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 many different types of hobs. You can choose the one that best oven suits your kitchen and your style.

Induction hobs feature a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and stylish, and easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs have a sleek and modern look that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient and can lower your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you need to cook something that requires a rapid reduction or increase of heat.

Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The power of each element can be adjusted individually via rotating knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch even after being turned off. This can be a challenge when you have children, so it's recommended to only install them in a place that is well away from objects that are flammable and not within reach of children.

This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops such as laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and is a great option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.

The downside to this kind of hob is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that's exactly the same size as the element or that will fit comfortably inside the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, it will not recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern appearance. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and could require professional installation. However, they heat up faster and a full pot of water will typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of hob is also a great option for cooks who like to regulate the amount of heat being generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to accumulate grease and sludge.

This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal for a stylish, sophisticated appearance. The wok ring is 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.

This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the gas hob features two burners inside to increase heat distribution and increase the speed of cooking. It also comes with an indicator for power that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including the high setting for searing steaks and the low setting for scrambled eggs.

The simple, yet intuitive controls were loved by our test subjects, who found them to be very simple to use. A few minor issues are that you need to press the controls nine more times to reach the highest heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.

This Neff model is one of the best gas-on-glass hobs that are available at a low cost. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for less than 120 pounds.

Electric hobs

Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. Not only do they offer an elegant design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functionality that is safer, faster and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They're made with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to smudges and scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost function, which allows you to increase the temperature of your stove for a short amount of time.

Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan and could be expensive to put in.

A gas on glass hob is a second option that's an excellent choice for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it comes with an oven that is surrounded by the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs also include a 'hot-surface indicator', which alerts you when the oven uk is hot.

While gas hobs remain an option that is popular with home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take a while to warm up and cool down and their flame can be hard to manage. Electric hobs, on other side are more efficient in energy and easy to clean.

There are even electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. It's important to note that these hobs will need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field may 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 pot is placed on a hob the coils produce magnetic fields that create heat directly in the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely efficient from an energy standpoint since there's no heat that is wasted.

There are many different models of induction hob, from basic entry level ones that have one cooking zone that is with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones, allowing you to cook several pots simultaneously in one flex zone. Certain models come with a touch slider control that is very similar to the way you use 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 even 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 also more efficient in the long run. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller heating space which can reduce the cost of energy. They also cool down quicker and feature a safer design with no hot plates, making them perfect for families with young children or elderly persons who live in the house. However, they create magnetic fields that could interfere with some medical devices such as pacemakers so it is important to place your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs oven, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean, because food and debris could accumulate over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to keep your hob sparkling and in good order for longer. Be sure to not use scrubbers or pads for scouring on your induction hob since they can scratch the surface.