Types of Hobs

A hob and oven (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans using electricity or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs have a flat ceramic cooking surface and have five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and stylish, and easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs provide an elegant and contemporary look which can greatly 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 cleaned. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow to adjust temperatures which can be a problem when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in heat.

Electric hobs consist of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. These elements can be individually controlled by rotary knobs and nipped to the power level you require. You can even utilize the boost feature to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being shut off. This can be a challenge if you have children, so it's advisable to only install them in a place which is far from flammable objects and not within reach of young children.

This kind of hob is able to be used on a variety of worktops, kitchen convenience including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively affordable and is a great alternative if you're trying to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. However, just like any other appliance, they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.

This kind of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You'll need cookware that's exactly the same size as the element, or that can fit comfortably into each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element will not recognise it and won't start to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs are sleek and contemporary in look. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and could require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating - an entire pot of water can often boil in less than 4 minutes. This kind of hob is a great choice for cooks who wish to control how much heat is generated. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and will require cleaning more often, since grease and residue build up tends to remain instead of sliding off.

This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs to give it a chic, sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob offers a double inner flame to improve uniform heat distribution and increases cooking time. It also features an easy-to-read power level indicator that assists in regulating the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, such as the highest setting for sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.

Our test participants also liked the controls as they were simple and easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you need to press the controls a further nine times to reach the highest temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern the burners' actions.

Some of the top gas on glass hobs are available for affordable prices like this Neff model. While it's not going to win any design awards, it does the job well and Oven And Hob can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern households. They're not only elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. These hobs have sleek glazed finishes, and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature that allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a brief period of time.

Induction hobs are a different electric hob (click to investigate) perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means they are more energy efficient and offer 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. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has the burner underneath an underlying layer of flat glass. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs also come with a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the hob is hot.

Gas hobs are a popular choice for many home chefs, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take a while to heat up and cool down, and their flame can be hard to manage. In contrast, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.

For the ultimate in modern efficiency, you can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to fit your lifestyle. However, it's important to note that these hobs need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a 6mm cable for your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people with pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.

Induction hobs

On the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that run an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils produce magnetic fields which directly heat the pan instead of heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are efficient in energy use, since they don't squander heat.

There are a myriad of models of induction hobs, from basic entry level models that have only one cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Some of these models come with a touch slider control that is very similar to the way you operate on an iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific 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 more efficient in the long term. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller area for heating which can reduce your energy costs. They also cool down faster and have a safer design with no hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with children or older people living in the home. However, they do produce an electric force that could interfere with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.

As with all electric hobs you will have to clean your electric hob regularly, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can employ a standard best oven uk cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your stove in good shape and shiny for longer. Just be sure to never use the abrasive cleaning pads or scouring pads on your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.