Types of Hobs

A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, so you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs feature flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and come with five or four zones for heating 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 enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned when spills or splatters happen. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing temperature settings. This can be a problem when you need to cook something that requires quick decrease or an increase in the heat.

Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements under. Best ovens can be individually controlled using rotary knobs and notched to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a certain area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high rate of heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch after being shut off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a location that is far from items that could ignite and out of reach of children.

The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety of worktops, including laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be a great option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.

This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that's exactly the same size as the element, or that can fit comfortably into the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, it will not recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in design. They are more expensive than electric hobs, and may require professional installations. However they heat up faster and a full pot of water can often boil in less than 4 minutes. This type of stove works well for cooks who want to control how much heat is generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to accumulate grease and residue.

This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners that are matte black with metal control knobs for a stylish, sophisticated appearance. It also comes with the wok ring that has 4kW for added versatility, plus 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 rings to the left of the hob offers a double inner flame to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution which increases cooking time. It also features a handy power level indicator that allows you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine preset settings, including the highest setting for sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled eggs.

Our test subjects also appreciated the controls as they were easy to use and intuitive. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you need to press the controls a further nine times before reaching the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to discern the burners' actions.

Some of the best gas-on-glass hobs are available for affordable prices, such as this Neff model. It's not going win any design awards but it'll do the job and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just over PS120.


Electric hobs

Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. They are not only elegant and stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also often equipped with a power boost function, which allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a short period of time.

Induction hobs are another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. However they require a certain kind of pan to work and can be expensive to set up.

Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a different option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath an unidirectional glass layer similar to a conventional gas stove. However the glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much easier to clean than the typical glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs come with the "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the heat.

While gas hobs remain an option that is popular with home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and take a long time to warm up and cool down. Electric hobs on the other side, are more efficient in energy use and easy to clean.

For the ultimate in modern technology, you can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, providing you with the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. It's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a 6mm cable for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers since the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Under the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that generate an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a hob, the coils create magnetic fields that create heat directly inside the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). Induction hobs are efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't use any heat.

There are a variety of models of induction hobs starting from basic ones with one cooking zone that is that is marked with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones, allowing you to cook several pots simultaneously on one flexible zone. Certain models come with the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's 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. Certain models have preset settings that are specific to recipes or food types, which can save time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are believed to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and use a smaller space to heat up, which can help reduce your energy bills. They also cool faster and have a more secure design without hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people living in the home. However, they do generate magnetic forces that can interfere with certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.

Like all electric hobs, you will have to clean your electric hob regularly, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaner or invest in a professional one to keep your oven in good shape and shiny for longer. Make sure you don't use scrubbers or pads for scouring on your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.