Types of Hobs

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

Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be wiped down in the event of spills or splatters. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps lower your electric bill. However, one drawback 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 increase in temperature.

Electric hobs are made of an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The power of each element can be adjusted individually via the rotary knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature in order to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, and even after they've been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. It is important to put ceramic hobs in a location that is safe from items that could ignite ovens and hobs away from children's reach.

The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be set up on a variety of worktops, such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be a great alternative if you are looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, so we recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.

The downside to this kind of hob is that it's very sensitive to pan size and shape. You'll need cookware that's either the exact same size as the element or that is able to fit in each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, the element won't recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent results in cooking and makes the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Glass hobs with gas are sleek ovens and hobs uk contemporary in appearance. They are more expensive than electric models and may require professional installations. However they heat up faster - the water in a full pot can typically boil in less than four minutes. This kind of hob is a great choice for cooks who need to control the amount of heat that is produced. However, it should be observed that a glass-based hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel ones and will require cleaning more frequently, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of sliding off.

This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners that are matte black with metal control knobs to give it a chic, sophisticated appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.

Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the hob offers the double inner flame to improve uniform heat distribution, which in turn accelerates cooking time. It also has a handy power level indicator, which helps to regulate the exact temperature of your flame. You can select from nine pre-set settings, like high settings to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.

Its simple yet intuitive controls were appreciated by our testers who found them be extremely easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you must press the controls a further nine times before reaching the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern the burners' actions.

Some of the best hob gas on glass hobs are available at an affordable price like this Neff model. While it's not going to be a winner of any design awards, it does the job well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen at just 120 pounds.

Electric hobs

Electric hobs are a great choice for modern homes. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits into the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more efficient in energy use than their predecessors.

One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They're made with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges or scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost feature that allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a brief period of time.

Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. Unlike traditional gas and Gas Cooker electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work with them and are costly to install.

Gas on glass hobs are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it features the burner underneath an underlying layer of flat glass. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs come with the "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.

Gas Hobs Oven remain a popular choice for a lot of home cooks However, they can be noisy and hard to clean. They can take a long time to cool down and warm down and their flame can be difficult to control. Electric hobs on the other hand are more energy efficient and easier to clean.

You can even find electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to adapt to your lifestyle. It's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're not suitable for those with pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.

Hobs with induction

Under the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that generate an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a hob the coils generate magnetic fields that create heat directly inside the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). Induction hobs oven are efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't waste any heat.

There are a myriad of models of induction hobs, from basic entry level ones with a single cooking zone marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots at once on a flexible zone. Certain models come with a touch-slider control that is very similar to how you operate an iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar located 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 believed to be more energy efficient in the long run as they heat up much faster and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help you save on energy bills. They also cool faster and have a safer design without hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or older people who live in the house. However, they can create magnetic fields that can cause interference with medical devices like pacemakers so it's important to center your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs you'll need to keep your induction hob clean, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or opt for a specialist product to keep your hob clean and in good shape for a longer time. Just be sure to never use abrasive cleaners or pads for scouring on your induction hob as they can scratch the surface.