Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electricity or flames. There are several different types of hobs, so you can choose one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with flat ceramic surfaces and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and stylish, and easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern appearance. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that is easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to reduce your electricity bills. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you are cooking something that requires a rapid reduction or increase of the heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. They can be controlled separately using rotary knobs and notched to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch even after being shut off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in an area that is safe from items that could ignite and away from children's reach.
This kind of hob is able to be installed on a variety worktops including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and can be a great alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. However, like all appliances they do need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You will need to purchase cookware that matches the element exactly or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it will not recognise it and will not begin to heat 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 have a sleek and modern design. They are more expensive than electric models, and could require professional installation. However, they heat up faster - a full pot of water can typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of hob is a great choice for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is generated. However, it should be observed that a glass-based hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and may need to be cleaned more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to remain instead of sliding off.
A fantastic example of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. It also includes an oblong wok ring with 4kW for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the hob offers the double inner flame to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution which speeds up cooking times. It also features an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-set settings, like high settings to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and easy to use. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you need to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest temperature, and that it can be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas on glass hobs are available for an affordable price like this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design awards but it'll serve its purpose and be a great addition to your kitchen for just more than 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. They're not only elegant and stylish, but they are also safer, faster, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're designed with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges or scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost feature, which allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a short period click here of time.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. They are therefore more energy efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. However they require a certain kind of pan to work and are costly to install.
A gas on glass hob is a different option that's an excellent choice for modern homes. It has a burner underneath the glass, which is flat, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs also have a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the hob is hot.
While gas hobs remain an option that is popular with home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to cool down and warm down and their flame can be hard to control. On the other hand, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the highest level of modern technology You can also find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. It is important to remember, however, that these stoves will require installation by a registered gas safe engineer and will require an appropriate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils which run an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a hob the coils produce magnetic fields that generate heat directly inside the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't waste any heat.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone labelled by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves with up to 6 zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked on one flex area. Some of these premium models have the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Certain models have preset settings for specific food types or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can 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 reduce your energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a safer design with no hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with children or older people who live in the house. However, they can create a magnetic field which could affect medical devices like pacemakers so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs, you will have to clean your induction hob regularly, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can either make use of a basic oven cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your hob in good shape and shiny for longer. Be sure to not use scrubbers or pads to scour your induction hob as they could scratch the surface.