Types of Hobs

A hob, also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using flames or electricity. There are many different kinds of hobs available, so you can pick one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.

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

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern and sleek design. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can easily be cleaned when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to reduce your energy bills. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a problem when you are cooking something that requires a rapid decrease or an increase in temperature.

Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted by the rotary knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, and even after they are turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. This could be a problem if you have children, so it's best to place them in an area which is far from objects that are flammable and away from little ones.

The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety of worktops, such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable and is an excellent alternative if you're trying to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. As with all appliances, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.

A downside of this type of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that's either exactly the same size as the element or that can fit comfortably into each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, it will not recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in design. They are more expensive than electric models and could require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating and the water in a full pot can often boil within less than four minutes. This type of hob also is a great choice for cooks who wish to control how much heat is generated. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and other residue.

A fantastic example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs to create a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also comes with the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easier to keep clean.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is an attractive slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual rings that are located to the left of the hob features the double inner flame to ensure uniform heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also features a handy power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including a high setting for searing a steak and an option for scrambled eggs.

Its simple yet easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them be very simple to use. Some minor issues include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest temperature, and that it can be difficult to discern the state of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is among the best gas-on-glass hobs that you can buy at a reasonable price. While it's unlikely to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, they here are also faster, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're designed with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to smudges or scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost feature, which allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a brief period of time.

Induction hobs are another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a special kind of pan and can be costly to install.

Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it features the burner underneath the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs have an "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the heat.

Gas hobs remain a popular choice for a lot of home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and can take a long time to heat up and cool off. However electric hobs are efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.

For the highest level of modern efficiency You can also find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, allowing you the flexibility needed to meet your needs. It is important to note, however, that these hobs need to be installed by an accredited gas safe engineer. They also require a separate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.

Induction hobs

On the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils which run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob the coils create magnetic fields that produce heat directly in the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy point of view since there's no heat that is wasted.

There are a myriad of models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone labelled by rings up to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these premium models have a touch slider control that resembles to the way you use on an iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models have preset settings for certain recipes or food types, which can save time in the kitchen.

Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are thought to be more efficient in the long run because they heat up quicker and have a smaller area to heat up which could help you save on energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with young children or elderly persons who live in the house. They do, however, generate magnetic forces that can interfere with certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.

Like all electric hobs, you will have to clean your electric hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to help keep your hob clean and in good shape for longer. It is not recommended to use any abrasive cleaning product or scouring pad on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.