Types of Hobs

A hob (known as stove tops in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans with flame or electricity. There are many different types of hobs. You can pick the one that best suits your kitchen and your style.

Induction hobs have flat ceramic surfaces and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs have a sleek and modern look that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow in changing temperatures which can be a problem when cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.

Electric hobs are made up of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually through rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch after being turned off. This can be a challenge for families with children, so it's advisable to only install them in an area which is far from any flammable items and away from young children.

This kind of hob is able to be used on a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be a great option if you want to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. However, like all appliances they must be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we suggest hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.

This kind of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need to buy cookware that either matches the element precisely or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element won't recognize it and won't begin to heat up the base of the pan. This could result in inconsistent results in cooking and makes the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern appearance. They can be more expensive than electric models, and could require professional installation. However they heat up faster as an entire pot of water can often boil in less than 4 minutes. This kind of hob is a great choice for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat is generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel ones and will likely need to be cleaned more often, since grease and residue build up tends to stick instead of slipping off.

A great example of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is a stylish slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob features a double inner flame to promote improvement in even heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also features an easy-to-read power level indicator, which assists in regulating the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings, including the highest setting for searing a steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.

The simple, yet intuitive controls were also well liked by our testers who found them be very simple to use. Some minor issues are that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest level of heating, and that it can be difficult to see the status of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that you can buy at a reasonable price. While it's not going to win any design awards but it can do the job well and is an excellent addition to your kitchen at just PS120.

Electric hobs

There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. They not only offer an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with advanced functions that are safer, faster and more efficient in energy use than their predecessors.

One of the most well-known electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature that allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a brief period of time.

Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric and gas plates. This means they are more energy-efficient and have precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work with them and can be costly to set up.

A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that is a good option for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, Ovensandhobs.Uk it features the burner underneath a layer of flat glass. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs also have a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the oven is hot.

Gas hobs remain a preferred option for many home cooks However, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to cool down and warm down and their flame can be hard to manage. Electric hobs, on the other hand, are more energy efficient and easy to clean.

To achieve the highest level of modern technology You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, allowing you the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. It's important to note, however, that these hobs require installation by an approved gas safe engineer. They also require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're not suitable for those with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Copper coils create an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from an energy perspective since there's no heat being wasted.

There are a variety of models of induction hobs starting from basic ones with one cooking zone that is marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones, allowing you to cook several pots simultaneously in one flexible zone. Some of these models come with a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar at the middle to choose the desired level of heat, left to right increases heat and right to left reduces it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are believed to be more efficient over the long term because they heat up faster and have a smaller area for heating up which can help reduce your energy bills. They cool down faster and are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them perfect for families that have children or elderly people. However, they create magnetic fields that can interfere with some medical devices like pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.

As with all electric hobs you will have to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or you can opt for a specialist product to keep your hob clean and in good shape for longer. Just be sure to never use abrasive cleaners or pads to scour your induction cooker as they can scratch the surface.