Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are several different types of hobs, and you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with flat ceramic surfaces and either four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look that can really enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can easily be cleaned up if spills or splatters occur. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient and can lower the cost of electricity. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to change temperatures, which can be frustrating if you're cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually by rotary knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a certain area. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they have been turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a place that is away from items that could ignite and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops, including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and can be a great option if you're trying to replace your old hobs, but without spending a lot of money. Like any appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's very sensitive to pan size and shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that's the exact size as the element or that will fit comfortably inside each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware doesn't fit, then the element will not recognize it and won't begin to heat up the base of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern appearance. While they can cost more than electric models and may require professional installation, they usually take less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This type of hob is also a great choice for cooks who like to control the amount of heat generated. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.
A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring is 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines a stylish slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left of the gas hob has two burners inside to increase heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also has an easy-to-read power indicator that allows you to regulate the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as high settings to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled eggs.
Our test participants also liked the controls as they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest temperature, and that it can be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available for affordable prices, such as this Neff model. While it's unlikely to win any design awards but it can do the job well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. Not only do they have an elegant design that blends in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer modern technology that is safer, more efficient and efficient in energy use than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster function which allows you to boost your heat for a short time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric and gas plates. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to work with them and can be costly to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that's an excellent option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath the glass, which is flat, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs have a "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.
Gas hobs remain a popular choice for a lot of home cooks However, they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take time to heat up and cool down and their flame can be hard to control. Electric hobs, on the other side are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern technology, you can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to suit your lifestyle. It's important to note that these hobs will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and require an appropriate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils conduct an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a hob, the coils produce magnetic fields that produce heat directly within the pan, ovens rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy point of view since there's no heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves, from the basic ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously in one flex space. Some of these premium models feature a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar at the middle to select the desired temperature, left to right boosts heat and right to left decreases it. Some models have preset settings for certain food items or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more efficient in the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller area for heating which can reduce your energy bills. They cool quicker and have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families with children or elderly people. However, they do create magnetic forces that can interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
As with all electric hobs you will have to clean your induction hob frequently, since 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 hob in good condition and shining for longer. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaning products or scouring pad on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.