A hob, which is also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric power or flames. There are several different types of hobs, so you can choose one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature a flat ceramic cooking surface and include four or five zones for heating your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek appearance. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can help lower your electric 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 heat.
Electric hobs Oven are comprised of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. They can be individually controlled using rotary knobs and notched up to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a certain area. Ceramic hobs also have extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch after being shut off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in an area that is far from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.
The benefit 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 is also relatively affordable and can be a great alternative if you're trying to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. But, as with all appliances, they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.
The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to pan size and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that matches the element precisely or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it won't recognize it and will not begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for modern, sleek design. They can be more expensive than electric models and could require professional installation. However, they heat up faster - a full pot of water will typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This type of hob also is a great choice for cooks who wish to control the amount of heat that is produced. However, it must be not forgotten that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and will require cleaning more often, since grease and residue build up tends to stay on the surface instead of slipping off.
One of the best examples of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a a stylish and sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines a stylish slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings that are located to the left of the hob features an inner flame that doubles to ensure uniform heat distribution and increases cooking time. It also has an easy-to-read power indicator that lets you control the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine preset settings, including high settings to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
Our testers also liked the controls, as they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor disadvantages are that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest heating level and it may be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.
Some of the top gas-on-glass hobs can be found at an affordable price like this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design prizes but it'll do the job and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just above 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a number of electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. They're not just elegant and stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most well-known electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They're constructed with a sleek glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface resistant to smudges and scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature, which allows you to increase the heat of your hob for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means they are more energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a certain type of pan to function and are costly to install.
A gas on glass hob is another option that is a good option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under an unidirectional glass layer similar to a standard gas stove. However the glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs have the "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the heat.
Gas hobs remain a preferred option for many home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and take an extended time to get hot and cool off. However, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
There are even electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to remember that these hobs will require the installation of an approved gas safe engineer. They also require a separate cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for people with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Under the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob, the coils produce magnetic fields that generate heat directly in the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from an energy point of view since there's no heat being wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone marked by rings to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Certain models come with a touch slider control that resembles to the way you use on an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired temperature left to right increases the heat and right to left decreases it. Some models have preset settings for specific food types or recipes that can cut down time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are considered to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up faster and use a smaller space to heat up which could help lower your energy costs. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people living in the house. They do, however, create a magnetic force that could affect certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you will have to clean your induction hob regularly, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or you can purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your hob clean and in good shape for a longer time. You should never use any abrasive cleaning product or scouring pad on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.
