Types of Hobs

A hob, also referred to as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using flames or electricity. There are a variety of hobs available, so you can pick one that is best ovens and hobs suited to your preferences and kitchen.

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

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs offer a sleek and modern look which can greatly enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow in changing the temperature and can be a hassle when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in temperature.

Electric hobs are made of an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements under. These elements can be controlled individually by rotary knobs and nipped to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a certain area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high rate of heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. It is important to put ceramic hobs in an area that is safe from flammable items and out of reach of children.

This type of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops such as laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also reasonably priced and is a great option if you're trying to replace your old hobs, but without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.

The downside to this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You'll need cookware that's the exact same size as the element or that is able to fit in the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware doesn't match the element, it won't recognize it and won't start to heat up the base of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer modern, sleek design. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and could require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating and the water in a full pot can typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of hob is also a great option for cooks who prefer to control the amount of heat generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to build up grease and residue.

This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners finished in matt black with metal control knobs to create a sleek, elegant appearance. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.

This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and modern cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the hob has the double inner flame to promote improvement in even heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also has an indicator for power that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like the highest setting for sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled eggs.

The simple and easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects, who found them to be very simple to use. A few minor drawbacks are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest level of heating, and that it can be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.

Some of the best gas on glass hobs are available at affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not going win any design awards but it'll do the job and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just above PS120.

Electric hobs

There are many electric hobs that are perfect for modern homes. They are not only sleek and stylish, they are they are also more efficient, safer and more efficient 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 have a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature that allows you to increase your heat for a short duration.

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

Gas on glass hobs are another great option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath an unidirectional glass layer similar to a standard gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs also include a 'hot-surface indicator' that warns you when the oven is hot.

While gas hobs are still a popular option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes some time to warm up and cool down. On the other hand, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.

For the highest level of modern technology You can also find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, providing you with the flexibility needed to meet your needs. It's important to remember that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a specific 6mm cable for your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils which run an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob, the coils create magnetic fields that generate heat directly in the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy point of view, as there's no residual heat that is wasted.

There are a myriad of models of induction hobs starting from basic ones that have a single cooking zone marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs that can have up to six zones and allow the cooking of multiple pots at once on a flex zone. Certain models have a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are thought to be more energy efficient in the long run because they heat up quicker ovens and hobs uk use a smaller space for heating up which can help lower your energy costs. They cool quicker, 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 do produce magnetic fields that could interfere with some medical devices such as pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean regularly because food and debris could accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your hob in good condition and shining for a longer time. Avoid using the abrasive cleaning products or the scratching pads on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.