Types of Hobs
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 many different kinds of hobs, and you can choose one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic cooking surface and include five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern appearance. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly wiped away. They are fast to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing temperature settings. This can be a problem when you have to cook something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in the heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a certain zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even after they are turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge when you have children, so it's advisable to install them in an area which is far from objects that are flammable and not within reach of little ones.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be installed in a variety of worktops, such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable and is a great option if you're looking to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. As with all appliances, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, it will not recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas have a sleek and modern appearance. They can be more expensive than electric models, and could require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating as an entire pot of water can typically boil within less than four minutes. This type of stove is ideal for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require frequent cleaning as they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.
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 for a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass with cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the gas hob has an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also has an easy-to-read power indicator that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
The simple, yet intuitive controls were appreciated by our testers who found them to be extremely easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are that you have to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest heating level and it may be difficult to determine the state of the best hob burners through the glass.
This Neff model is one of the best gas-on-glass hobs that are available at a low cost. Although it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards, it does the job well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that work for modern homes. Not only do they have an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen and are also equipped with advanced functions that are safer, faster and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost feature, which allows you to increase the temperature of your stove for a short amount of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular type of pan to work with them and can be costly to install.
A gas on glass hob is a second option that's a great option for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it comes with an oven that is surrounded by an underlying layer of flat glass. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs have the "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the heat.
While gas hobs are still an option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and take an extended time to warm up and cool down. However electric hobs are efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
For the highest level of modern efficiency You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, so you can adjust your cooking to fit your needs. It is important to note that these hobs need to be installed by an approved gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers because 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 plate is placed on the hob the coils produce magnetic fields that directly heat the pan instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely energy efficient, as they don't squander heat.
There are a myriad of models of an induction hob starting from basic ones that have one cooking zone that is marked by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones and allow the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously on one flexible zone. Some of these premium models come with a touch-slider control that is very similar to how you operate an iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar at the middle to select the desired level of heat left to right increases heat and right-to-left decreases it. Some models have preset settings for certain food items or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are more energy efficient over the long term. They are more efficient in heating 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 perfect for families with children or elderly people living in the home. However, they do produce a magnetic field which could interfere with some medical devices, such as pacemakers, therefore it is essential to center your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll have to clean your electric hob regularly, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or you can opt for a specialist product to help keep your hob clean and in good shape for a longer time. Avoid using any abrasive cleaning product or a scouring pad on your stove as they may scratch the surface.