Types of Hobs

A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electricity or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can choose the one that is best hobs suited to your kitchen and your style.

Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek design. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that is easy to clean, which means spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can help reduce your energy bills. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow to adjust the temperature which can be a problem when cooking something that requires immediate reduction or increase in heat.

Electric hobs utilize plates that are heated by electric elements beneath. The elements can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked to the power level you require. You can also use the boost feature to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a very high heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch after being shut off. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a location that is away from flammable items and away from children's reach.

The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be installed in a variety of worktops such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also quite affordable and can be an excellent option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. However, just like any other appliance, they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.

This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that's exactly the same size as the element, or that will fit comfortably inside each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, the element won't recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas-powered glass hobs have modern, sleek design. Although they may be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation, they usually take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to come to a boil in four minutes or less. This kind of stove is also a great option for cooks who want to control the amount of heat being generated. However, it should be noted that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel ones and will require cleaning more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of sliding off.

A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that 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 features a double inner flame to improve uniform heat distribution, which in turn increases cooking time. It also has a handy power level indicator, which allows you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including a high setting for searing steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.

Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are that you need to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest level of heating and it may be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.

Some of the best hob gas-on-glass hobs are available for an affordable price like this Neff model. While it's not going to win any design awards but it can do the job well and is a fantastic addition to your kitchen for less than PS120.

Electric Hobs Oven

There are many electric hobs that work for modern homes. They're not only elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They're designed with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also often equipped with a power boost feature, which allows you to increase the heat of your hob for a short period of time.

Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular type of pan to work with them and can be expensive to set up.

Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a great alternative for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it has a burner beneath a layer of flat glass. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempering glass. A lot of these hobs have a "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the heat.

Gas hobs are a popular choice for many home chefs however they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take some time to get hot and cool off. In contrast electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.

There are even electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, so you can adjust your cooking to fit your needs. However, it's important to remember that these hobs need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable for your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.

Hobs with induction

Under the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils which run an alternating electrical current. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils produce magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from a energy standpoint since there's no heat being wasted.

There are many different models of induction hobs, from basic entry level ones with one cooking zone that is with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots simultaneously in one flexible zone. Certain models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models have preset settings that are specific to food items or Hobs Oven recipes that can cut down time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more efficient in the long run. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller area for heating which can reduce the cost of energy. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design with no hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or elderly people living in the house. However, they do create an electric force that could affect certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.

As with all electric hobs you will need to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use a standard oven hob cleaner, or opt for a specialist product to keep your hob shiny and in good condition for longer. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaning products or scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.