Herbert Printz

Types of Hobs

A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are a variety of hobs, and you can pick one that is best hob suited to your preferences and kitchen.

Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic cooking surface and have five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs offer a sleek and modern look that can really enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are fast to heat up and are energy efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to adjust the temperature and can be a hassle when cooking food that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.

Electric hobs are made of a solid plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The elements can be controlled individually by rotary knobs and nipped to the power level you require. You can also use the 'boost' feature to increase the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch even after being shut off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a location that is far from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.

The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be a great alternative if you are looking to replace your stove without spending a lot. Like all appliances, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.

The downside to this kind of hob is that it's sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element will not recognise it and won't begin to heat up the base of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas-powered glass hobs have an elegant, modern look. They can be more expensive than electric hobs, and require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating - an entire pot of water will typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of hob works well for cooks who wish to control the amount of heat that is generated. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they are more likely to accumulate grease and other residue.

One of the best hob uk examples of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs that create a a stylish and sophisticated finish. 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 combines a stylish piece of toughened glass with modern cooking technology. The dual rings that are located to the left of the hob features a double inner flame to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution which increases cooking time. It also has an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine preset settings, including high settings to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.

Our test participants also liked the controls because they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor issues are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest temperature and it may be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.

A few of the top gas on glass hobs are available at affordable prices like this Neff model. While it's unlikely to win any design awards but it can do the job well and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just 120 pounds.

Electric hobs

Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're made with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to smudges and scratches. They also come with a power booster function that allows you to increase the heat for a brief duration.

Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a particular type of pan and could be expensive to put in.

A gas-on-glass hob is another option that is a good option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it comes with a burner beneath the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs come with a "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the heat.

While gas hobs are still an option that is popular with home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and take some time to warm up and cool down. In contrast, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.

You can even find electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to fit your needs. It is important to note that these stoves will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and will require a separate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a stove, the coils produce magnetic fields that produce heat directly within the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are very energy efficient, as they don't waste any heat.

There are a myriad of models of induction stoves starting with the basic models with a single zone labelled by rings, to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to 6 zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these premium models have a touch slider control that looks very similar to how you operate an iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more efficient in the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller area for heating which can lower your energy costs. They also cool faster and have a safer design without hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with children or older people living in the house. However, they do generate magnetic forces that can affect certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.

As with all electric hobs you'll need to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use an oven uk cleaner, or you can invest in a specialist product to keep your stove shiny and in good condition for a longer time. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.