Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove tops in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electricity or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic surface and either four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer an elegant and contemporary look which can greatly enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, which means spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to reduce your energy bills. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing temperature settings, which can be frustrating when cooking food that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted by rotary knobs. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge when you have children, so it's recommended to place them in a place which is far from any flammable items and not within reach of children.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great option for those trying to replace your old hobs without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they do need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that's either exactly the same dimensions as the element or that is able to fit in each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, it won't recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in appearance. While they can be more expensive than electric ones and require professional installation, they usually require less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to boil within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a good choice for cooks who like to regulate the amount of heat being generated. However, it should be observed that a glass-based hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and may need to be cleaned more often, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of sliding off.
One of the best examples of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also includes a 4kW wok ring to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines an attractive slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings that are located to the left of the hob offers the double inner flame to improve even heat distribution which speeds up cooking times. It also has an easy-to-read power level indicator, which allows you to control the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were also well appreciated by our testers who found them to be very easy to use. A few minor drawbacks include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest temperature, and that it can be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas on glass hobs can be found at affordable prices like this Neff model. While it's not going to win any design awards, it does the job well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, they are they are also safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic hob. These hobs are designed with a sleek glazed finish, and have a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost feature, which allows you to increase the heat of your hob for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a particular type of pan to function and are costly to set up.
Glass hobs with gas are a great alternative for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it has the burner underneath the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempered glass. A lot of these hobs come with an "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the heat.
Gas hobs remain a preferred option for many home cooks, but 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. Electric hobs, on the other side, are more energy efficient and are easier to clean.
For the highest level of modern efficiency You can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, meaning you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. However, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Under the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils which run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a stove, the coils produce magnetic fields that produce heat directly inside the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy perspective, as there's no residual heat being wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone marked click here by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves with up to six zones and allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously in one flex space. Certain models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models have preset settings that are specific to recipes or food types, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are considered to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and have a smaller surface to heat up which could help reduce your energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a safer design without hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or older people who live in the house. However, they can create a magnetic field which could interfere with some medical devices like pacemakers so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean, because food and debris could build up over time. You can make use of a basic oven cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your hob in good condition and shining for a longer time. Make sure you don't use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads to scour your induction hob since they can scratch the surface.