Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, so you can pick one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs have flat ceramic surfaces and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have a sleek and modern look that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that is easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you have to cook something that requires a rapid reduction or increase of heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be controlled separately by rotary knobs and nipped to the power level you require. You can also use the 'boost' feature in order to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have very high rate of heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch after being shut off. This can be a problem if you have children, so it's best to only install them in a location that is well away from any flammable items and away from children.
This kind of hob is able to be used on a variety of worktops including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also quite affordable and is a great alternative if you are looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot of money. As with all appliances, they must 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 the pan's size and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it will not recognise it and won't start to heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in design. While they can be more expensive than electric models and may require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to boil in four minutes or less. This type of hob also works well for cooks who need to control the amount of heat that is generated. However, it must be observed that a glass-based hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and may require cleaning more frequently, as grease and residue build up tends to stick instead of slipping off.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to give it a chic, sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass with cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual rings to the left of the hob has the double inner flame to ensure uniform heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also comes with an indicator for power that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including a high setting for searing steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Its simple yet intuitive controls were liked by our testers who found them to be very easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you need to press the controls nine more times to reach the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
This Neff model is among the best gas-on-glass hobs that are available at a low cost. While it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards, it does the job well and is an excellent addition to your kitchen for just over 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that work for modern homes. They're not only elegant and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. They're made with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also usually fitted with a power boost function, which allows you to increase the heat of your cooker for a short amount of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. This means they are more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a special kind of pan and can be costly to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that is a good option for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it comes with an oven that is surrounded by a layer of flat glass. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs come with the "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the temperature.
While gas hobs are still an option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to warm up and cool down, and their flame can be difficult to manage. Electric hobs on the other hand are more efficient in energy and easier to clean.
For the highest level of modern technology, you can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, providing you with the flexibility needed to fit your lifestyle. It is important to note that these stoves will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and require an appropriate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for those with pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils create an alternating electric oven and hob current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob the coils generate magnetic 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 extremely efficient in energy use, since they don't use any heat.
There are many models of induction stoves, starting with the basic models with a single zone labelled by rings, to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Certain models have a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired level of heat, left to right increases the heat and right to left reduces it. Some models even have pre-programmed 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 area for heating which can reduce the cost of energy. They cool faster and are more secure without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families that have children or elderly residents. However, they create magnetic fields that can cause interference with medical devices, such as pacemakers, therefore it is essential to center your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean, as food and debris can build up over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for longer. Make sure you don't use abrasive cleaners or scouring pads on your induction hob as they can scratch the surface.