Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are several different types of hobs available, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with flat ceramic surfaces and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and stylish, and easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek design. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can quickly be cleaned up when spills or splatters happen. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you have to cook something that requires a quick reduction or increase of temperature.
Electric hobs are made up of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. These elements can be controlled separately by rotary knobs and nipped up to the level of power you require. You can even use the 'boost' feature in order to increase the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, and even after they've been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a location that is far from flammable items and out of reach of children.
The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be put in in a variety of worktops, such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It's also reasonably priced and is an excellent alternative if you're trying to replace your old hobs, but without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they do need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.
The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to pan size and shape. You'll need to buy cookware that's either exactly the same dimensions as the element or that can fit comfortably into the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element will not recognize it and won't begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in appearance. They are more expensive than electric hobs, and may require professional installations. However, they heat up faster and a full pot of water will typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This type of hob also is ideal for cooks who wish to control the amount of heat that is generated. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require frequent cleaning as they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.
A great example of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass with cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left side of the gas hob features an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and speed up cooking. It also features an easy-to-read power level indicator, which helps to regulate the exact temperature of your flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings, including a high setting for searing a steak and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls, as they were simple and intuitive. Some minor issues include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest level of heating, and that it can be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are available at an affordable price. It's not likely to win any design prizes however it's going to serve its purpose and be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just over 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. Not only do they have a sleek design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide modern technology that is safer, more efficient and energy-efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most well-known electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They're constructed with a sleek glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface resistant to smudges or scratches. They're also usually fitted with a power boost feature which lets you increase the heat of your hob for a short period of time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob perfect for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a special kind of pan and can be costly to install.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that's an excellent option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under the glass, which is flat, like a traditional gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs have the "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the temperature.
Gas hobs remain a preferred option for many home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. They also take a while to warm up and cool down, and their flame can be difficult to control. In contrast, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
There are electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to suit your lifestyle. It's important to note, however, that these hobs will require the installation of an approved gas safe engineer and will require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field may 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 dish is placed on a stove, the coils produce 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 energy efficient, as they don't waste any heat.
There are many models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone marked by rings, to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these premium models come with the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for certain 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 thought to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up faster and have a smaller surface to heat up, which can help you save on energy bills. They also cool quicker here and feature a safer design without hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people living in the house. However, they do create magnetic forces that can interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you will need to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to help keep your hob sparkling and in good order for a longer time. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or a scouring pad on your stove, as they can scratch the surface.