Types of Hobs

A hob, also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electric power or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can choose the one that best fits your kitchen and style.

Induction hobs have flat ceramic surfaces and four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs have modern and sleek design that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, which means spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing temperature settings. This can be a problem when you have to cook something that requires a rapid reduction or increase of temperature.

Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted via rotating knobs. You can also use the boost feature to increase the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch after being shut off. This can be a problem when you have children, so it's advisable to install them in an area that is well away from flammable objects and not within reach of little ones.

The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be put in in a variety of worktops such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and can be a great option for those looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.

This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. It is essential to purchase cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, the element will not recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the hob less energy efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer modern, sleek design. While they can be more expensive than electric ones and require professional installation, they typically take less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to come to a boil within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is a great choice for cooks who wish to limit the amount of heat is generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and may require cleaning more often, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stick rather than slide off.

This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant look. It also comes with a 4kW wok ring for additional versatility, as well as dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easy to clean.

This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass with modern cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the gas hob provides two burners inside to increase the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also has an easy-to-read power level indicator that allows you to control the exact temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including the high setting for searing steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.


Our test subjects also appreciated the controls, as they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you need to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest heating level, and that it can be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.

Some of the best gas-on-glass hobs are available for affordable prices, such as this Neff model. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is an excellent addition to your kitchen for just over 120 pounds.

Electric hobs

Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, but also faster, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They're made with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to smudges and scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost function, which allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a short amount of time.

Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to work and can be expensive to set up.

ovens -on-glass hob is another option that is a good choice for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under a flat glass layer, similar to a conventional gas stove. However, this glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much easier to clean than standard tempered glass. Many of these hobs are equipped with a "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.

Gas hobs remain a popular choice for many home chefs however they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take a while to warm up and cool down and their flame can be difficult to manage. Electric hobs on the other hand, are more efficient in energy use and are easier to clean.

To achieve the highest level of modern technology, you can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, allowing you the flexibility you need to fit your lifestyle. It is important to remember that these hobs require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.

Hobs with induction

Under the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a hob the coils produce magnetic fields that create heat directly inside the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from a energy standpoint because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.

There are many different models of induction hob that range from basic models that have one cooking zone that is marked by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow the cooking of multiple pots at once on a flex zone. Certain models have a touch slider control that resembles to the way you use an iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more energy efficient over the long run. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller heating area which could reduce the cost of energy. They also cool down faster and have a safer design with no hot plates, making them ideal for families with children or older people living in the home. They do, however, produce magnetic forces that can 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 have to clean your electric hob regularly, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your hob in good condition and shining for longer. You should never use any abrasive cleaning product or a scouring pad on your stove since they could scratch the surface.