Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electricity or flames. There are several different types of hobs, so you can pick one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic cooking surface and have four or five zones for heating your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have an elegant and contemporary look which can greatly enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned if spills or splatters occur. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to lower your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you are cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase of heat.
Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually through rotary knobs. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature to boost the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even after they have been turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. This can be a problem for families with children, so it's recommended to only install them in a place which is far from any flammable items and out of reach of children.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be put in on a variety worktops, including laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also quite affordable and is a great option if you want to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains, and we recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that's either the exact same dimensions as the element or that is able to fit in the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element will not recognize it and won't begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in design. They can be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating as an entire pot of water can often boil in less than four minutes. This type of hob also works well for cooks who want to control how much heat is generated. However, it must be not forgotten that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and will likely need to be cleaned more frequently, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to remain rather than slide off.
A fantastic example of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring is 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual rings that are located on the left of the hob has a double inner flame to improve even heat distribution and accelerates cooking time. It also has a handy power indicator that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine pre-set settings, like high settings to sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.
Best ovens UK liked the controls, as they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor drawbacks are that you need to press the controls a further nine times before reaching the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on glass hobs that you can buy at a reasonable price. While it's not going to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is a fantastic addition to your kitchen for less than 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. They're not just elegant and stylish, but also faster, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. They're made with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. They're also often equipped with a power boost function which lets you increase the temperature of your stove for a short amount of time.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and have precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to function and can be costly to set up.
Gas on glass hobs are a different option for modern homes. It features a burner beneath an unidirectional glass layer like a traditional gas stove. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs also include a 'hot-surface indicator' that warns you when the oven is hot.
Gas hobs remain a popular option for many home cooks However, they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take an extended time to get hot and cool off. However electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to suit your lifestyle. It's important to note that these hobs will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and will require an appropriate cable of 6mm for your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers since the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Under the glass surface of the induction hobs, there are copper coils that generate an alternating electrical current. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a stove, 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 extremely energy efficient, as they don't squander heat.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves, from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone identified by rings to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves with up to 6 zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked within a flex area. Certain models come with a touch-slider control that resembles to the way you use an iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. 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, hop over to this web-site are more efficient in the long term. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller area for heating which could reduce the cost of energy. They cool quicker and have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families that have children or elderly people. However, they can create magnetic fields that can affect medical devices like pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll have to clean your induction hob regularly, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaning product or purchase a specialist one to keep your oven in good shape and shiny for a longer time. You should never use abrasive cleaning products or scratching pads on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.