Leave a Pot on the Hob

Nigella's recipes often suggest you leave a pot on the hob but what does that mean? A hob is the British word used to describe a cooktop or stove top and could be electric or gas.

Dual fuel cookers mix gas hobs and an electric oven, giving you the best of both. They can be instantaneous in heating however they are more costly to operate than single fuel models.

Hobs made of solid plates

Solid plate hobs have been a stalwart of homes for a long time. Their basic design comprises flat metal plates that heat by using electricity, which makes them an economical choice for those who are on a tight budget. Their low cost at first can result in higher energy bills in the long run due to their inefficient use. They require a lot of heat that remains and take longer to warm up or cool down.


Ceramic hobs are a popular alternative to solid-plate hobs. It's more expensive initially, but is much cheaper in the long run. Hobs of this type come in a variety of different styles, including flat and curved and are able to be paired with ovens to fit any kitchen layout. Furthermore, they're easy to clean and integrate well into the majority of modern homes.

Induction hobs are the next step as they use electromagnetic fields to heat cookware directly. This means that the surface stays cool, reducing the risk of burns that happen accidentally and making it safer for young youngsters to touch. Additionally induction hobs are among the fastest of all the kinds to warm up and cool down.

It's important to take into account your cooking habits as well as your energy needs when you decide on the kind of stove you should purchase. Solid plate hobs are inexpensive but are inefficient. Gas and ceramic hobs, on the other they are more costly but are more efficient. Induction hobs offer an alternative, combining efficiency with a fashionable design.

Gas hobs

The best gas stoves are user-friendly and stylish, as well as having a durable appearance. They should also have a long-lasting warranty and be easy to clean. They are also required to be compatible with a variety of cookware, and offer instant heat control.

Gas hobs work by connecting each burner to a gas source, which then ignites the fuel and creates a flame. The flame warms both the pan and the air, allowing for accurate temperature control. Some models have a visual flame indicator, making it easy to determine if the burners are turned off or on. Other features available on gas hobs include numerous burners in different sizes, an automatic ignition system and drip tray that is removable.

Modern gas hobs are available with stainless steel or ceramic top. Some have sleek black finishes. You can choose between open-burner and vented hobs according to the design of your kitchen. Open-burner gas stoves do not come with an extractor which removes the steam and smoke out of the cooking pans.

Open-burner stoves have a classic look with metal knobs, grates and handles, while vented stoves are more contemporary with a glass-like surface. click here now come with an extra-wide pan support, which is an advantage for larger pots and pans.

Despite the widespread use of electric hobs, such as ceramic and induction hobs however, there is an enormous customer base for gas hobs. Gas cooking is popular among people who are familiar with gas cooking. However, a number of government regulations are promoting the removal of appliances powered by fossil fuels to make way for more energy-efficient alternatives.

All gas-powered hobs require electrical components to work, so it is important to have your gas cooker installed by a qualified carpenter and electrician who will make sure that the installation is safe and conform to the standards of the industry. If you are installing a gas-powered hob the electrician you choose to work with will need to connect an electrical power cable and a gas pipe into your kitchen. This is usually a simple process that doesn't impact the existing piping or electrical connections.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs are sleek and attractive finish They are easy to clean, and are more efficient than gas. They operate by utilizing powerful heating elements under the surface of each zone. These then transmit the heat through the glass to the pan that is above. This reduces energy waste as it only consumes the power required to heat the pan directly, not the air around it. They are also easy to regulate, and react quickly to temperature fluctuations.

Ceramic hobs feature a flat ceramic surface that is easy to clean. Splatters and spills are easily removed with a damp cloth once they cool. It is important to remember that they are not suitable for a humid or hot kitchen, as the glass can crack and discolour.

Some people might be frightened by the fact that ceramic hobs generate some amount of heat beneath the surface however this isn't a problem to the majority of. Most models have integrated cooling fans that manage the heat below the surface and stop it from affecting kitchens or workspaces. They are also insulated to limit heat transfer from the stove to your kitchen.

Another advantage of ceramic hobs is that they are compatible with all kinds of cookware, in contrast to induction hobs that require a certain type of magnetically conductive pan. Cast iron cookware shouldn't be placed on a ceramic stove because it could scratch the surface.

Many ceramic hobs are equipped with a range of safety features like residual heat indicators, as well as lockout functions to help minimise accidents in the kitchen. Certain ceramic hobs feature the feature of 'overflow prevention which detects when a pot boils over and automatically reduces power to the zone it is located to minimize the risk of damage. Similar to electric cookers in general it is crucial to ensure the ceramic hob is installed and fitted with the correct breakers and cables for complete safety. It's best to leave this to a qualified electrical engineer to be sure that your ceramic hob is safe and reliable.

Induction hobs

Like their name suggests, induction hobs contain coils beneath the surface which generate magnetic fields that generate heat in the pan or in any metal object placed on it. They use less energy than other types of hobs because they are cold until you are surrounded by a pan. They also heat up faster because the heat is generated by the bottom of a pan, not from the entire cooktop's surface.

Induction models are similar to gas hobs because they feature a control panel, where you can choose your settings and see the amount of power being utilized. They can only be used with cookware compatible with the electromagnetic heating mechanism. This means that the cookware must be made of cast iron or ferrous metal. Certain stainless steel and non-stick pans can also be used. However, you must always read the label to make sure that your cookware is compatible with induction.

Induction hobs are a popular choice for shared student halls or iQ Student accommodation penthouses. best ovens and hobs have sleek LCD displays, and their modern design is a perfect fit for modern kitchens. They are safer than gas hobs with traditional designs because they only heat up when they are placed on them, and then they stop automatically when the pan has been removed.

Induction hobs operate similarly to the controls on an iPhone. A swipe on the slider will set your preferred temperature level. There are typically up and down arrows on the control panel that allow you to alter the power level, or a dial to control the temperature precisely.

Along with nine power levels, certain models also have two flex zones, which allows you to connect two zones to create a larger cooking area for larger pots. Some models have automatic shut-off as well as residual heat indicators, and a timer to inform you when food is ready. Induction hobs all emit low-level magnetic fields with frequencies in kilohertz. This could affect medical equipment, such as pacemakers.