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 a variety of hobs. You can choose the one that best fits your kitchen and your style.

Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and stylish, and easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs provide modern and sleek design that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you are cooking something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.

Electric hobs utilize plates that are heated by electric elements underneath. The power of each element can be adjusted via the rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a particular 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. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a place that is safe from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.

The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be put in on a variety worktops such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also quite affordable and can be a great alternative if you are looking to replace your stove without spending a lot. As with all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure your new hobs will be safe to use.

This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that's either the exact same dimensions as the element or that is able to fit in the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it will not recognise it and won't start to heat up 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 sleek and contemporary in design. Best ovens UK are more expensive than electric models, and could require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating - a full pot of water will typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of hob is also a great choice for cooks who like to control the amount of heat being generated. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and will need to be cleaned more often, as the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface rather than slide off.

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 to create an elegant and sophisticated appearance. It also includes a 4kW wok ring for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines a stylish slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the gas hob provides an inner burner that doubles to increase the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also comes with an easy-to-read power level indicator that allows you to control the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including high settings to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled eggs.

Our test participants also liked the controls, as they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor disadvantages are the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest heating level and it can be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that are available at a low cost. It's not going win any design prizes, but it will perform the task and be a great addition to your kitchen at just over 120 pounds.

Electric hobs

There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern homes. They are not only sleek and stylish, but they are also safer, faster, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're designed with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature which lets you increase the temperature of your stove for a short period of time.


Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to work and are costly to install.

A gas on glass hob is a second option that's an excellent option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has the burner underneath an underlying layer of flat glass. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempering glass. A lot of these hobs are equipped with the "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.

Gas hobs remain a popular choice for a lot of home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take some time to warm up and cool down. However electric hobs are efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.

You can even find electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, providing you with the flexibility you need to meet your needs. It is important to remember, however, that these hobs will require installation by an approved gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They're not suitable for those with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.

Hobs with induction

Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils which run an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob the coils generate magnetic fields that create heat directly in the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely efficient from a energy perspective because there's no leftover heat being wasted.

There are a variety of models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone identified by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously in one flex space. Some of these premium models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. best hob can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you 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 can heat faster and have a smaller heating space which can lower your energy bills. They cool quicker, and they have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with children or elderly residents. They do, however, create magnetic forces that can interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.

As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your induction hob regularly, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or you can purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your hob clean and in good shape for a longer time. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or a scouring pad on your stove as they may scratch the surface.