Types of Hobs

A hob (known as stove tops 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 pick one that suits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs are equipped with a flat ceramic surface and either four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs have a sleek and modern look that can improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned in the event of spills or splatters. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to reduce your electricity bills. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to change temperature settings and can be a hassle if you're cooking something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.

Electric hobs are comprised of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. They can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked to the power level you require. You can even use the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being shut off. It is important to put ceramic hobs in an area that is safe from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.

This kind of hob is able to be used on a variety of worktops including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be a great option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.

This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need cookware that's the exact same size as the element, or that will fit comfortably inside the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, it will not recognize it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas-powered glass hobs have modern, sleek design. They can be more expensive than electric models and could require professional installation. However, they heat up faster - an entire pot of water can typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of stove is also a great choice for cooks who prefer to limit the amount of heat being generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and will need to be cleaned more often, as grease and residue build up tends to stay on the surface instead of sliding off.

This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant finish. It also comes with a 4kW wok ring for additional versatility, as well as dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easier to keep clean.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is a stylish slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left side of the gas hob features a double inner burner to increase the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also comes with an easy-to-read power level indicator that helps to regulate the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-set settings, Hobs Oven like high settings to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.

Our testers also liked the controls as they were easy to use and intuitive. A few minor drawbacks are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest level of heating and it may be difficult to discern the state of the burners through the glass.

A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available at affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not going win any design awards but it'll serve its purpose and be a great addition to your kitchen for just above 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are a number of electric hobs that work for modern households. They not only offer an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functions that are safer, more efficient and energy-efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost feature, which allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a short amount of time.

Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However, they require a specific kind of pan to function and can be expensive to set up.

Gas on glass hobs are a different option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath the glass, which is flat, similar to a conventional gas stove. However the glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much simpler to clean than the typical glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs are equipped with the "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the temperature.

Gas hobs are a popular choice for many home chefs, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes a long time to warm up and cool down. Electric hobs on the other side are more efficient in energy and are easier to clean.

There are electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, allowing you the flexibility you need to fit your lifestyle. It is important to note that these hobs will need to be installed by an accredited gas safe engineer and require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people who have pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

Beneath the glass surface of the induction hobs, hobs oven there are copper coils that generate an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a stove, the coils produce 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 a energy point of view, as there's no residual heat being wasted.

There are many models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone marked by rings up to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously on one flex area. Certain models feature a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs oven do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are believed to be more efficient in the long run because they heat up faster and have a smaller surface for heating up which can help you save on energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a safer design without hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with young children or elderly persons who live in the house. However, they can 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 will need to clean your induction best hob uk frequently, since food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use a standard oven with hob cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your oven hob in good condition and shiny for a longer time. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaning products or a scouring pad on your stove as they may scratch the surface.