Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can pick the one that is best suited to your kitchen and your style.
Induction hobs have a flat ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have modern and sleek design that can enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing temperature settings. This can be a problem when you have to cook something that requires quick reduction or an increase in temperature.
Electric hobs use plates that are heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be adjusted individually via rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high rate of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. This could be a problem when you have children, so it's advisable to place them in an area that is away from any flammable items and not within reach of little ones.
The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be set up on a variety of worktops such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and can be a great option for those looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that is either the exact size as the element or that will fit comfortably inside each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, it won't recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas have a sleek and modern look. While they be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to boil within four minutes or less. This type of hob is also a great option for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat being produced. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they tend to accumulate grease and residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners that are matte black with metal control knobs to create a sleek, elegant finish. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the gas hob provides two burners inside to increase heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like a high setting to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled eggs.
Our test participants also liked the controls as they were easy to use and intuitive. A few minor issues are that you need to press the controls a further nine times to reach the highest temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.
Some of the more info top gas-on-glass hobs are available at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. While it's not going to be a winner of any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen at just PS120.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. They're not just sleek and stylish, but also faster, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. These hobs have a sleek glazed finish, and have a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster function that allows you to increase the heat for a short time.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs heat cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a particular type of pan to work with them and can be expensive to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that's a great choice for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under a flat glass layer, similar to a conventional gas stove. However the glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much easier to clean than glass that's tempered. A lot of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator', which informs you when the oven is hot.
Gas hobs remain a popular choice for a lot of home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take some time to get hot and cool off. On the other hand, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
To achieve the highest level of modern efficiency You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to note, however, that these hobs will require installation by an approved gas safe engineer and require an appropriate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils create an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils create magnetic fields which direct heat the pan, instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from an energy perspective because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are many models of induction stoves starting with the basic models with a single zone labelled by rings up to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves with up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to cook simultaneously within a flex area. Certain models come with a touch slider control that looks very similar to how you operate on an iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by moving 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 also more efficient in the long term. They can heat faster and have a smaller heating space which can lower the cost of energy. They also cool down quicker and feature a safer design without hot plates, making them ideal for families with children or older people living in the home. They do, however, create a magnetic force that could affect certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to help keep your hob sparkling and in good order for longer. It is not recommended to use any abrasive cleaning product or a scouring pad on your stove, as they can scratch the surface.