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 many different kinds of hobs, and you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and include four or five zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide modern and sleek design that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, so spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps lower your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you are cooking something that requires quick reduction or increase of the heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually through the rotary knobs. You can even use the 'boost' feature in order to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a very high rate of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch after being shut off. This can be a challenge for families with children, so it's advisable to place them in an area which is far from objects that are flammable and out of reach of children.
This type of hob can be used on a variety of worktops such as laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and is a great option if you want to replace your old stoves without spending a large amount of money. But, as with all appliances, they do need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need cookware that's either the exact size as the element, or that can fit comfortably into each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware doesn't fit, then the element won't recognize it and will not begin to heat up the base of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern design. While they can cost more than electric models and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to be boiling in four minutes or less. This type of hob also is ideal for cooks who need to control the amount of heat that is produced. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to accumulate grease and sludge.
This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs to give it a chic, sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is an attractive slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left side of the gas hob has an inner click here burner that doubles to improve heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also comes with an easy-to-read power level indicator, which allows you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like a high setting to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
Our testers also liked the controls as they were simple and easy to use. Some minor issues include the fact that you need to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest temperature and it can be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on glass hobs that you can buy at a reasonable price. Although it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards, it does the job well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen at just PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. They're not just elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have a surface that is easy 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 short amount of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric and gas plates. This means they are more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and can be costly to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that's a great option for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it comes with the burner underneath the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempered glass. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is heated.
Gas hobs remain a preferred choice for a lot of home cooks, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes a long time to heat up and cool off. On the other hand, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, so you'll be able to suit your lifestyle. It's important to note that these hobs need to be installed by an approved gas safe engineer. They also require a separate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers since the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils create an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils generate magnetic fields which heat the pan directly instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from an energy standpoint since there's no heat being wasted.
There are many different models of an induction hob, from basic entry level models that have one cooking zone that is with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots simultaneously on one flex zone. Some of these premium models come with a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar at the middle to select the desired level of heat left to right increases the heat and right to left reduces it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items 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 area for heating which can reduce your energy costs. They cool faster, and they have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them ideal for families that have children or elderly people. They do, however, create an electric force that could interfere with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean regularly since food particles and other debris can accumulate over time. You can make use of a basic oven cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your oven in good condition and shining for longer. Be sure to not use abrasive cleaners or pads to scour your induction cooker as they can scratch the surface.