Types of Hobs

A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans by using electricity or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs available, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs are equipped with an elongated ceramic surface and a range of 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 modern and sleek design that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient and can lower your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you are cooking something that requires a rapid decrease or an increase in the heat.

Electric hobs utilize an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements under. The elements can be controlled individually by rotary knobs and nipped up to the level of power you require. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even when they've been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge if you have children, so it's advisable to only install them in a place that is away from any flammable items and not within reach of children.

The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be put in in a variety of worktops such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It is also relatively affordable and is a great option for those trying to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. However, like all appliances they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that your new hobs oven are safe for use.

The downside to this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to pan size and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that is exactly the same as the element or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element will not recognise it and won't start to heat the base of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in look. While they can be more expensive than electric models and may require professional installation, they usually take less time to heat up. It's not unusual for a full pan of water to be boiling in four minutes or less. This type of stove is ideal for cooks who wish to control how much heat is produced. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to build up grease and other residue.

This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to give it a chic, sophisticated look. It alsrt amount of time.

Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric 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's an excellent option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath the glass, which is flat, similar to a standard gas stove. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much easier to clean than the typical glass that's tempered. A lot of these hobs are equipped with a "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the temperature.

Gas hobs remain a popular choice for a lot of home cooks However, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to warm up and cool down and their flames can be hard to control. However, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.

There are electric stoves that work with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, providing you with the flexibility to meet your needs. It is important to remember that these stoves will require the installation of an accredited gas safe engineer. They also require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Under the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob, the coils create magnetic fields that generate heat directly within the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from an energy point of view because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.

There are a myriad of models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves with up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to cook simultaneously within a flex area. Certain models come with an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar at the middle to choose the desired level of heat, left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are believed to be more efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and use a smaller space to heat up, which can help lower your energy costs. They also cool faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people living in the house. However, they do produce magnetic fields that can interfere with some medical devices such as pacemakers so it's important to center your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean regularly as food and debris can build up over time. You can employ a standard oven and hob cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your hob in good condition and best Hobs Uk shining for a longer time. Avoid using any abrasive cleaning product or scratching pads on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.