Types of Hobs

A hob, which is also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are several different types of hobs, and you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.

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

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs offer an elegant and contemporary look that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can easily be cleaned when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to lower your electric bill. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow in changing temperatures, which can be frustrating if you're cooking something that requires an instant reduction or an increase in heat.

Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be controlled individually using rotary knobs and notched to the power level you require. You can even use the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a very high rate of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch even after being shut off. This can be a problem if you have children, so it's advisable to only install them in a place that is well away from flammable objects and not within reach of little ones.

This kind of hob is able to be mounted on a variety of worktops including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also fairly affordable and is a great option if you're trying to replace your old hobs without spending a lot of money. Like any appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs will be safe to use.

The downside to this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that's either exactly the same size as the element, or that can fit comfortably into each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element will not recognise it and will not begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent results in cooking and makes the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs are sleek and contemporary in look. Although they may cost more than electric ones and require professional installation, they often 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 type of hob also is ideal for cooks who wish to limit the amount of heat is produced. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and may need to be cleaned more frequently, as the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of slipping off.

A great example of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs to create an elegant and sophisticated look. speaking of comes with the wok ring that has 4kW for added versatility, plus pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.

This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass with modern cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left of the hob features an inner flame that doubles to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution and accelerates cooking time. It also comes with an indicator for power that lets you control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including the high setting for searing steaks and a low setting for scrambled eggs.

The simple and intuitive controls were liked by our testers, who found them to be very simple to use. A few minor issues are that you must press the controls nine times to reach the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern the burners' actions.

This Neff model is among the best gas-on-glass hobs available at an affordable price. It's not likely to win any design prizes but it'll perform the task and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just over 120 dollars.


Electric hobs

There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern households. Not only do they have an elegant design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functions that are safer, faster and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They're designed with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to scratches or smudges. These hobs also come with a power booster feature which allows you to boost the heat for a short duration.

Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work with them and can be expensive to install.

Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a different option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under the glass, which is flat, similar to a standard gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs have a "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the heat.

While gas hobs remain a popular option for many home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to cool down and warm down and their flame can be difficult to control. On the other hand, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.

For the highest level of modern technology, you can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to meet your needs. It's important to note, however, that these stoves will require the installation of an approved gas safe engineer and require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.

Hobs with induction

Copper coils create an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields which direct heat the pan, rather than heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from an energy point of view, as there's no residual heat being wasted.

There are many models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone labelled by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves with up to six zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked on one flex area. Some of these premium models feature a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are believed to be more efficient over the long term since they heat up faster and use a smaller space to heat up, which can help lower your energy costs. They also cool down quicker and feature a safer design with no hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with young children or elderly persons living in the house. However, they do produce an electric force that could affect certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.

Like all electric hobs you'll need to keep your electric hob clean regularly as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or opt for a specialist product to keep your stove clean and in good shape for a longer time. Just be sure to never use abrasive cleaners or pads for scouring on your induction hob as they can scratch the surface.