Leave a Pot on the Hob

The recipes of Nigella often advise you to 'leave a pot on the hob however what does this mean? A hob, also known as stovetop or cooktop in British English, can be gas or electric.

Dual fuel cookers mix gas hobs with an electric oven and hob to provide the best ovens and hobs of both. They can offer instant heat but are more costly to operate than single fuel models.

Solid plate hobs

Solid plate hobs have been a staple of homes for a long time. They are an excellent choice for those looking to save money. Their design is flat metal plates which heat up by using electricity. Their low initial cost can lead to higher energy bills in the future due to their inefficient use. These hobs also require a significant amount of residual heat which means they take longer to heat up and cool down than their modern counterparts.

A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic one which is more expensive to purchase, but much cheaper to operate. Hobs made of ceramic come in different styles, including flat and curvy. They can be used with ovens of various sizes and shapes to fit any kitchen layout. Furthermore, they're easy to clean and fit seamlessly into modern homes.

The next step up is the induction hob which uses electromagnetic fields to heat your cookware directly. This means that the surface stays cool, reducing the chance of burns that happen accidentally and making it safer for young kids to be around. Additionally induction hobs are among the fastest of all types to heat up and cool down.

When deciding which type of hob to buy it is important to think about your cooking habits and energy requirements. Solid plate hobs are cheap, but they are not efficient. Ceramic and gas hobs, on the contrary on the other hand, are more expensive but are more efficient. Induction hobs are a great compromise, as they combine effectiveness with a stylish appearance.

Gas hobs

The best gas stoves are easy-to-use, stylish and have a durable appearance. They should come with a long-lasting warranty and be easy to clean. They should also be compatible with a variety of cookware, and provide instant heat control.

Gas hobs operate by connecting each burner to a gas source, which then ignites the fuel and produces a flame. The flame warms both the air and the pan, allowing for accurate temperature control. Certain models come with a visible flame indicator, making it easy to tell when the burners are on or off. Gas hobs also come with multiple burners of different sizes, automatic ignition, and a drip pan that can be removed.

Modern gas hobs can be purchased with a ceramic or stainless steel top. Some even have an elegant black finish. Based on the style of kitchen there is also the option to choose vented or open-burner gas hobs. Open-burner gas stoves do not include an extractor that takes the steam and smoke from the cooking pans.

Open-burner hobs have a classic appearance with a metal knobs and grates while vented hobs look more modern and have a glass-like surface that is flat. Some models also come with pan supports that are wider, which is great for larger pots and pans.

Gas hobs are still in high demand despite the rise of electric hobs, such as induction and ceramic. This is due in part to consumer preferences and familiarity with gas cooking. Many government regulations encourage the phase-out of appliances that are based on fossil fuels and the use of energy-efficient alternatives.

All gas-powered hobs require electrical components in order to function, therefore it is essential to have your gas hob installed by a qualified electrician and carpenter who will ensure all installations are secure and conform to industry standards. If you are installing a gas hob your electrician will have to route an electrical power cable and a gas pipe into your kitchen. In the majority of instances, this is simple and won't alter your existing electrical or plumbing connections.

Ceramic hobs

Along with an attractive, sleek finish ceramic hobs are easy to clean and more energy efficient than gas hobs. They work with high-powered heating elements beneath the surface of each zone. These then transmit the heat through the glass to the pan that is above. This reduces energy waste as it only requires the power needed to heat the pan directly and not the air surrounding it. They are also simple to control and respond quickly to temperature changes.

The flat surface of a ceramic cooker is easy to wipe down spills and splatters can be cleaned off with a clean cloth as they cool. It is important to remember that they're not suitable for a humid or hot kitchen because the glass may crack and become discolored.

The majority of people aren't concerned about the fact that ceramic hobs create some heat under the surface. The majority of models come with cooling fans to manage the heat under the surface and prevent it from affecting kitchens and workspaces. They also have insulation to limit heat transfer from the stove to your kitchen.

Ceramic hobs are also more flexible than induction hobs that require certain types of magnetically conductive cookware. However, it's recommended to avoid using any cast iron cookware on a ceramic hob because it could scratch the surface.

Many ceramic hobs are equipped with a range of safety features like residual heat indicators, as well as lockout functions to help minimise accidents in the kitchen. Some have even 'overflow safety which detects when a pot is boiling and will automatically reduce the power to the zone to minimize the risk of damage and create a mess. Similar to electric cookers in general it is essential to ensure that a ceramic hob is correctly installed and equipped with the appropriate breakers and cables to ensure complete safety. It's best to delegate this to a qualified electrical engineer so that you can be sure that your ceramic cooker is safe and reliable.

Induction hobs

Like their name implies they feature coils underneath the surface which generate magnetic fields that generate heat in the pan or any metal objects placed on it. They use less power than other kinds of electric hobs due to the fact that they remain cool until a pan is placed set on them, and they are more efficient in heating up a pan since the heat produced is sourced from the bottom of the pan, rather than the entire cooktop.

Like gas hobs, induction models come with a control panel where you can choose your settings and see how much power you're using. However, unlike a traditional gas hob they only work with cookware that is compatible with their electromagnetic heating mechanism which means that it has to have an even, flat thick base made from ferrous metal (iron) or cast iron. Stainless steel and a few non-stick cookwares work, but make sure you check the label or use a magnet on the base to ensure your cookware is compatible with induction.

Induction hobs are a popular choice for shared student halls or iQ Student accommodation penthouses. They come with sleek LCD displays, and their contemporary designs blend seamlessly into modern kitchens. They're safer than gas hobs with traditional designs because they only get hot when they are placed on them, and they stop automatically when the pan is removed.

Induction hobs operate similar to the controls on an iPhone. A swipe gesture on the slider will set your preferred temperature level. Alternatively, there are usually up and down buttons on the control panel to alter the power level or a dial that is tapped for precise temperature control.

Some models come with a dual flex-zone that allows you to join two zones to create a larger area to cook larger pots. Certain models feature an automatic shut-off as well as an indicator of residual heat. Others also have a timer that can notify you when food is ready. Induction hobs all emit low-level magnetic fields at frequencies in the kilohertz spectrum which can cause problems for certain medical devices like pacemakers, so it's important to keep them away from your body when they are not being used.