Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans by using electricity or flames. There are a variety of hobs, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and include five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and they 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 are able to be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing the temperature, which can be frustrating if you're cooking something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs are comprised of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted via rotating knobs. You can also use the 'boost' feature in order to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge when you have children, so it's recommended to only install them in an area that is well away from any flammable items and not within reach of children.
This kind of hob can be used on a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and is a great option if you want to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. Like all appliances, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to pan size and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element won't recognize it and won't start to heat up the base of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent results in cooking and makes the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas-powered glass hobs have an elegant, modern look. They can be more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However they are also more efficient in heating as an entire pot of water will typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of stove is also a great option for cooks who prefer to limit the amount of heat produced. However, it must be observed that a glass-based hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and will require cleaning more frequently, as the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of slipping off.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners finished in matt black with metal control knobs to create a sleek, elegant look. The wok ring is 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass with modern cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left side of the gas hob has a double inner burner to improve the distribution of heat and increase the speed of cooking. It also features an easy-to-read power indicator that lets you control the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine preset settings, including the highest setting for sear steaks and a low one for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were liked by our testers who found them to be very simple to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you need to press the controls nine more times before reaching the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is among the best gas-on-glass hobs that are available at a low cost. It's not going to win any design awards but it'll serve its purpose and be a great addition to your kitchen for just more than 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern homes. They are not only sleek and stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also often equipped with a power boost feature, which allows you to increase the temperature of your stove for a short amount of time.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy-efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a certain type of pan to work with them and can be read more expensive to set up.
Gas on glass hobs are a great alternative for modern homes. It has a burner underneath an unidirectional glass layer like a traditional gas stove. However it's shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much simpler to clean than standard glass that's tempered. Many of these hobs also include a 'hot-surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is heated.
Gas hobs remain a preferred option for many home cooks, but they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and can take a long time to heat up and cool off. On the other hand, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
For the highest level of modern technology You can also find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to fit your lifestyle. It's important to keep in mind that these hobs need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're not suitable for those with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field could 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 dish is placed on a hob, the coils create magnetic fields that produce heat directly in the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't waste any heat.
There are many different models of induction hob starting from basic ones that have one cooking zone that is with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots simultaneously in 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 in the middle. Certain models have preset settings that are specific to food items or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are believed to be more efficient in the long run as they heat up much faster and use a smaller space to heat up which could help reduce your energy bills. They also cool faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with young children or elderly persons who live in the house. However, they do produce magnetic fields that can interfere with some medical devices like pacemakers so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll need to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can either use a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your oven in good shape and shiny for longer. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaning products or scouring pad on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.