This Is How Hobs Oven Will Look In 10 Years' Time
Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, so you can pick one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have a flat ceramic surface and either 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 and sleek design. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned in the event of spills or splatters. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient which helps lower your electric bill. Ceramic hobs aren't always fast when changing temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you are cooking something that requires a quick decrease or an increase in the heat.
Electric hobs use plates that are heated by electric elements beneath. These elements can be controlled separately with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the level of power you require. You can also use the 'boost' feature to increase the temperature of a single area. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, and even after they've been shut off, they'll be hot to the touch. This can be a problem when you have children, so it's advisable to only install them in a location which is far from any flammable items and out of reach of little ones.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be set up on a variety worktops such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and is a great option if you want to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. As with any appliance, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element will not recognize it and won't 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
Glass hobs made of gas have a sleek and modern look. While they can be more expensive than electric models and may require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a full pan of water to boil within four minutes or less. This type of hob also is ideal for cooks who need to control how much heat is generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and will likely need to be cleaned more frequently, as grease and residue build up tends to stick instead of sliding off.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant look. It also includes a 4kW wok ring for added versatility, plus dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easy to clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines an attractive slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the hob offers a double inner flame to ensure even heat distribution which speeds up cooking times. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, including a high setting for searing steaks and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Its simple yet intuitive controls were liked by our testers, who found them to be very easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you have to press the controls nine times before reaching the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
A few of the top gas on glass hobs are available at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. While it's unlikely to win any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and is an excellent addition to your kitchen for less than PS120.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that work for modern homes. Not only do they offer an elegant design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functions that are safer, more efficient and energy-efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic hob. These hobs are designed with a sleek glazed finish, and have an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster function which allows you to boost the heat for a short duration.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs heat cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional gas and electric plates. They are therefore more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However, they require a specific kind of pan to work with them and can be expensive to install.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a different option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under a flat glass layer, similar to a conventional gas stove. However the glass is heatproof and shatterproof, so it's much simpler to clean than the typical tempered glass. A lot of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is hot.
Although gas hobs are an option that is popular with home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes an extended time to get hot and cool off. On the other hand electric hobs are efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, so you can adjust your cooking to suit your lifestyle. However, it's important to keep in mind that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are not suitable for those who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
Under the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that run an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields that direct heat the pan, instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely efficient in terms of energy efficiency, since they don't squander heat.
There are a variety of models of induction hobs starting from basic ones that have only one cooking zone marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook multiple pots at once on a flexible zone. Some of these 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 sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models have preset settings for specific food items or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are more efficient in the long term. They can heat faster and have a smaller area for heating which can reduce the cost of energy. They cool quicker and have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with elderly or children. However, they can create magnetic fields that could interfere with some medical devices such as pacemakers so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs you'll need to clean your induction hob regularly, as food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or you can invest in a specialist product to keep your stove sparkling and in good order for a longer time. Just be sure to never use abrasive cleaners or pads to scour your induction hob since they can scratch the surface.