Types of Hob and Oven

Hobs and ovens are a common feature in most kitchens. They can be found in a variety of styles. You can mix different types of ovens hobs, like gas and electric to meet your requirements.

Safety features like child and position controls can be integrated into a hob. These features can stop children from accidentally changing the heat setting or touching the hob.

Types

The hob is the focal point of any kitchen and has a huge impact on the results of your cooking. There are a variety of hobs, and the one you choose depends on the cooking requirements you have.

Gas hobs are the classic choice and offer a fast heat-up function and instant reaction to temperature changes. Professional chefs prefer them because they are precise in their control. However, they're not as clean as other hobs and could require a higher level of maintenance.

Electric hobs are a flat ceramic surface that has heated elements underneath and can come in a variety of sizes with between four and six cooking zones. Each zone has its own heating element that you can control individually. This allows you to boil potatoes on one ring while cooking sausages in another. This type of hob is much easier to start heating than gas, and is a safer alternative for children since the cooking area gets hot only when you put an oven on it.

Traditional ceramic hobs are a comfortable alternative to gas and electric and are a elegant choice. They have a smooth, hard-wearing surface that is easy to clean but aren't as quick to respond to temperature changes like other hobs, and may be slower to cool down.

The Domino hob is a space-saving alternative to electric and gas hobs. It combines best ovens and hobs beneath the cooking surface. They are great for kitchens with little space. They can also be used in kitchenettes and flats. They tend to be cheaper than standard hobs, and are energy efficient, however they can also be fragile and require more frequent maintenance.

Gas

Gas hobs are cooktops equipped with burners that can easily be integrated into the kitchen countertop to create a seamless look. They are typically used with natural or the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) but can also be powered by propane gas. The sleek, modern design can add sophistication to your modular cooking space.

A traditional gas stove comes with a range of burners, usually 4 but sometimes up to 6. The burners can be lit by a match or a knob. The flames are controlled by the valves that can be adjusted in temperature.

The majority of modern gas stoves built-in, on the other hand, have burners with multiple flames. This lets you control both the outer and inner rings of each burner to allow you to precisely control the cooking. These burners are faster and more reliable than older models.

In the past, it was essential for the gas stove to be continuously lit to ensure that the burners remained hot and well-fueled. This was done to avoid accidents, for example, the mistake of turning on an oven while the stove is still lit with an igniter or a match. Modern cookers are designed with safety in mind. They come with a built-in fire failure device that shuts down the burners automatically if the pilot light fail.

Gas stoves and hobs need to be checked regularly and cleaned, as well as maintained. To do this, you should book a visit from an Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able to ensure that your appliance is operating properly as well, but they'll also offer expert advice and guidance on how to avoid issues in the future.

Electric

When it comes to creating your dream kitchen, the worktops, fridge freezer and ovens and hobs will always get the most attention, but a quality hob is equally important. The kind of hob you select will influence the way your kitchen works and how easy for you to clean.

Electric hobs have heating elements underneath a smooth glass surface which is typically cleaned using a non-abrasive cleaner. These elements are activated when you turn on the oven and can be adjusted to different power levels using a control knob. They may take longer to heat up than gas cookers, but once they have done so, they are able to provide better, regular temperature control. They also come with indicators that inform you that a particular zone is active or hot from cooking.

They are available in four to six sizes and can be notch-up up to various power levels. They are great for flat-based cookware, but not for cast iron pans, as they can overheat. Some models (such as Belling BELCH602T) come with dual rings which allow you to cook sausages and boil water on the same ring. Some models come with a Boost feature that concentrates high heat into one ring. This is useful for stir-frying, searing meat, or boiling large pots.

Induction hobs are different from regular electric models as they use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware, rather than the conventional method of gas flames. This allows them to reach precise temperatures in a short space of time and makes them highly energy efficient. They have a cool-to the touch surface and flashing indicators that inform you if a ring has been used or is still hot.

Ceramic

Ceramics can be used to make decorative or functional objects. It is made by mixing clay with earthen elements, powders and water, and then firing it in a high temperature best oven uk called Kiln. Once it's made, it can be covered with paint-like or decorative substances to add colour and texture.

Ceramic hobs combine design and function to make a stunning piece of contemporary kitchen furniture. They operate using radiant heating technology, passing an electric current through coiled components hidden beneath the black glass surface of the hob. They produce heat when activated, which is transferred to your pan via an infrared system. You can alter the intensity of this heating by adjusting the controls using a knobs or a touch.

Some ceramic hobs are dual-ring designs, having one smaller and a larger cooking area which allows you to select the most suitable size for your pan. You can also buy hobs that have boosters that create high-powered heat rapidly. This is ideal for searing food or bringing pans to a boil quickly.

In comparison to other types of hobs ceramic cooktops typically take longer to warm up and then change temperature, but once they do they're generally more energy-efficient. There are vented cooktops that incorporate a ventilation system within the cooktop's ceramic surface, making sure steam, smoke and cooking smells aren't left in your home.

Induction

The heating elements inside induction hobs consist of a set of copper wire coils that are placed beneath the surface that create electromagnets that heat the pans that sit on them. The coils stir up the free electrons within the base of your pan which transmits heat evenly and directly to your food. The surface of the stove is never hot, and when you take off your pan the cooking zones are turned off automatically.

Induction hobs are typically more expensive than other models, but they're also faster to heat and consume 30-70 percent less energy than ceramic or gas hobs. They're also easier to clean, since the surface of the hob isn't heated, but the contents of your pan do.

Some manufacturers offer a special induction model that comes with additional features like a pause function, which cuts the power to your cooker when you step away from it, or link up two cooking rings at the same power level to provide additional flexibility. They are often referred to as FlexInduction hobs. They are more expensive than traditional induction models, but they're worth a look if multitasking is important to you.

Our favorite is this induction hob made by Smeg. It has four good-sized cooking zones with a bridge function as well as nine power levels, giving you a variety of options for ambitious cooks. It was a great performer in our tests with fast heating and precise control when making pancakes. The hob has a built in dishwasher and automatic pan detection, which makes cleaning much easier. The only issue is that there are only a handful of compatible pans, and you cannot make use of it for cooking with utensils with magnetic bases. This could be a problem in the event that you have a large amount of cookware that isn't compatible or some of it is suitable for use on induction hobs.