Types of Hobs

A hob, which is also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electric or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, and you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs feature a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with five or four zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, which means spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient and can lower your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you have to cook something that requires a quick reduction or increase of the heat.

Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. The power of each element can be adjusted by rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a certain zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even when they are turned off, they'll be hot to the touch. This can be a problem for families with children, so it's best ovens and hobs uk to install them in a location which is far from objects that are flammable and not within reach of little ones.

This type of hob can be installed on a variety worktops including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also fairly affordable and is an excellent option for those trying to replace your old hobs and ovens, 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 your new Hobs Oven will be safe to use.

This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. It is essential to purchase cookware that is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't fit, then the element will not recognize it and will not begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs made of gas have a sleek and modern look. They are more expensive than electric models and require professional installation. However they heat up faster as a full pot of water will typically boil in less than four minutes. This type of hob also is a great choice for cooks who wish 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 models and will likely need to be cleaned more frequently, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stick rather than slide off.

A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also has an oblong wok ring with 4kW for added versatility, plus dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easier to keep clean.

This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left of the gas hob provides a double inner burner to increase the distribution of heat and increase the speed of cooking. It also has an indicator for power that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including a high setting for searing a steak and an option for scrambled eggs.

The simple, yet intuitive controls were also well appreciated by our testers who found them to be extremely easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are the fact that you need to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest heating level and it may be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.

Some of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available at an affordable price like this Neff model. While it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen for less than 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are a number of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They are not only sleek and stylish, but also faster, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. They're designed with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface resistant to scratches or smudges. They also come with a power booster function which allows you to boost your heat for a short time.

Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan and could be expensive to put in.

Glass hobs with gas are a great alternative for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under the glass, which is flat, like a traditional gas stove. However the glass is heatproof and shatterproof, so it's easier to clean than the typical glass that's tempered. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.

Gas hobs remain a popular choice for many home chefs however they can be noisy and hard to clean. They can take a long time to heat up and cool down and their flame can be difficult to manage. In contrast electric hobs are energy-efficient and simpler to clean.

You can even find electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. However, it's important to keep in mind that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people who have pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

On the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils which run an electrical current that varies. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields which heat the pan directly rather than heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from an energy standpoint because there's no leftover heat being wasted.

There are many models of induction stoves, from the basic ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously on one flex area. Some of these models come with a touch slider control that resembles to the way you operate on an iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Certain models have preset settings for certain recipes or food types that can cut down time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are considered to be more efficient in the long run since they heat up quicker and have a smaller surface for heating up which can help lower your energy costs. They cool down faster, and they are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them perfect for families that have children or elderly residents. However, they create magnetic fields that can cause interference with medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.

Like all electric ovens hobs, you'll have to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or opt for a specialist product to keep your stove shiny and in good condition for longer. It is not recommended to use the abrasive cleaning products or the a scouring pad on your stove, as they can scratch the surface.