Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans by using electricity or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs available, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and have four or five zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and stylish, and easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look that can really enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can easily be cleaned if spills or splatters occur. They are fast to heat up and are energy efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to adjust temperature settings and can be a hassle when cooking food that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs utilize a solid plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted through rotating knobs. You can even use the boost feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even after they are turned off, they'll be hot to the touch. It is important to put ceramic hobs in an area that is away from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.
This kind of hob is able to be installed on a variety worktops such as laminate and 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 need to be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that 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 either the exact size as the element, or that can fit comfortably into the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, the element will not recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in appearance. While they cost more than electric models and require professional installation, they usually take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to come to a boil in four minutes or less. This type of hob also is ideal for cooks who want to control how much heat is produced. However, it should be not forgotten that a glass hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and will require cleaning more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to stick instead of slipping off.
A fantastic example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. It also has a 4kW wok ring for added versatility, plus pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the gas hob features an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and accelerate cooking. It also has a handy power level indicator that assists in regulating the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as high settings to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled website egg.
The simple and easy-to-use controls were also appreciated by our testers who found them be very simple to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you need to press the controls nine times to reach the highest heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is among the best gas-on-glass hobs available at an affordable price. While it's not going to be a winner of any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is an excellent addition to your kitchen for less than 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. Not only do they have an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with modern technology that is safer, quicker and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface resistant to scratches or smudges. They also come with a power booster feature that allows you to increase the heat for a brief period of time.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric and gas plates. This means they are more energy-efficient and have precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and could be expensive to put in.
Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath the glass, which is flat, similar to a conventional gas stove. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much simpler to clean than the typical tempered glass. A lot of these hobs are equipped with the "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the heat.
While gas hobs remain an option for many home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes an extended time to get hot and cool off. However electric hobs are efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. It's important to note that these hobs need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people who have pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Under the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that run an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields which heat the pan directly instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy perspective because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves, from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously within a flex area. Certain models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are more efficient in the long run. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller area for heating which could reduce your energy costs. They cool down faster, and they have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them ideal for families that have elderly or children. However, they create magnetic fields that could interfere with some medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs, you will have to clean your electric hob regularly, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or you can opt for a specialist product to help keep your hob clean and in good shape for a longer time. Make sure you don't use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads to scour your induction hob since they can scratch the surface.