Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans with flame or electricity. There are several different types of hobs, and you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic cooking surface and have five or four zones for heating your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and stylish 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, so spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a hassle when you need to cook something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually by rotary knobs. You can even utilize the boost feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. This can be a problem if you have children, so it's best to install them in a place that is well away from flammable objects and out of reach of little ones.
This kind of hob is able to be used on a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively affordable and can be a great alternative if you're trying to replace your old hobs, but without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be installed correctly 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 pan sizes and shapes. It is essential to purchase cookware that matches the element precisely or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it will not recognise it and won't start to heat up the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove 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 require professional installation. However they heat up faster and an entire pot of water can typically boil within less than four minutes. This kind of stove is also a great choice for cooks who like to limit the amount of heat produced. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and will likely need to be cleaned more often, as the accumulation of grease and residue tends to remain instead of slipping off.
A great example of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs to create an elegant and sophisticated look. It also includes a 4kW wok ring to increase versatility, and dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easy to clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings that are located to the left here of the hob has the double inner flame to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution and increases cooking time. It also features an easy-to-read power indicator that lets you control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including the high setting for searing steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test participants also liked the controls because they were simple and easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you have to press the controls nine times before reaching the maximum heating level and that 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 are that are available at a low cost. While it's not going to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be 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 households. They're not just sleek and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. These hobs have a sleek glazed finish, and have a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost function which lets you increase the heat of your hob for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means they are more energy-efficient and have precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan and can be costly to install.
Gas on glass hobs are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it has a burner beneath an underlying layer of flat glass. However the glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much simpler to clean than the typical glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs have a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the oven is hot.
Gas hobs remain a preferred choice for many home chefs however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes a long time to get hot and cool off. However electric hobs are efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can also find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to meet your needs. It is important to note that these stoves will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer. They also require a dedicated cable of 6mm for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Under the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that generate an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob, the coils produce magnetic fields which direct heat the pan, instead of heating the surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are very efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't use any heat.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves, from the basic ones with a single zone identified by rings up to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones and allow multiple pots to be cooked 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 at the middle to choose the desired level of heat, left to right boosts heat and right-to-left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings that are specific to food items or recipes which can help you save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more efficient in the long run. They are more efficient in heating and have a smaller heating space which can lower the cost of energy. They also cool faster and have a more secure design without hot plates, making them ideal for families with young children or elderly persons who live in the house. However, they can create magnetic fields that could interfere with some medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you will have to clean your electric hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or invest in a specialist product to help keep your hob shiny and in good condition for a longer time. Avoid using the abrasive cleaning products or the scratching pads on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.