Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans by using flames or electricity. There are several different types of hobs, so you can pick one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic cooking surface and have four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer an elegant and contemporary look which can greatly improve the overall look of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient and can lower the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you have to cook something that requires a rapid decrease or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. They can be controlled individually by rotary knobs and nipped up to the power level you require. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch after being turned off. This can be a problem for families with children, so it's recommended to only install them in a place that is well away from any flammable items and away from little ones.
This kind of hob can be used on a variety of worktops, including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also quite affordable and can be a great option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, so we recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas have a sleek and modern look. They are more expensive than electric models and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster as the water in a full pot can often boil within less than four minutes. This type of stove is a great choice for cooks who wish to control how much heat is generated. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they tend to build up grease and residue.
A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is a stylish slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the gas hob features a double inner burner to increase the distribution of heat and increase the speed of cooking. It also has a handy power indicator that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including a high setting for searing steaks and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and intuitive. Some minor issues include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest level of heating and it can be difficult to see the status of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs can be found at an affordable price like this Neff model. While it's not going to win any design awards, it does the job well and is an excellent addition to your kitchen for just over PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. Not only do they offer an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide modern technology that is safer, quicker and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic hob. These hobs oven are designed with an elegant glazed finish and feature a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster function that lets you increase the heat for a brief time.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and could be expensive to put in.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that's an excellent choice for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under an unidirectional glass layer similar to a conventional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs have the "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the temperature.
While gas hobs remain a popular option for many home cooks but 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 manage. Electric hobs, on other hand are more efficient in energy use and easy to clean.
You can even find electric stoves that work with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility to meet your needs. But, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for those with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils conduct an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a stove, the coils generate magnetic fields that create heat directly in the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely efficient in energy use, 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 identified by rings up to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously on one flex area. Certain models come with an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar in the middle to select the desired heat level, left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Some models have preset settings that are specific to recipes or food types which can help you save time 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 area for heating which can reduce your energy bills. They cool down faster and are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them ideal for families with children or elderly residents. They do, however, generate magnetic forces that can cause interference with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean regularly since food particles and other debris can accumulate over time. You can either use a standard oven cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your hob in good shape and shiny for a longer time. Make sure you don't use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads for scouring on your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.