Leave a Pot on the Hob
Nigella's recipes often suggest you 'leave an oven on however what does this mean? Hob is the British word used to describe a cooktop or stove top and is usually gas or electric.
Dual fuel cookers mix gas hobs and an electric oven, giving you the best of both. They can offer instant heat but are more costly to operate than single fuel models.
Solid plate hobs
Solid plate hobs are an essential in many homes. Their basic design comprises flat metal plates that are heated with electricity, making them a cost-effective choice for those who are on a tight budget. However, their initial price tag can cause higher electricity costs in the future due to their inefficient energy usage. They also require a large amount of heat that is left over and take longer to warm up and cool down than modern models.
A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic one, which is more expensive to purchase, but is much less expensive to run. Hobs of this type are available in a range of styles, such as flat and curved, and can be combined with ovens to suit any kitchen layout. Furthermore, they're easy to clean and blend well into most modern homes.
The next step up is the induction stove, which makes use of electromagnetic fields to heat your cookware directly. This means that the hob surface remains cool, reducing the chance of burns from accidental sources and making it safer for children youngsters to touch. In addition induction hobs are the fastest of all kinds to heat up and cool down.
It's important to consider your cooking habits and your energy requirements when choosing the kind of hob you'll need. Solid plate hobs are affordable to purchase, but they're not efficient and inefficient, whereas gas and ceramic hobs are more expensive, but more efficient. Induction hobs are a great alternative, as they blend the efficiency of a gas hob with a fashionable look.
Gas hobs
The top gas hobs are simple to use, have a clean and attractive appearance and are constructed from robust materials. They should also come with a good warranty and be easy to clean. They should also be compatible with a range of cookware, and offer instant heat control.
Gas hobs function by connecting each burner to a gas supply which then ignites the fuel and produces a flame. The flame warms both the pan and the air, allowing for accurate temperature control. Some models come with a visual flame indicator, making it easy to determine if the burners are on or off at a glance. Gas hobs can also be equipped with multiple burners in various sizes with automatic ignition as well as a removable drip pan.
Many modern gas hobs have a stainless steel or ceramic top, while some have sleek black glass finishes. You can pick between vented and open-burner hobs, depending on the design of your kitchen. Open-burner gas stoves don't come with an extractor which removes the smoke and steam out of the cooking pans.
Open-burner hobs have a classic cooker look with metal grates and knobs and vented hobs are more modern with flat, glass surfaces. Some models also come with pan supports that are wider, which is an advantage for larger pans and pots.
Gas hobs remain popular despite the rise of electric hobs, such as induction and ceramic. This is largely due to consumer preferences and the familiarity with gas cooking. Certain government regulations encourage the gradual elimination of fossil fuel-based appliances and the use of energy-efficient alternatives.
All gas-powered hobs require electrical components to operate, which is why it is essential to have your gas cooker installed by a qualified electrician and carpenter who can ensure all installations are secure and conform to industry standards. If you are installing a gas hob your electrician will have to run a power cable and a gas pipe into your kitchen. This is usually a straightforward procedure that doesn't alter your existing piping or electrical connections.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have a stylish and attractive look and are easy to maintain, and are more efficient than gas. They work by utilizing high-powered heating elements underneath the surface of each zone. The heat is then transmitted through the glass into the pan above. This helps reduce energy waste since it only directly heats the pan and not the best oven air around it. They are also simple to control and respond quickly to temperature fluctuations.
Ceramic hobs have a flat, ceramic surface that is easy to clean. Spills and splatters can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth once they cool. It's important to note that they're not suited to a hot or steamy kitchen conditions as the glass may crack and discolour if it becomes too warm.
Some people may be put off by the fact that ceramic cooktops generate some heat under the surface however, this isn't an issue for the majority of. Most models have integrated cooling fans to manage the heat that is generated beneath the surface and prevent it from affecting kitchens or workspaces. They also have insulation to help reduce heat transfer from the hob to your kitchen.
Ceramic hobs are also more flexible than induction hobs, which require certain kinds of magnetically conductor cookware. However, it's recommended to avoid using any cookware made from cast iron on a ceramic stove, because it could scratch the surface.
A lot of ceramic hobs come with safety features, such as residual heat indicators as well as a lockout function to prevent accidents from happening in the home. Certain ceramic hobs come with an overflow prevention feature that detects when a pot is boiling over and automatically reduces the power to whichever zone it is located to minimize the risk of damage. Similar to electric cookers generally, it's important to ensure the ceramic hob is installed and configured with the correct breakers and cables to ensure complete safety. This is a task best left to a professional electrician and you can be confident that your hob will be safe and reliable to use.
Hobs with induction
Induction hobs, like their name suggests have coils beneath the surface that generate magnetic fields. These fields generate heat in the pan or in the metal object placed on the hob. They use less energy than other types of hobs because they are cold until you have a pan placed on them. They also heat up more efficiently because heat is generated by the bottom of a pan and not the entire cooktop surface.
Like gas hobs, models with induction have a control panel where you can choose your settings and check the power you're using. They only work with cookware compatible with the electromagnetic heating mechanism. This means that it has to be made of ferrous metal or cast iron. Stainless steel and some non-stick pans also work, but always check the label or use a magnet on the base to make sure your cookware is compatible with induction.
Induction hobs are a favorite choice for shared student halls or penthouses for student accommodation from iQ. They come with sleek LCD displays, and their contemporary aesthetics fit seamlessly into contemporary kitchens. Induction hobs are less dangerous than gas stoves that are traditional because they only heat when a pan is placed over them, and they shut off automatically when the pan is removed.
Induction hobs are controlled similar to an iPhone. A swipe gesture on the slider will set your preferred temperature level. There are typically up and down arrows on the control panel that allow you to adjust the power level, or use a dial to precisely control the temperature.
In addition to nine power levels, some models have a dual flex zone which lets you join two zones together to create a larger cooking area for larger pots. Certain models come with an automatic shut-off feature and an indication of residual heat. Some models also come with an alarm that informs you when food is ready. Induction hobs emit an extremely low-level magnetic field at frequencies within the kilohertz spectrum which can cause problems for certain medical equipment such as pacemakers, so it's important to keep them away from your body when not being used.