Types of Hobs

A hob (known as stove tops in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans with flame or electricity. There are a variety of hobs. You can pick the one that best fits your kitchen and your style.

Induction hobs are equipped with an elongated ceramic surface and either four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs provide an elegant and contemporary look that can really enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned up if spills or splatters occur. They are fast to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on your electricity bill. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow in changing temperature settings, which can be frustrating when cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in temperature.

Electric hobs are made up of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be controlled separately using rotary knobs and notched up to the level of power you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a certain zone. Ceramic hobs also have very high rate of heat retention, which means they’ll stay hot to the touch after being turned off. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a location that is safe from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.

The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety worktops, such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It’s also quite affordable and can be an excellent option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot of money. As with all appliances, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.

The downside to this kind of hob is that it’s very sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn’t match, then the element won’t recognize it and will not begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent results in cooking and makes the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas-powered glass hobs have modern, sleek design. They can be more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However they heat up faster – a full pot of water can often boil within less than four minutes. This kind of stove is also a great option for cooks who like to regulate the amount of heat being generated. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.

One of the best examples of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. It also has the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.

This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left side of the gas hob has an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and accelerate cooking. It also has an easy-to-read power level indicator, which allows you to control the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including a high setting for searing a steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.

Our testers also liked the controls, as they were simple and intuitive. Some minor disadvantages are that you need to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest level of heating and it may be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is one of the top gas-on glass hobs available at an affordable price. It’s not likely to win any design awards however it’s going to do the job and can be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just above PS120.

Electric hobs

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

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. They are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They’re also usually fitted with a power boost function, which allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a short period of time.

Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and can be costly to install.

Gas on glass hobs are another great option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath an unidirectional glass layer similar to a conventional gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs come with a “hot surface indicator” which alerts you to the temperature.

While ovens uk are still a popular option for many home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. ovens uk take time to warm 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.

There are even electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, giving you the flexibility needed to meet your needs. But, it’s important to remember that these hobs need to be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable for your kitchen. They’re not suitable for people who have pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.

Hobs with induction

Copper coils create an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob the coils generate magnetic fields that generate heat directly in the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy perspective since there’s no heat that is wasted.

There are a variety of models of an induction hob starting from basic ones with a single cooking zone that is marked with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones, allowing you to cook multiple pots simultaneously in one Flex zone. Some of these models have the ability to control the temperature using a slider that’s similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar at the middle to choose the desired level of heat left to right increases heat and right to left decreases it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are believed to be more energy efficient in the long run because they heat up quicker and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help you save on energy bills. They cool quicker, and they are more secure without hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families that have children or elderly residents. However, they create a magnetic field which could cause interference with medical devices, such as pacemakers, therefore it is essential to center your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs you’ll need to keep your induction hob clean regularly as food and debris can build up over time. You can either use a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a specialist one to keep your hob in good condition and shining for a longer time. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or scouring pad on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.