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 a variety of hobs available, so you can pick one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have modern and sleek design that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow in changing the temperature, which can be frustrating if you're cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs consist of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. These elements can be individually controlled using rotary knobs and notched up to the level of power you require. You can even use the boost feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in a location that is safe 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, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be an excellent alternative if you are looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. Like any appliance, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure your new hobs will be safe to use.
right here of this kind of hob is that it's very sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You'll need cookware that is either exactly the same size as the element or that can fit comfortably into each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element will not recognize it and won't begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs are sleek and contemporary in appearance. Although they may cost more than electric models and may require professional installation, they often require less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This type of hob is also a great choice for cooks who want to regulate the amount of heat generated. However, it must be not forgotten that a glass hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel ones and will likely need to be cleaned more often, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stick instead of sliding off.
A great example of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs to create an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left side of the hob offers a double inner flame to promote improvement in even heat distribution which increases cooking time. It also has an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including a high setting for searing steaks and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were also well liked by our testers, who found them to be very simple to use. Some minor disadvantages include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest level of heating and it may be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best gas on glass hobs are available at an affordable price, such as this Neff model. While it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards, it does the job well and is a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just over PS120.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They not only offer a sleek design that fits into the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with advanced functionality that is safer, more efficient and efficient in energy use than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. These hobs have 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 function, which allows you to increase the temperature of your stove for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a specific kind of pan and can be costly to install.
A gas on glass hob is a second option that is a good option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has a burner beneath the glass is a flat layer. However it's shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much simpler to clean than standard tempered glass. A lot of these hobs have the "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the heat.
Gas hobs are a popular choice for many home chefs However, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and can take an extended time to heat up and cool off. On the other hand, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
To achieve the highest level of modern technology, you can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, allowing you the flexibility needed to fit your lifestyle. But, it's important to remember that these hobs need to be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Under the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils which run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields that heat the pan directly rather than heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't waste any heat.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves starting with the basic models with a single zone marked by rings up to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked on one flex area. Some of these models come with a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding 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 items which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more energy efficient over the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller area for heating which can lower your energy costs. They cool quicker and also are more secure without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with children or elderly residents. However, they do produce magnetic fields that can affect medical devices like pacemakers so it is important to place your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs you'll need to keep your induction hob clean since food particles and other debris can accumulate over time. You can either use a standard oven cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Be sure to not use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads to scour your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.