Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans using electric or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can pick the one that best suits your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs come with flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and come with 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 can give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your electricity bills. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing temperature settings. This can be a problem when you have to cook something that requires a rapid reduction or an increase in temperature.
best hob are made of plates that are heated by electric elements under. They can be controlled separately using rotary knobs and notched up to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even after they have been turned off, they'll be hot to the touch. This can be a problem when you have children, so it's best to only install them in a location that is away from objects that are flammable and away from young children.
The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be put in on a variety of worktops, such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and can be a great alternative if you're looking to replace your old hobs, but without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring an electrician professional to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need to buy cookware that either matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, it won't recognize it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer a sleek, modern aesthetic. Although they may cost more than electric models and require professional installation, they often require less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to be boiling in four minutes or less. This type of stove works well for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to accumulate grease and other residue.
A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also comes with 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 is an attractive slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the gas hob has a double inner burner to increase heat distribution and accelerate cooking. It also features an easy-to-read power level indicator that allows you to control the exact temperature of your flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, such as a high setting to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled eggs.
Our testers also liked the controls, as they were simple and intuitive. Some minor issues are that you need to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest level of heating, and that it can be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is one of the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that you can buy at a reasonable price. While it's not going to win any design awards but it can do the job well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen for just over PS120.
Electric hobs
There are a number of electric hobs that are perfect for modern homes. They not only offer a sleek design that fits into the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functions that are safer, more efficient and energy-efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature which allows you to boost the heat for a brief period of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and have precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work with them and can be costly to set up.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are another great option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath an unidirectional glass layer similar to a conventional gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs also come with a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the oven is hot.
While gas hobs are still a popular option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and take a long time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs, on other hand, are more energy efficient and easier 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. It's important to remember that these hobs need to be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that produce heat directly within the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely efficient from a energy standpoint since there's no heat being wasted.
There are many models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone labelled by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves with up to six zones that allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously on one flex area. Certain models come with a touch-slider control that is very similar to the way you operate an iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more efficient in the long run. They can heat faster and have a smaller heating area which can lower your energy bills. They also cool down quicker and feature a safer design without hot plates, making them ideal for families with young children or elderly persons who live in the house. However, they do produce an electric force that could cause interference with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
Like all electric hobs you'll need to keep your induction hob clean, since food particles and other debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or you can purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your hob sparkling and in good order for longer. Make sure you don't use scrubbers or pads for scouring on your induction hob as they could scratch the surface.