a steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.

Our test participants also liked the controls because they were simple and intuitive. Some minor drawbacks are that you need to press the controls nine more times to reach the highest heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.

Some of the top gas-on-glass hobs uk are available at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. While it's not going to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen at just 120 pounds.

Electric hobs

There are a variety of electric best hobs uk that are perfect for modern homes. They not only offer an elegant design that fits into the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide modern technology that is safer, more efficient and energy-efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most well-known electric hobs is a ceramic hob. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and feature an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature which allows you to boost your heat for a short period of time.

Induction hobs are another electric hob perfect for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and have precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to function and are costly to set up.

Gas on glass hobs are a great alternative for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it comes with an oven that is surrounded by a layer of flat glass. However it's heatproof and shatterproof, so it's easier to clean than standard glass that's tempered. Many of these hobs also come with a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is heated.

While gas hobs are still an option that is popular with home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult 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 more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier 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, providing you with the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. However, it's important to remember that these hobs must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

On the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils which run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob the coils create magnetic fields which directly heat the pan instead of heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy point of view, as there's no residual heat being wasted.

There are a variety of models of induction hobs that range from basic ones that have a single cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones, allowing you to cook several pots simultaneously in one flexible zone. Some of these models come with a touch slider control that resembles to the way you operate an iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired heat level left to right increases the heat and right to left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings for certain food types or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are believed to be more efficient over the long term since they heat up quicker and use a smaller space to heat up which could help you save on energy bills. They cool faster and also are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families with children or elderly residents. However, they do produce an electric force that could affect certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore important to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.

Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean, since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can employ a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a specialist one to keep your stove in good shape and shiny for a longer time. Be sure to not use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads to scour your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.