Leave a Pot on the Hob

The recipe from Nigella's cookbook often suggests that you "leave a pan on the stove" however what exactly does that actually mean? A hob, also known as stovetop or cooktop in British English, can be either electric or gas.

Dual fuel cookers combine gas hobs and an electric oven to provide the best of both. They can be instantaneous in heating, but they are more expensive to operate than single fuel models.

Solid plate hobs

Solid plate hobs are a staple in many homes. They are a great option for those looking to save money. Their design is made of flat metal plates that are heated by using electricity. However, their modest initial cost can cause higher electricity costs in the future because of their inefficient energy use. These hobs require a lot of residual heat and take longer to heat up or cool down.

A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic hob which is more expensive to purchase but is much less expensive to run. Hobs made of ceramic come in different styles including curvy and flat. They can be used with ovens of various sizes and shapes to match any kitchen layout. Additionally, they are easy to clean and blend well into the majority of modern homes.

Induction hobs are the next step since they utilize electromagnetic fields to heat cookware directly. The surface of the hob is cool, which minimizes the risk of burns. It is also safer for children to touch. In addition induction hobs are among the quickest of all types to heat up and cool down.

When choosing which hob to buy it is essential to take into consideration your cooking habits and energy requirements. Solid plate hobs are inexpensive to purchase but inefficient as gas and ceramic hobs are more expensive but more efficient. Induction hobs are a great option, since they combine efficiency with a stylish look.

Gas hobs

The top gas stoves are easy-to-use, stylish and have a long-lasting appearance. They should come with a solid guarantee and be easy-to-clean. They are also required to be compatible with a variety of cookware, and offer instant heat control.


Gas hobs operate by connecting each burner to a gas source, which then ignites the fuel and creates an flame. The flame warms both the air and the pan and allows for precise temperature control. Some models include a visual flame indicator, which makes it easy to know when the burners are turned on or off in glance. Gas hobs also have various sizes of burners as well as automatic ignition and a removable drip pan.

A lot of modern gas hobs come with ceramic or stainless steel top, and some even have a sleek black glass finish. Based on the design of your kitchen there is also the option of selecting vented or open-burner gas cooktops. Open-burner gas stoves don't include an extractor which removes the steam and smoke from the cooking pans.

Open-burner hobs are classic in their design with metal grates and knobs while vented hobs look more contemporary with a flat, glass surface. Some models have an extra-wide pan supports, which are great for large pots and pans.

Gas hobs remain popular despite the increasing popularity of electric hobs like ceramic and induction. This is largely due to consumer preferences and familiarity of gas cooking. However, a variety of government regulations are encouraging the removal of appliances that use fossil fuels to energy-efficient alternatives.

Gas-powered hobs require electrical components to function. It is therefore essential to have them installed by a qualified electrician and carpenter who will ensure that the installation is secure and complies with industry standards. If you are installing a gas-powered hob, your electrician will need to connect a power cable and a gas pipe into your kitchen. In most instances, this is simple and doesn't affect the plumbing or electrical connections.

Ceramic hob s

Along with a sleek, attractive finish ceramic hobs are simple to clean and more efficient in terms of energy consumption than gas. The high-powered heating element is located under the surface of each zone. They then transfer the heat from the glass to the pan over. This helps reduce energy consumption since it only consumes the power needed to heat the pan directly, not the air around it. They are also easy to control and respond quickly to temperature changes.

The flat surface of a ceramic hob is easy to clean, so spills and splatters can be wiped away with a cloth as they cool. It's important to remember that they're not suited to the kitchen that is hot or steamy in hot or humid conditions, as the glass could crack and discolour when it gets too hot.

Some people might be frightened by the fact that ceramic hobs produce some heat underneath the surface however this isn't an issue for most. The majority of models come with cooling fans that manage the heat under the surface and stop it from affecting workspaces or kitchens. They're also insulated and designed to minimise heat transfer between your hob and your kitchen.

Another benefit of ceramic hobs is that they can be used with most kinds of cookware, in contrast to induction hobs that require a specific magnetically conductive pan. However, it's best to avoid using any cookware made from cast iron on a ceramic stove, because it could scratch the surface.

A lot of ceramic hobs come with safety features such as residual heat indicators as well as a lockout function to prevent accidents from happening at home. Some ceramic hobs have the feature of 'overflow prevention which detects when a pot is boiling over and automatically cuts the power to the area it is located to minimize damage. It's equally important to make sure that a ceramic stove is installed correctly and configured with the right cables and breakers. This is something that's best left to a professional electrician and you can be sure that your kitchen appliance is safe and reliable to use.

Hobs with induction

Like their name implies induction hobs have coils under the surface that produce magnetic fields that create heat within the pan or metal object placed on it. They consume less energy than other types of hobs because they are cold until they have a pan on them. They also heat more efficiently since the heat source is through the bottom of the pan, not from the entire cooktop surface.

Induction models are similar to gas hobs in that they come with an control panel where you can select your settings and monitor how much power is being used. They only work with cookware that is compatible with the electromagnetic heating mechanism. This means that it has to be made of ferrous or cast iron. Stainless steel and a few non-stick cookwares work, but make sure you check the label or run a magnet across the base to confirm that your cookware is compatible with induction.

Induction hobs are a popular option for shared student halls or iQ Student accommodation penthouses. They come with sleek LCD displays, and their modern designs blend seamlessly into modern kitchens. Induction hobs are safer than gas stoves with traditional designs because they only heat when a pan is placed over them, and they shut off automatically after the pan is removed.

Induction hobs can be controlled the same manner as an iPhone using a swipe gesture on the slider to set your preferred temperature. There are usually also up and down arrows on the control panel that permit you to adjust the power level, or a dial to precisely control the temperature.

Some models come with a dual flex-zone which lets you join two zones to create a larger area to cook larger pots. Certain models feature an automatic shut-off feature and an indicator of residual heat. Other models also have a timer that can notify you when food is ready. Induction hobs all emit a low-level magnetic field with frequencies in the kilohertz spectrum that can affect certain medical devices like pacemakers, which is why it's crucial to keep them from your body when not in use.