Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can pick the one that best suits your kitchen and your style.
Induction hobs feature flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and include five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer a sleek and modern look that can improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and are able to be cleaned in the event of spills or splatters. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your energy bills. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to change temperatures, which can be frustrating when cooking food that requires an instant reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs use plates that are heated by electric elements underneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted by rotating knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in an area that is safe from flammable items and out of reach of children.
This kind 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 if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. Like all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
The downside to this kind of hob is that it's very sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You'll need cookware that's either the exact same dimensions as the element or that will fit comfortably inside the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware doesn't match the element, it will not recognize it and will not begin to heat the base of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for modern, sleek design. They can be more expensive than electric models and could require professional installation. However, they heat up faster - the water in a full pot can often boil in less than 4 minutes. This type of hob is also a great option for cooks who like to regulate the amount of heat produced. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and may require cleaning more frequently, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to remain instead of sliding off.
A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also has the wok ring that has 4kW for added versatility, plus pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left side of the hob offers a double inner flame to ensure even heat distribution which increases cooking time. It also comes with an easy-to-read power level indicator that allows you to control the exact temperature of your flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing steaks and an option for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were 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 it may be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.
Some of the top gas on glass hobs can be found at an affordable price, such as this Neff model. While it's not going to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen at just 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits into the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with advanced functions that are safer, more efficient and efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface resistant to scratches or smudges. They also come with a power booster function that lets you increase the heat for a brief duration.
Induction hobs are another electric hob perfect for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric 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 can be costly to install.
A gas on glass hob is a second option that is a good choice for modern homes. It has a burner underneath a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs come with an "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the heat.
Gas hobs remain a popular option for many home cooks, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and take a long time to heat up and cool off. However, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
There are electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, meaning you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. But, it's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Beneath the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils which run an electrical current that varies. When best hob -compatible pot is placed on a hob, the coils generate 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 extremely efficient from an energy point of view, as there's no residual heat being wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves with up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked within a flex area. Some of these premium models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired heat level left to right increases heat and right to left reduces it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are believed to be more efficient over the long term because they heat up faster and use a smaller space for heating up which can help you save on energy bills. They also cool down quicker and feature a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or older people living in the home. However, they create magnetic fields that can affect medical devices like pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you will need to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your oven in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Be sure to not use abrasive cleaners or pads for scouring on your induction hob since they can scratch the surface.