Types of Hobs

A hob (known as stove tops in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans using electricity or flames. There are several different types of hobs available, so you can pick one that is best hob suited to your preferences and kitchen.

Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic cooking surface ovens and hobs have five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs offer modern and sleek design that can really enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, which means spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient and can lower your electric bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing temperature settings and can be a hassle when cooking food that requires an instant reduction or increase in temperature.

Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be adjusted individually via rotary knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have very high heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. This can be a problem for families with children, so it's recommended to install them in a place that is away from flammable objects and not within reach of young children.

The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be set up on a variety worktops, such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be an excellent option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot of money. Like all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs will be safe to use.

A downside of this type of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to pan size and shape. You'll need cookware that's the exact same dimensions as the element or that is able to fit in the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it will not recognize it and won't start to heat the base of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in appearance. Although they may be more expensive than electric ones and require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up. It's not unusual for a full pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This kind of stove is also a good choice for cooks who like to regulate the amount of heat being generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and will need to be cleaned more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of slipping off.

One of the best examples of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.

This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass with modern cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the gas hob features two burners inside to increase the distribution of heat and accelerate cooking. It also has an easy-to-read power indicator that allows you to regulate the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, including high settings to sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.

The simple, yet intuitive controls were also well appreciated by our testers, who found them to be very easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you have 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.

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 prizes, but it will do the job and can be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just above 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are a number of electric hobs that are ideal for modern households. They are not only elegant and stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They're made with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges and scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost feature which lets you increase the temperature of your stove for a short period of time.

Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs cook your food directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric and gas plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan, and can be costly to set up.

Gas on glass hobs are a great alternative for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it comes with a burner beneath the glass is a flat layer. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempering glass. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is heated.

Gas hobs remain a popular option for many home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and take a long time to get hot and cool off. On the other hand, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.

For the ultimate in modern technology, you can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to suit your lifestyle. It's important to remember that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a dedicated 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're not suitable for those with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

Under the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils which run an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils create magnetic fields that directly heat the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy point of view, as there's no residual heat that is wasted.

There are many different models of induction Hobs oven, from basic entry level models that have one cooking zone that is marked by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones, allowing you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one flex zone. Some of these premium models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar in the middle to choose the desired temperature left to right boosts heat and right-to-left decreases it. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for certain recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are believed to be more energy efficient over the long term since they heat up faster and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help reduce your energy bills. They cool down faster, and they are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families with children or elderly residents. They do, however, produce magnetic forces that can cause interference with certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.

As with all electric hobs you'll need to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use a regular oven and hob cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to help keep your hob sparkling and in good order for longer. It is not recommended to use any abrasive cleaning product or scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.