Types of Hobs

A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electricity or flames. There are several different types of hobs available, so you can pick one that fits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs feature a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs offer an elegant and contemporary look that can really enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They are fast to heat up and are energy efficient and can lower your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you need to cook something that requires a rapid decrease or an increase in the heat.

Electric hobs are comprised of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through rotary knobs. You can even use the 'boost' feature to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. This could be a problem if you have children, so it's recommended to only install them in a location that is away from objects that are flammable and away from young children.

This type of hob can be used on a variety of worktops including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is a great alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs, but 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 the new hobs are safe to use.

This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match the element, it will not recognize it and won't begin to heat the base of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for a sleek, modern aesthetic. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and could require professional installation. However they heat up faster and the water in a full pot can often boil within less than four minutes. This type of hob also is ideal for cooks who wish to control how much heat is produced. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.

One of the best examples of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. It also comes with a 4kW wok ring for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.

This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass with modern cooking technology. The dual rings on the left of the hob features an inner flame that doubles to ensure uniform heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also features an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-set settings, like the highest setting for sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.

Our test subjects also appreciated the controls because they were simple and intuitive. Some minor issues are the fact that you need to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest level of heating and it may be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is among the best gas-on-glass hobs available at an affordable price. While it's unlikely to win any design awards but it can do the job well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen at just PS120.

Electric hobs

There are many electric hobs that work for modern homes. Not only do they have a sleek design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide modern technology that is safer, quicker and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They're made with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface resistant to scratches or smudges. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature that allows you to increase the heat for a short time.

Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and can be costly to install.

Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it features the burner underneath the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs come with a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the hob is heated.

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

There are electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, meaning you'll have the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. However, it's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a specific 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. Best ovens UK are not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.

Hobs with induction

Copper coils run an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a stove, the coils create magnetic fields that produce 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 a variety of models of an induction hob that range from basic ones that have only one cooking zone marked by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously in one Flex zone. Certain models come with the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired level of heat, left to right boosts heat and right-to-left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings for certain food items or recipes which can help you save time in the kitchen.


Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are considered to be more efficient over the long term as they heat up much faster and have a smaller surface to heat up which could help you save on energy bills. They also cool quicker and feature a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or elderly people living in the house. However, they do produce magnetic forces that can affect certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.

Like all electric hobs you'll have to keep your induction hob clean, because food and debris could accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or you can purchase a specialist cleaner to help keep your hob sparkling and in good order for longer. You should never use the abrasive cleaning products or the scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.