Types of Hobs

A hob, which is also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans using electric power or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, and you can pick one that is best ovens and hobs suited to your preferences and kitchen.

Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic cooking surface and have five or four zones for heating your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look which can greatly enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and are able to be wiped down if spills or splatters occur. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient and can lower the cost of electricity. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow to change temperature settings which can be a problem when cooking something that requires immediate reduction or an increase in heat.

Electric hobs are comprised of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be controlled individually with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a particular zone. Ceramic hobs also have a very high heat retention, which means they'll stay 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 an area that is away from objects that are flammable and away from young children.

This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and is a great alternative if you are looking to replace your old stoves 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 would recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.

This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need to buy cookware that is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it will not recognise it and won't begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer an elegant, modern look. While they be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to boil within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a great option for cooks who like to control the amount of heat being generated. However, it must be not forgotten that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and may need to be cleaned more frequently, as grease and residue build up tends to remain instead of sliding off.

This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs for a stylish, sophisticated look. It also includes an oblong wok ring with 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.

This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings to the left of the hob offers an inner flame that doubles to improve even heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also features an easy-to-read power indicator that allows you to regulate the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including a high setting for Hobs Oven searing a steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.

Its simple yet intuitive controls were liked by our testers who found them be extremely easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest level of heating, and that it can be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is among the Best place to buy oven and hob gas-on-glass hobs that are available at a low cost. While it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen for less than PS120.

Electric hobs oven

Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. They're not just sleek and stylish, they are they are also safer, faster, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They're constructed with a sleek glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to smudges and scratches. They also come with a power booster feature that lets you increase the heat for a short duration.

Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is ideal for hobs oven 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 have precise temperature control. However they require a certain type of pan to work with them and can be expensive to set up.

Gas on glass hobs are a great alternative for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it features the burner underneath a layer of flat glass. However, this glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's easier to clean than standard glass that's tempered. A lot of these hobs come with an "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the temperature.

While gas hobs are still an option that is popular with home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes some time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs on the other side are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.

For the highest level of modern efficiency You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, meaning you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. However, it's important to remember that these hobs need to be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.

Hobs with induction

Copper coils run an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that heat the pan directly rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient in energy use, since they don't use any heat.

There are many different models of an induction hob that range from basic ones that have a single cooking zone with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots at once on a flexible zone. Some of these models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar located in the middle to select the desired level of heat left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Some models have preset settings that are specific to recipes or food types which can help you save time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are more energy efficient over the long term. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating space which could reduce your energy bills. They cool faster and are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them ideal for ovens families with children or elderly residents. However, they do produce magnetic fields that can interfere with some medical devices such as pacemakers so it's important to center your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs you'll need to keep your induction hob clean, since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can either employ a standard oven and hob cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your oven in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Avoid using the abrasive cleaning products or the a scouring pad on your stove, as they can scratch the surface.