Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using flames or electricity. There are several different types of hobs, and you can pick one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have a flat ceramic cooking surface and come with four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer an elegant and contemporary look that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that is easy to clean, which means spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your electricity bills. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you are cooking something that requires quick reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs are made of a solid plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted via rotating knobs. You can even use the 'boost' feature to increase the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have very high rate of heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a place that is safe from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops such as laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be an excellent option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. Like all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. You'll need cookware that's the exact dimensions as the element or that is able to fit in each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, the element won't recognise it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent results in cooking and makes the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer a sleek, modern aesthetic. They are more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster as a full pot of water can typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of hob is also a great option for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat being produced. However, it should be observed that a glass-based hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and may need to be cleaned more often, since the accumulation of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of sliding off.
One of the best examples of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left side of the gas hob provides a double inner burner to increase heat distribution and increase the speed of cooking. It also has an excellent power level indicator that assists in regulating the precise temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as high settings to sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled egg.
Our testers also liked the controls, as they were simple and easy to use. A few minor issues are that you have to press the controls nine more times to reach the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is one of the best gas-on-glass hobs that are available at a low cost. It's not going to win any design prizes, but it will perform the task and be a great addition to your kitchen for just over PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. They're not only elegant and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature which allows you to boost the heat for a brief period of time.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a certain kind of pan to work with them and can be expensive to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that's a great option for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it has a burner beneath a layer of flat glass. However, this glass is heatproof and shatterproof, so it's much simpler to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator' that warns 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 heat up and cool down and their flames can be difficult to control. Electric hobs, on other hand, are more efficient in energy and are easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility needed to adapt to your lifestyle. However, it's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
On the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that generate an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a hob, the coils produce magnetic oven with hob fields that produce heat directly inside the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are very energy efficient, as they don't waste any heat.
There are a myriad of models of an induction hob, from basic entry level ones that have only one cooking zone marked by 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 flexible zone. Some of these premium models have a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can select 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 items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more energy efficient in the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating space which can lower the cost of energy. They cool down faster, and they have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families with children or elderly residents. However, they do generate an electric force that could affect certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you will have to clean your electric hob regularly, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or opt for a specialist product to help keep your hob clean and in good shape for a longer time. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or scouring pad on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.