Types of Hobs

A hob, also referred to as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are a variety of hobs, and you can pick one that is best oven suited to your preferences and kitchen.

Induction hobs have flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and come with four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs offer a sleek and modern look which can greatly enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and are able to be cleaned up in the event of spills or splatters. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your electricity bills. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to adjust temperatures which can be a problem when cooking food that requires immediate reduction or an increase in heat.

Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. These elements can be controlled individually by rotary knobs and nipped up to the power level you require. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature in order to increase the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high rate of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch after being turned off. It is important to put ceramic hobs in an area that is safe from items that could ignite and out of reach of children.

The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be installed on a variety of worktops, including laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is an excellent option if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring an electrician professional to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.

This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need to buy cookware that's either the exact same dimensions as the element or that can fit comfortably into each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it will not recognise it and will not begin to heat the base of the pan. This can lead to uneven cooking results and will make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer an elegant, modern look. They are more expensive than electric hobs, and could require professional installation. However, they heat up faster as an entire pot of water can often boil in less than four minutes. This type of stove is ideal for cooks who want to control how much heat is produced. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to accumulate grease and other residue.

A fantastic example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four matt black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs that create a a stylish and 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 combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass with cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left side of the gas hob has two burners inside to improve the distribution of heat and accelerate 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 pre-defined settings, including a high setting for searing steaks and the low setting for scrambled eggs.

Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and easy to use. Some minor issues include the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest heating level and it may be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.

Some of the best hobs gas-on-glass hobs are available for an affordable price, such as this Neff model. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are a number of electric hobs that are ideal for modern households. They're not only sleek and stylish, they are they are also more efficient, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most popular electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature a surface 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 that is ideal for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However they require a particular type of pan to work with them and are costly to install.

Gas on glass hobs are another great option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under a flat glass layer, similar to a conventional gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs also come with a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the oven is hot.

While gas hobs are still an option that is popular with home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take an extended time to warm up and cool down. On the other hand, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.

For the ultimate in modern technology You can also find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, so you'll have the flexibility to fit your needs. However, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a specific 6mm cable for your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.

Induction hobs

Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a hob the coils generate magnetic fields that create heat directly within the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy perspective because there's no leftover heat being wasted.

There are many different models of induction hobs starting from basic ones that have only one cooking zone that is marked with rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs that have up to six zones, allowing you to cook several pots at once on a flex zone. Some of these premium models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar located in the middle to select the desired heat level left to right increases the heat and right to left decreases it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are considered to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help lower your energy costs. They cool down faster, and they are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them ideal for families that have children or elderly residents. However, they create magnetic fields that can affect medical devices like pacemakers therefore it is essential to center your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.

Like all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean regularly since food particles ovens and hobs 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 condition and shiny for longer. Make sure you don't use scrubbers or pads for scouring on your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.