Leave a Pot on the Hob

Nigella's recipe often recommends that you "leave a pan on the hob", but what does this actually mean? A hob, also known as stovetop or cooktop in British English, could be gas or electric.

Dual fuel cookers include gas hobs as well as an electric oven that gives you the best of both worlds. They can be instantaneous in heating, but they are more expensive to run than single fuel models.

Hobs made of solid plate

Solid plate hobs have been an integral part of homes for a long time. Their simple design consists of flat metal plates that are heated by using electricity, making them an affordable option for those on a budget. However, their modest initial price tag can result in higher electricity costs in the future because of their inefficient energy usage. They also require a large amount of residual heat and take longer to cool down and warm down than modern models.

The ceramic hob is a popular alternative to solid-plate hobs. It is more expensive at first however, it is much less expensive in the long term. These hobs are available in a range of styles, such as curving and flat and can be paired with ovens to fit any kitchen layout. They are also easy to clean and blend seamlessly into modern homes.

The next step up is the induction stove, which uses electromagnetic fields to warm your cookware directly. The surface of the hob remains cool, which reduces the chance of burning. It is also safer for children to use it. Additionally induction hobs are among the quickest of all kinds to warm up and cool down.

It is essential to consider the way you cook and your energy needs when you decide on the kind of stove you should purchase. Solid plate hobs may be cheap, but they are not efficient. Ceramic and gas hobs, on the contrary hand, are more expensive but are more efficient. Induction hobs offer an intermediate option, combining efficiency with a stylish design.

Gas hobs

The best gas stoves are user-friendly and stylish, as well as having a durable appearance. They should have a good warranty and be easy to clean. They should also be compatible with a range 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 heats both the air and the pan, allowing for accurate temperature control. Some models come with a visual flame indicator, which makes it easy to see when the burners are on or off at a glance. Other features available on gas hobs include multiple burners in a variety of sizes, automatic ignition and a removable drip tray.

Many modern gas hobs have a stainless steel or ceramic top, and some even have sleek black glass finishes. Depending on the style of your kitchen, there is also the option to choose vented or open-burner gas hobs. Vented hobs have a built-in extractor that takes smoke and steam from cooking pans and lets the heat outside, whereas open-burner gas stoves don't.

Open-burner stoves have an elegant look, with metal grates, knobs and handles, while vented stoves are more contemporary with a flat glass surface. Some models come with extra-wide pan supports, which are great for large pots and pans.

Despite the popularity of electric hobs like ceramic and induction hobs however, there is an enormous user base for gas hobs. Gas cooking is a favorite among people who are familiar with the concept. However, several government regulations are encouraging the removal of fossil fuel-based appliances in favour of energy-efficient alternatives.

Gas-powered hobs all require electrical components to function. It is therefore important to have them installed by a certified electrician and carpenter who will ensure that the installation is secure and complies with industry standards. The electrician you choose to work with will run a power line as well as a gas line into your kitchen, if you're installing a new gas hob. In the majority of instances, this is simple and won't alter your plumbing or electrical connections.

Ceramic hobs

Along with a sleek, attractive finish ceramic hobs are easy to clean and more energy efficient than gas. They work by utilizing high-powered heating elements beneath the surface of each zone. These then transmit the heat through the glass to the pan that is above. This can reduce energy consumption since it only directly heats the pan and not the air around it. They are also easy to control, and react quickly to temperature fluctuations.

Ceramic hobs have a flat, ceramic surface that is easy to clean. Spills and splatters can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth when 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 in the event that it becomes too hot.

Some people may be a bit sceptical about the fact that ceramic cooktops generate some amount of heat underneath the surface, but this isn't an issue for the majority. In fact, the majority of models are designed with integrated cooling fans to help regulate this heat and keep it from affecting your workspace or kitchen. They're also constructed with insulation and are designed to reduce heat transfer between the hob and your kitchen.

Ceramic hobs can also be more versatile than induction hobs that require certain kinds of magnetically conductive cookware. Cast iron cookware shouldn't be used on a ceramic stove because it may scratch the surface.

Many ceramic hobs are equipped with a range of safety features, including residual heat indicators as well as locking functions to prevent accidents in the kitchen. go!! come with a feature called 'overflow prevention that detects when a pot is boiling over and automatically reduces the power to the zone it is in to minimise the risk of damage. It's just as important to make sure that a ceramic stove has been installed correctly and is equipped with the correct cables and breakers. It is best to leave this to a trained electrical engineer, so that you can be certain that your ceramic cooker is safe and reliable.

Hobs with induction

Induction hobs, as their name suggests, have coils under the surface that generate magnetic fields. These fields create heat inside the pan or metal item placed on the hob. They use less power than other types of electric hobs because they are cool until a pan is placed on them, and they are more efficient in heating a pan as the heat generated is generated from the bottom of the pan rather than the entire cooktop surface.

Induction models are like gas hobs in that they come with a control panel on which you can select your settings and see the amount of power being used. However unlike a traditional gas hob they can only be used using cookware that's compatible with their heating mechanism using electromagnetic energy that means it must have a flat, even thick base made from ferrous metal (iron) or cast iron. Stainless steel and a few non-stick pans can work, but you must always verify the label or use a magnet along the base to make sure your cookware is induction compatible.

Induction hobs are a popular option for shared student rooms or penthouses for student accommodation from iQ. They come with sleek LCD displays, and their contemporary aesthetics fit seamlessly into contemporary kitchens. They are safer than gas hobs with traditional designs because they only get hot when a pan is placed on them. They stop automatically when the pan is removed.


Induction hobs operate similarly to an iPhone. A swipe on the slider will set your preferred heat level. Alternatively, there are usually buttons to move up and down on the control panel to adjust the power level, or an adjustable dial that can be touched to control the temperature with precision.

Some models come with a dual flex-zone that allows you to join two zones to create a larger area to cook larger saucepans. Some models have automatic shut-off, an indicator for residual heat and a timer that will inform you when food is ready. Induction hobs all emit an extremely low-level magnetic field at frequencies within the kilohertz band, which can affect some medical equipment such as pacemakers, which is why it's crucial to keep them out of your body when not being used.