Types of Hobs

A hob, which is also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric power or flames. There are several different types of hobs, so you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic cooking surface and include five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and best ovens and hobs uk fashionable, and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and are able to be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electricity bill. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to change the temperature and can be a hassle when cooking food that requires an instant reduction or increase in temperature.

Electric hobs consist of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through rotary knobs. You can also use the boost feature to increase the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being shut off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in an area that is away from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.

This kind of hob is able to be used on a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great option if you're trying to replace your old hobs without spending a lot of money. Like all appliances, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.

This kind of hob uk is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need cookware that's the exact same size as the element, or that will fit comfortably inside the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, the element won't recognise it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer modern, sleek design. While they cost more than electric ones and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to boil in four minutes or less. This kind of hob works well for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel ones and will likely need to be cleaned more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface rather than slide off.

A fantastic example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines an attractive slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left of the hob has a double inner flame to ensure uniform heat distribution which speeds up cooking times. It also comes with an indicator for power that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including a high setting to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled eggs.

Its simple yet intuitive controls were also well liked by our testers, who found them to be extremely easy to use. Some minor issues are the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest temperature and it can be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.

Some of the best hob uk gas-on-glass hobs are available at affordable prices like this Neff model. While it's unlikely to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen at just 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

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

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost feature, which 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, induction hobs utilize 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 function and can be costly to set up.

A gas on glass hob is another option that's an excellent option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs also have a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.

Gas hobs are a popular choice for many home chefs However, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and take an extended time to get hot and cool off. In contrast electric hobs are efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.

For the highest level of modern technology, you can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. But, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable for your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field could interfere 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 pot is placed on a hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that create heat directly inside the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from a energy standpoint because there's no leftover heat being wasted.

There are many models of induction stoves, from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves with up to 6 zones and allow for multiple pots to cook simultaneously on one flex area. Certain models have an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar in the middle to choose the desired level of heat left to right increases heat and right-to-left decreases it. Some models have preset settings for specific food types or recipes which can help you save time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are thought to be more efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and have a smaller surface to heat up which could help you save on energy bills. They also cool faster and have a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or older people who live in the house. However, they do create a magnetic force that could affect certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.

Like all electric hobs you'll need to keep your electric hob clean regularly since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can either use a standard oven with hob cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shining for longer. You should never use the abrasive cleaning products or the scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.