Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans by using electricity or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can choose the one that best suits your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs have a flat ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide modern and sleek design that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing temperature settings. This can be a problem when you need to cook something that requires a rapid reduction or increase of temperature.
Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. These elements can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a certain zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, and even after they have been turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a place that is away from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.
This type of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and is a great option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. Like all appliances, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.
The downside to this kind of hob is that it's sensitive to pan size and shape. You'll need cookware that is either the exact same size as the element, or that will fit comfortably inside each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, the element won't recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and make the hob less energy efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for an elegant, modern look. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and may require professional installations. However they are also more efficient in heating as a full pot of water will typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of hob works well for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to build up grease and sludge.
One of the best examples of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs that create a a stylish and sophisticated finish. The wok ring is 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines an attractive slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the gas hob provides an inner burner that doubles to improve heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also has a handy power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including a high setting for searing steaks and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test participants also liked the controls because they were simple and intuitive. A few minor drawbacks include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest level of heating and it can be difficult to discern the state of the burners through the glass.
Some of the top gas-on-glass hobs can be found at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. While it's not going to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen at just 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, but they are also safer, faster, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. They are designed with a sleek glazed finish, and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost function, which allows you to increase the heat of your hob for a short amount of time.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric and gas plates. They are therefore more energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a particular kind 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 a flat glass layer, similar to a standard gas stove. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs also come with a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the oven is hot.
Although gas hobs are an option that is popular with home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control check here and takes an extended time to get hot and cool off. On the other hand, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
For the highest level of modern efficiency You can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, meaning you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. It is important to remember, however, that these hobs will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils create an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils create magnetic fields that heat the pan directly instead of heating the surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from an energy perspective because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction hob starting from basic ones that have only one cooking zone marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs that can have up to six zones, allowing you to cook multiple pots at once on a Flex zone. Some of these models have a touch slider control that resembles to the way you operate on an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar in the middle to select the desired temperature, left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more energy efficient over the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating space which can reduce your energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with young children or elderly persons living in the house. However, they do generate magnetic forces that can interfere with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean regularly as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can either make use of a basic oven cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Make sure you don't use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads for scouring on your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.