Types of Hobs

A hob, also referred to as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electric or flames. There are several different types of hobs, so you can pick one that fits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs are equipped with a flat ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look which can greatly improve the overall look of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, so spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient and can lower your electricity bill. However, one downside of ceramic best hobs uk is that they can be slow in changing temperature settings, which can be frustrating when cooking food that requires an instant reduction or increase in heat.

Electric hobs use plates that are heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be adjusted via the rotary knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs also have very high rate of heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch after being turned off. It is essential to place ceramic Hobs oven in an area that is away from items that could ignite and away from children's reach.

This kind of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops, including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable and is an excellent alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we suggest hiring an electrician professional to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.

This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need 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 isn't the same size as the element, the element won't recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and will make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer a sleek, modern aesthetic. Although they may cost more than electric ones and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to boil within four minutes or less. This type of hob is also a great choice for cooks who want to regulate the amount of heat being generated. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they tend to accumulate grease and residue.

A great example of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. It also comes with the wok ring that has 4kW for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines a stylish slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left side of the gas hob features an inner burner that doubles to increase the distribution of heat and accelerate cooking. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-set settings, like high settings to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.

The simple, yet intuitive controls were appreciated by our testers who found them to be very simple to use. Some minor disadvantages are that you need to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest heating level and it can be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is among the top gas-on glass ovens hobs that are available at a low cost. It's not going to win any design prizes, but it will do the job and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen at just more than 120 pounds.

Electric hobs

Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. They are not only elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. They are designed with a sleek glazed finish, and have a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster feature that lets you increase the heat for a brief duration.

Induction best hobs uk are a different electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a special kind of pan and could be expensive to put in.

Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a different option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. However, this glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much simpler to clean than the typical glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is hot.

While gas hobs remain an option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes some time to get hot and cool off. However, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.

There are even electric stoves that work with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, allowing you the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. It's important to note that these hobs require the installation of an approved gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those who have pacemakers because the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.

Hobs with induction

Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils which run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that directly heat the pan rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't waste any heat.

There are a myriad of models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these premium models come with a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are considered to be more efficient over the long term since they heat up faster and have a smaller surface to heat up, which can help lower your energy costs. They cool quicker and also are more secure without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people. However, they do produce magnetic fields that 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.