Lonnie Cundiff

Types of Hob and Oven

Hobs and ovens and hobs uk are a popular feature in many kitchens. They can be found in various designs. You can also mix different kinds like domino, electric, and gas to fit your cooking requirements.

A hob can also have safety features like child and control of the position. They can stop children from touching the hob, and stop them changing the temperature settings accidentally.

Types

The hob is the central feature of any kitchen, and has a huge impact on the results of your cooking. However, there are a variety of kinds of hobs and the one you pick will depend on what your specific cooking requirements are.

Gas hobs are a classic choice, and they provide a rapid heat-up function and instant reaction to temperature fluctuations. Professional chefs favor them because they provide precise control. However, they are not as clean as other hobs and may require more maintenance.

Electric hobs are a flat ceramic surface that has heated elements beneath and can be found in various sizes, with between four and six cooking zones. Each zone is equipped with its own heating element that can be controlled by you. You can boil potatoes in one ring, while cooking sausages on a different. This kind of hob can be quicker to heat than gas and is a child-safe alternative as the cooking zone is only heated when you put a pan on it.

Traditional ceramic hobs are a very user-friendly alternative to electric and gas and are a stylish option. They have a smooth, durable surface that is easy to clean, but they aren't as quick to respond to temperature changes like other hobs and can be slower to cool down.

Domino hobs can be a space-saving alternative to gas and electric hobs that incorporate ovens hobs beneath the cooking surface. They can be fitted into smaller kitchens that have limited installation space and work well in flats and kitchenettes. They are typically less expensive than standard hobs and are energy efficient however they can be brittle and require more care than other types of cookers.

Gas

Gas hobs are cooktops with burners that can be easily fitted into the kitchen countertop to create a seamless look. Gas hobs are usually powered by LPG or natural gas, but they can also be powered by propane gas. They feature a sleek and modern design that can add a touch of sophistication to your modular kitchen.

A traditional gas stove has several burners, usually 4 but sometimes as many as 6. The flames are ignited using a match or by turning a knob. The flames are controlled by a set of valves which can be adjusted to regulate the temperature.

In contrast, most modern built-in gas hobs have multi-flame burners that let you manage the outer and inner ring of each burner to precisely manage your cooking. These burners are faster and more reliable than older models.

In the past, it was essential for gas stoves to be lit at all times to ensure that the burners remained hot and well-fueled. This was done to prevent accidents, for example, not turning on the oven when the stove is still lit with an igniter or a match. Modern cookers are designed with safety in mind and come with a built-in fire failure device that shuts off the burners automatically should the pilot light fail.

Gas stoves and hobs need to be regularly checked, cleaned and maintained. To accomplish this, you must arrange a visit with a Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able ensure that your appliance is functioning correctly, but they will also provide expert advice on how you can avoid any future problems.

Electric

When it comes to designing your ideal kitchen, the worktops, fridge freezer and ovens and hobs will always get the most attention but a good hob is also essential. The type of hob that you choose will affect the way your kitchen operates and how easy it is to clean.

Electric hobs have heating elements that are placed on a smooth glass surface which is typically cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaning agent. The elements turn on when you turn on the hob and can be adjusted to a variety of power levels by turning or clicking the control knob. It can take them some time to heat up, but once they have they tend to provide more reliable and consistent temperature control. They also come with indicators that let you know when a space is active or hot from cooking.

These rings are available in four to six sizes and can be notch-up to various power levels. They are perfect for cookware with a flat base but aren't the best option for cast-iron pans because they can get hot. Some models (such as Belling BELCH602T) have dual-ring designs which allow you to cook sausages and boil water in the same ring. Some models have a 'boost' function that concentrates high-powered heat into one ring for stir fry cooking sauteing meat, or boiling large pots of water.

Induction hobs differ from standard electric hobs in that they utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware, instead of the traditional method of gas flames. They can achieve precise temperatures more quickly and are more efficient in energy use. They have a cool to the touch surface as well as flashing indicators that inform you if a ring has been used or is still hot.

Ceramic

Ceramics can be used to create functional or decorative objects. It's formed by mixing earthen elements, clay powders, water and other elements to an exact shape, and then fired in a very high-temperature oven, also known as a Kiln. After it's been made it can be sprayed with paint-like or decorative materials to give it a more textured and vibrant look.

Ceramic hobs are an exquisite blend of function and form that can be easily integrated into any modern kitchen. Radiant heating technology is used to heat ceramic hobs by passing an electric current through coiled elements that are concealed beneath the black glass surface. When they are activated, they produce heat which is then transferred to the pan by an infrared system. You can adjust the intensity of this heating by adjusting the controls via knobs or a touch.

Some ceramic hobs are dual ring designs that have one smaller and a larger cooking area which allows you to select the most suitable size for your pan. There are hobs equipped with booster burners that produce high-powered heat in a short time ideal for searing meat or bringing pans of water to a boil quickly.

As compared to other types of hobs, ceramic cooktops typically take longer to warm up and change temperature however once they do, they are generally more efficient in energy use. You can also find vented hobs that integrate a ventilation system within the cooktop's ceramic, making sure that smoke, steam and cooking smells don't linger in your home.

Induction

The heating elements in induction hobs consist of copper wire coils beneath the surface. They generate electromagnets to heat pans sitting on them. The coils stir up free electrons in the base metal of your pan which in turn, distributes heat evenly to your food. The surface of the hob is never hot, and the moment you remove your pan, the cooking zones turn off automatically.

Induction hobs are usually more expensive than other hobs however, they're also more efficient to heat and consume 30 to 70 percent less energy than gas or ceramic hobs. Induction hobs are also simpler to clean since only the interior of the pan heat up but not the surface.

Certain manufacturers have an induction model that comes with extra features, such as a pause function, which cuts the energy to your stove after you have left, or the ability to connect two cooking rings at the same time for greater flexibility. These are often referred to as FlexInduction hobs. They are more expensive than traditional induction models, but they're worth a look if you are a multi-tasker.

This induction hob is our favorite. It comes with four cooking zones as well as a Bridge function and nine power settings, giving you a variety of options for those who are ambitious cooks. In our tests, it performed well with precise control and rapid heating when making pancakes. The cooker comes with dishwasher built-in, as well as automatic pan detection, which makes cleaning much easier. There's a limited range of compatible pans, and it can't be used to cook using appliances that have magnetic bases. This can be a problem when you have a lot of non-compliant cookware, or just some of them are suitable for induction hobs.