Types of Hobs

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

Induction ovens hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and stylish, and easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can easily be cleaned in the event of spills or splatters. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient and can lower your electricity bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow in changing temperatures which can be a problem when cooking something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.

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 individually through rotary knobs. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even after they've been shut off, they will still be hot to the touch. This can be a problem if you have children, so it's best to only install them in an area which is far from objects that are flammable and away from little ones.

This kind of hob can be used on a variety of worktops such as laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and is an excellent option if you're looking to replace your old hobs, but without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that your new Hobs Oven are safe to use.

This kind of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that is either the exact same dimensions as the element or that will fit comfortably inside each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware doesn't fit, then the element will not recognise it and won't begin to heat the base of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in look. They can be more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster - a full pot of water can often boil in less than four minutes. This type of hob also is ideal for cooks who want to control the amount of heat that is produced. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require frequent cleaning as they are more likely to accumulate grease and other residue.

This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant finish. It also has an oblong wok ring with 4kW for additional versatility, as well as dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easy to clean.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob features a double inner flame to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also has a handy power level indicator, which assists in regulating the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.

The simple and Oven With Hob easy-to-use controls were also appreciated by our testers, who found them to be very easy to use. Some minor disadvantages are the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest heating level and it can be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is among the best hob uk gas-on-glass hobs that you can buy at a reasonable price. While it's unlikely to win any design awards but it can do the job well and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen for less than PS120.

Electric hobs

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

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster feature that lets you increase your heat for a short period of time.

Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional gas and electric plates. 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 a second option that is a good option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has an oven that is surrounded by the glass is a flat layer. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs also have a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the hob is hot.

Gas hobs remain a popular choice for many home chefs, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take time to heat up and cool down, and their flame can be difficult to manage. In contrast, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.

To achieve the highest level of modern efficiency, you can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility needed to meet your needs. It's important to note, however, that these stoves will require installation by an approved gas safe engineer and will require an appropriate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Under the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils that run an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields that directly heat the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are very efficient in energy use, since they don't squander heat.

There are a myriad of models of induction hob, from basic entry level ones that have only one cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots at once on a flex zone. Some of these models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by moving 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 items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are considered to be more efficient in the long run as they heat up much faster and use a smaller space to heat up, which can help reduce your energy bills. They cool down faster and are more secure without hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families with children or elderly residents. However, they do produce an electric force that could affect certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with 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 regular oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your stove sparkling and in good order for a longer time. Make sure you don't use abrasive cleaners or pads to scour your induction hob as they can scratch the surface.