Types of Hob and Oven

A hob and oven is commonplace in kitchens, and comes in a variety of styles. You can mix different types, such as electric and gas to meet your requirements.

Safety features like the controls for child and position can be added to the hob. These features can prevent children from accidentally changing the temperature setting or touching the hob.

Types

In the heart of every kitchen, the hob is at the center of the room and plays a significant part in how your food comes out. There are many different types of hobs, and which one you pick will depend on the cooking requirements you have.

Gas hobs are a popular option. They are quick to heat up and react instantly to temperature changes. They are a preferred choice for chefs who are professional as they provide precise control. They aren't as easy as other hobs to clean and could require more frequent maintenance.

Electric hobs are a flat ceramic surface with heated elements beneath and can be found in different sizes that have between four and six cooking zones. Each zone includes its own heating element that can be controlled by you. This lets you boil potatoes on one ring whilst cooking sausages in a different. This type of hob can be quicker to heat than gas and provides a child-safe alternative since the cooking area is only heated when you place a pan on it.

Traditional ceramic hobs are a very comfortable alternative to electric and gas and are also a very fashionable option. They have an extremely smooth and durable surface that is easy to clean. However they aren't as quick to respond to temperature changes or cool down as other hobs.

The Domino hob is an alternative to electric and gas hobs. It combines ovens beneath the cooking surface. They can be incorporated into smaller kitchens that have small installation space and are suitable for flats and kitchenettes. They are usually cheaper than standard hobs and are energy efficient, however they can also be fragile and require greater maintenance.

Gas

Gas hobs are cooktops that have burners that are easily integrated into kitchen countertops to give a seamless appearance. Gas hobs are typically powered by LPG or natural gas, however they can also be powered with propane gas. The modern, sleek design can enhance your cooking space that is modular.


A traditional gas stove is fitted with a variety of burners. The majority of them are four, but there can be up to six. These are ignited with either the use of a match or the knob. The flames are then controlled by a set of valves that can be adjusted to set the temperature.

However, the majority of modern gas hobs with built-in gas are equipped with multi-flame burners that allow you to manage the outer and inner rings of each burner to manage your cooking. These kinds of burners provide faster heat up times and are more reliable than older models.

Traditionally, it was important to keep a gas stove on constantly to ensure the burners were always hot and fueled. This was done to avoid accidents, such as accidentally turning on an oven when the stove was still lit with an igniter or a match. Modern cookers have been made with safety in mind as a priority. They are fitted with a fire failure device that shuts off the burners if the pilot light fails.

Gas stoves and hobs must be checked, cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. To do this, you should arrange a visit with a Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able to make sure your appliance is operating properly as well, but they'll offer professional advice and guidance on how to prevent any issues in the future.

Electricity

When it comes to designing your dream kitchen, the worktops, fridge freezer and ovens will always get the most attention, however the quality of your hob is also essential. Whichever type you choose, conventional, induction or gas cooker, the type of hob you select will affect the way your kitchen functions and how easy it is to clean.

Electric hobs have heating elements under a smooth glass surface. The glass surface is typically cleaned with a nonabrasive cleaner. These elements are activated when you turn on the hob and can be notched up to various power levels by turning or pressing on a knob. It may take them some time to get heated up however once they are heated, they tend to provide better and more consistent temperature control. They come with built-in indicators that let you know if a zone is hot or not.

They are available in four to six different sizes and can be notch-up to different power levels. They are ideal for cookware with a flat base, but not for cast iron cookware, as they can overheat. Some models (such as Belling BELCH602T) come with dual rings that allow you to cook sausages and boil water in the same ring. Some models come with a 'boost' feature which concentrates high-powered heat onto one ring to stir fry cooking, searing meat or boiling large pots of water.

Induction hobs differ from regular electric models due to the fact that they use electromagnetic fields instead of conventional gas flames to cook your food. They can achieve precise temperatures faster and are more efficient in energy use. They have a cool to the touch surface as well as flashing indicators that inform you that a ring has been used or is still hot.

Ceramic

Ceramics can be used to create decorative or functional objects. It is made by mixing clay, earthen elements, powders and water to a specific shape, then fired in a very high-temperature oven, also known as a Kiln. Once it's made it can be sprayed with paint-like or decorative materials to give it a more textured and vibrant look.

Ceramic hobs combine form and function to create an exquisite piece of modern kitchen furniture. They work by using radiant heating technology, which passes an electric current through coiled elements hidden beneath the black glass surface of the hob. They generate heat when activated, and this is transferred to your pan by way of an infrared system. You can alter the level of heating by turning the knobs or the touch controls.

Some ceramic hobs come with dual-ring designs, having one smaller and one larger cooking zone, allowing you to choose the ideal size for your pan. You can also purchase hobs with boosters that produce high-powered heat rapidly. This is ideal for cooking food and bringing pans to boil quickly.

Ceramic cooktops are more energy efficient than other kinds of hobs because they take longer to heat up and alter temperatures. best ovens and hobs can also find vented cooktops that incorporate a ventilation system into the ceramic cooktop, ensuring steam, smoke and cooking smells aren't left in your home.

Induction

The heating elements inside hobs with induction are made up of copper wire coils beneath the surface, which create electromagnets that heat the pans that sit on them. The coils stir the free electrons inside the base metal of your pan which then transfers heat evenly to your food. The surface of the stove is never hot, and the cooking zones are automatically shut off when your pan is removed.

Induction hobs are typically more expensive than other types however they're also quicker to heat and consume 30 to 70 percent less energy than ceramic or gas hobs. Induction hobs are also easier to clean because only the inside of the pan are heated, not the surface.

Certain manufacturers have an induction model with additional features, for instance the pause feature, which cuts the energy to your stove when you leave or connect two cooking rings with the same power to provide more flexibility. They are often referred to as FlexInduction hobs. They are more expensive than traditional induction models but they're worth a look when multitasking is important to you.

This induction hob is our top choice. It comes with four large cooking zones as well as a Bridge function and nine power settings, giving you plenty of options for cooks who want to be more adventurous. It did well in our test, with fast heating and accurate control when making pancakes. The hob also has a built-in dishwasher and an automatic pan detection function to make cleaning a lot more simple. There's a small selection of compatible pans, however, and it can't be used to cook using the utensils with a magnetic base. This can be a challenge when you have a lot of non-compatible cookware or only certain pieces are suitable for induction hobs.