Types of HobsA hob, which is also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, and you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek design. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to adjust temperature settings and can be a hassle if you're cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs utilize a solid plate that is heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through the rotary knobs. You can even utilize the boost feature to boost the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even when they've been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a place that is safe from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be installed on a variety worktops such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be a great alternative if you are looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. Like any appliance, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need to buy cookware that matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognize it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs are sleek and contemporary in design. Although they may cost more than electric models and may require professional installation, they usually take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This type of stove is ideal for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to build up grease and other residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners finished in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant appearance. It also comes with a 4kW wok ring for added versatility, plus dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easy to clean.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the hob offers an inner flame that doubles to promote improvement in even heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also comes with a handy power level indicator that assists in regulating the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, including high settings to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.
Its simple yet intuitive controls were also well loved by our test subjects who found them to be very simple to use. A few minor issues are that you need to press the controls nine more times before reaching the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is one of the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that you can buy at a reasonable price. Although it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards but it can do the job well and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just PS120.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that work for modern homes. They're not just sleek and stylish, they are also faster, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. They are designed with a sleek glazed finish, and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature which allows you to boost the heat for a short time.
Induction hobs Oven are another electric hob perfect for modern homes. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work and can be costly to install.
A gas on glass hob is a different option that's an excellent choice for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it features an oven that is surrounded by the glass is a flat layer. However the glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much easier to clean than the typical tempered glass. Many of these hobs are equipped with a "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the temperature.
While gas hobs remain an option that is popular with home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes an extended time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs, on other side are more efficient in energy and easy to clean.
You can even find electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, so you can adjust your cooking to suit your lifestyle. It is important to note that these hobs require installation by an approved gas safe engineer and will require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people who have pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils which run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob the coils produce magnetic fields that heat the pan directly rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from a energy standpoint because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction hob that range from basic ones that have only one cooking zone marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones, allowing the cooking of multiple pots at once on a flex zone. Certain models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar located in the middle to select the desired heat level left to right increases heat and right to left decreases it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more efficient in the long term. They can heat faster and have a smaller heating space which could reduce the cost of energy. They cool faster, and they are more secure without hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families with children or elderly people. However, they can create a magnetic field which could cause interference with medical devices like pacemakers so it is important to place your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can either make use of a basic oven cleaning product or purchase a specialist one to keep your oven in good shape and shiny for a longer time. You should never use the abrasive cleaning products or the scouring pad on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.
