Types of Hobs

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

Induction hobs are equipped with a flat ceramic surface and a range of 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 offer a sleek and modern look that can really enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and are able to be cleaned if spills or splatters occur. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your electricity bills. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you have to cook something that requires a quick decrease or an increase in temperature.

Electric hobs utilize a solid plate that is heated by electric elements under. The power of each element can be individually adjusted via rotary knobs. You can even utilize the boost feature to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, and even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge if you have children, so it's recommended to install them in an area that is away from objects that are flammable and not within reach of young children.

This kind of hob is able to be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively affordable and is a great option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.

This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You will need to purchase cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognise it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas-powered glass hobs have a sleek, modern aesthetic. They are more expensive than electric models and require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating and an entire pot of water can typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of stove is also a great choice for cooks who prefer to regulate the amount of heat being generated. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.

This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs for a stylish, sophisticated appearance. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.

This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass with cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings that are located to the left of the hob has the double inner flame to improve uniform heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that lets you control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings, including a high setting for Hobs And ovens searing steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.

Our test participants also liked the controls because they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor disadvantages are the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest temperature and it may be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is one of the Best place to buy oven and hob gas-on-glass hobs oven (click here to read) available at an affordable price. While it's not going to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen at just 120 pounds.

Electric hobs

There are a variety of electric hobs that work for modern homes. They're not just sleek and stylish, but also faster, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They are designed with an elegant glazed finish and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster function that lets you increase your heat for a short time.

Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric and gas plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and have 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. It has a burner underneath an unidirectional glass layer similar to a conventional gas stove. However the glass is shatterproof and heatproof, so it's easier to clean than the typical glass that's tempered. A majority of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.

Gas hobs remain a popular choice for a lot of home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take time to cool down and warm down and their flame can be hard to control. 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 a variety of fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to fit your lifestyle. However, it's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for people with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.

Induction hobs

On the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils create magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, instead of heating the surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy standpoint since there's no heat being wasted.

There are a myriad of models of induction hobs that range from basic ones with only one cooking zone that is marked with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one Flex zone. Certain models have a slider control that is 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. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific 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 energy efficient in the long term. They can heat faster and have a smaller area for heating which can reduce the cost of energy. They also cool faster and have a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or elderly people who live in the house. However, they create magnetic fields that could interfere with some medical devices such as pacemakers so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.

As with all electric hobs you will have to clean your induction hob regularly, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a specialist one to keep your oven and hob in good shape and shiny for a longer time. Make sure you don't use scrubbers or pads to scour your induction hob since they can scratch the surface.