Types of Hobs

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

Induction hobs have a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can easily be wiped down in the event of spills or splatters. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient and can lower your electric bill. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you need to cook something that requires quick decrease or an increase in the heat.

Electric hobs consist of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be individually controlled by rotary knobs and nipped to the power level you require. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature in order to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a very high heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch even after being shut off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a location that is away from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.

This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, so we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.

This kind of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. It is essential to purchase cookware that either is exactly the same as the element or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, it won't recognise it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs are sleek and contemporary in appearance. They can be more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster as an entire pot of water can typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This kind of hob is also a good choice for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat being produced. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and will likely require cleaning more often, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stick instead of slipping off.

This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.

This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left of the gas hob provides two burners inside to improve the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also comes with a handy power indicator that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as the highest setting for sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.

Our test subjects also appreciated the controls, as they were simple and intuitive. A few minor drawbacks are the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest temperature, and that it can be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is one of the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that are available at a low cost. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just PS120.

Electric hobs

There are a number of electric Hobs Oven that are perfect for modern households. They are not only elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most well-known electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They're designed with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges or scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster function which allows you to boost the heat for a brief period of time.

Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is ideal 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. They require a special type of pan, and can be costly to install.

A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that is a good choice for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it has a burner beneath the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs have a "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 difficult to clean. They also take time to heat up and cool down and their flames can be difficult to manage. However electric hobs are energy-efficient and simpler to clean.

You can even find electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, allowing you the flexibility needed to meet your needs. But, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.

Hobs with induction

Beneath the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a hob the coils generate magnetic fields that generate heat directly inside the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are very efficient in energy use, since they don't squander heat.

There are many models of induction stoves, from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone labelled by rings up to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously on one flex area. Some of these models have a touch slider control that looks very similar to how you operate an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar at the middle to select the desired level of heat, left to right boosts heat and right-to-left decreases it. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for certain recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more energy efficient over the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating area which can reduce your energy costs. They cool down faster and also are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them perfect for families that have children or elderly people. However, they do produce magnetic fields that could interfere with some medical devices, such as pacemakers, therefore it is essential to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs, you'll have to clean your electric hob frequently, since food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to keep your stove clean and in good shape for longer. Be sure to not use scrubbers or scouring pads on your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.