Types of Hobs

A hob, also referred to as stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are several different types of hobs, and you can pick one that is best ovens suited to your preferences 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 can give your kitchen a modern and sleek look. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, which means spills ovens and hobs uk splatters can be quickly wiped away. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to adjust the temperature which can be a problem when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in temperature.

Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be individually adjusted by rotating knobs. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a certain zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even when they are turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. This can be a problem when you have children, so it's best ovens and hobs uk to install them in an area which is far from objects that are flammable and not within reach of little ones.

This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also quite affordable and can be a great option if you want to replace your old stoves without spending a large amount of money. As with all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.

The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's very sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that is either the exact size as the element, or that can fit comfortably into each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it will not recognise it and won't begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer modern, sleek design. While they cost more 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 come to a boil within 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 prone to damage and require frequent cleaning as 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 that create a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. It also includes an oblong wok ring with 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.

This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left of the hob offers an inner flame that doubles to improve even heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also features a handy power level indicator, which helps to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including a high setting to sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.

The simple and easy-to-use controls were also appreciated by our testers, who found them to be very easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you have to press the controls a further nine times to reach the highest heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.

A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available for affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not going win any design awards however it's going to do the job and can be an excellent option for your kitchen at just above 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They not only offer an elegant design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost function which lets you increase the heat of your cooker for a short period of time.

Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric and gas plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan, and could be expensive to put in.

Glass hobs with gas are a different option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it comes with an oven that is surrounded by an underlying layer of flat glass. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempered glass. A majority of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator' that warns you when the oven is hot.

Gas hobs remain a preferred option for many home cooks however they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes an extended time to heat up and cool off. Electric hobs, on other hand are more energy efficient and easier to clean.

For the highest level of modern technology You can also find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, allowing you the flexibility needed to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to note that these stoves will require the installation of an approved gas safe engineer and will require a separate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Copper coils create an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a stove, the coils produce magnetic fields that create heat directly inside the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are energy efficient, as they don't use any heat.

There are a myriad of models of induction stoves starting with the basic models with a single zone identified by rings up to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked within a flex area. Some of these premium models come with a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired temperature left to right boosts heat and right to left decreases it. Some models have preset settings that are specific to food items or recipes, which can save 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 can lower your energy costs. They cool down faster and are more secure without hot plates. This makes them ideal for families that have elderly or children. However, they create magnetic fields that can cause interference with medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.

As with all electric hobs you will need to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your stove clean and in good shape for a longer time. You should never use the abrasive cleaning products or the a scouring pad on your stove since they could scratch the surface.