Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric or flames. There are many different types of hobs. You can pick the one that best fits your kitchen and design.
Induction hobs are equipped with flat ceramic surfaces and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide an elegant and contemporary look that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that is easy to clean, which means spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient and can lower your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing the temperature settings. This can be a problem when you have to cook something that requires a rapid reduction or increase of heat.
Electric hobs are made of a solid plate that is heated by electric elements under. The elements can be controlled individually with rotary knobs, and then tacked to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even when they are turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a problem if you have children, so it's advisable to place them in a place that is away from any flammable items and not within reach of children.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be installed in a variety of worktops, including laminate or solid wood, as well as 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 do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need to buy cookware that is either exactly the same dimensions as the element or that can fit comfortably into the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it will not recognize it and won't start to heat the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer modern, sleek design. While they cost more than electric ones and require professional installation, they typically take less time to heat up - it's not unusual for a full pan of water to be boiling in four minutes or less. This type of stove is a great choice for cooks who want to control the amount of heat that is produced. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to accumulate grease and residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners that are matte black with metal control knobs to create a sleek, elegant look. The wok ring is 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It combines a fashionable piece of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. hobs oven to the left of the gas hob has two burners inside to increase heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also comes with a handy power indicator that allows you to regulate the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including the high setting for searing steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls as they were easy to use and intuitive. A few minor drawbacks are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest heating level and it can be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.
A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available at affordable prices like this Neff model. Although 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 less than 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, they are also faster, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most well-known electric hobs is a ceramic hob. These hobs have an elegant glazed finish and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster function which allows you to boost your heat for a short duration.
Induction hobs are another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. Induction hobs cook your food directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. They are therefore more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and can be costly to install.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered 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, making it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. A majority of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is hot.
Gas hobs remain a popular choice for many home chefs, but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and take some time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs on the other side, are more energy efficient and easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency, you can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, allowing you the flexibility you need to meet your needs. However, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people who have pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
On the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils which run an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields which heat the pan directly instead of heating the surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient from a energy standpoint, as there's no residual heat being wasted.
There are many models of induction stoves starting with the basic models with a single zone labelled by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to six zones and allow for multiple pots to cook simultaneously within a flex area. Certain models have an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar at the middle to choose the desired heat level, left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Certain models have preset settings for certain recipes or food types which can help you save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are believed to be more efficient over the long term since they heat up quicker and have a smaller surface for heating up which can help lower your energy costs. They also cool down quicker and feature a safer design with no hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people who live in the house. However, they do create a magnetic force that could cause interference with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger 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 use a regular oven cleaner, or you can opt for a specialist product to keep your hob clean and in good shape for a longer time. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaning products or scratching pads on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.