Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans using electricity or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, and you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs are equipped with an elongated ceramic surface and either four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electricity bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they may be slow to adjust the temperature which can be a problem if you're cooking something that requires immediate reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. These elements can be controlled separately by rotary knobs and nipped to the power level you require. You can even use the 'boost' feature to increase the temperature of a single area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, and even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This could be a problem for families with children, so it's best to place them in an area that is well away from any flammable items and away from little ones.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be a great option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we suggest hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.
This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You'll need cookware that's the exact size as the element, or that will fit comfortably inside each of the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it will not recognize it and won't begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in appearance. While they can be more expensive than electric ones and require professional installation, they often require less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to come to a boil within four minutes or less. This type of hob is also a good choice for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat generated. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they are more likely to accumulate grease and sludge.
This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal to give it a chic, sophisticated finish. It also has the wok ring that has 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left of the gas hob has two burners inside to increase the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also features an easy-to-read power indicator that allows you to regulate the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, including high settings to sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.
The simple, yet intuitive controls were liked by our testers, who found them to be extremely easy to use. Some minor issues are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest temperature, and that it can be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is one of the top gas-on-glass hobs that are available at an affordable price. It's not likely to win any design awards however it's going to do the job and can be an excellent addition to your kitchen at just above 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern homes. They're not just elegant 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 designed with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface resistant to smudges and scratches. They also come with a power booster function which allows you to boost your heat for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and have precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and can be costly to install.
Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it features an oven that is surrounded by an underlying layer of flat glass. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempered glass. read more Many of these hobs also come with a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the oven is hot.
Although gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes some time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs, on the other side, are more energy efficient and easy to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can also find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to note that these stoves will require the installation of an approved gas safe engineer and will require an appropriate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils run an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a hob the coils produce magnetic fields that generate heat directly within the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from a energy point of view because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously in one flex space. Some of these models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar in the middle to select the desired temperature left to right increases heat and right to left decreases it. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for certain recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are more efficient in the long term. They heat up faster and have a smaller area for heating which could reduce your energy costs. They cool faster and also are more secure without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people. However, they create a magnetic field which could cause interference with 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 will need to clean your induction hob regularly, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can make use of a basic oven cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your stove in good shape and shiny for longer. You should never use the abrasive cleaning products or the a scouring pad on your stove, as they can scratch the surface.