Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with flames or electricity. There are a variety of hobs. You can pick the one that is best suited to your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic cooking surface and have five or four zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have 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 also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your electricity bills. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow in changing the temperature which can be a problem when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. They can be individually controlled with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can even utilize the boost feature to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, and even after they've been shut off, they'll be hot to the touch. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a location that is far from flammable items and out of reach of children.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety worktops, such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is an excellent option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. However, like all appliances they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we would recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need to buy cookware that's the exact dimensions as the element or that is able to fit in each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, the element won't recognise it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for a sleek, modern aesthetic. They are more expensive than electric hobs, and require professional installation. However, they heat up faster and an entire pot of water will typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This kind of stove is also a great option for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat generated. However, it should be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and will likely need to be cleaned more often, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stick rather than slide off.
A fantastic example of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. It also has the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easy to clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines a stylish slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the hob features the double inner flame to ensure uniform heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also comes with an easy-to-read power level indicator, which assists in regulating the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like a high setting to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls because they were simple and easy to use. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest temperature, and that it can be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best gas on glass hobs can be found at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. While it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards but it can do the job well and is an excellent addition to your kitchen at just 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that work for modern households. They're not only elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost function that allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs cook your food directly with electromagnetic fields best hob unlike traditional electric and gas plates. They are therefore more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan, and can be costly to set up.
A gas on glass hob is another option that is a good option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it comes with the burner underneath an underlying layer of flat glass. However, this glass is heatproof and shatterproof, so it's much simpler to clean than standard glass that's tempered. A lot of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.
While gas hobs are still an option that is popular with home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take an extended time to warm up and cool down. Electric hobs, on other side are more efficient in energy and are easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to suit your lifestyle. It is important to note, however, that these hobs require the installation of an accredited gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Induction hobs
On the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that generate an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that generate heat directly within the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). Induction hobs are very efficient in energy use, since they don't waste any heat.
There are a myriad of models of induction hobs, from basic entry level models that have one cooking zone that is marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots at once on a flex zone. Some of these premium models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Certain models have preset settings for specific food types or recipes which can help you save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are considered to be more efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and have a smaller surface for heating up which can help you save on energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design with no hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with young children or elderly persons living in the house. However, they do produce an electric force that could interfere with certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
As with all electric hobs you will have to clean your electric hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaning product or purchase a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Avoid using the abrasive cleaning products or the scratching pads on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.