Why You'll Want To Learn More About Hobs Oven
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 a variety of hobs, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic cooking surface and come with five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer an elegant and contemporary look which can greatly enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, so spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient and can lower your electricity bill. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing temperature settings, which can be frustrating when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs use plates that are heated by electric elements beneath. They can be controlled individually by rotary knobs and nipped up to the level of power you require. You can even utilize the boost feature to increase the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, and even after they have been turned off, they'll be hot to the touch. It's important to install ceramic hobs in a place that is far from flammable items and out of reach of children.
The benefit of this type of hob is that it can be installed on a variety worktops such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and can be a great option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we suggest hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need to buy cookware that is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, the element won't recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.
hob uk on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer an elegant, modern look. While they be more expensive than electric models and 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 wish to limit the amount of heat is generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and will likely require cleaning more frequently, as grease and residue build up tends to remain instead of slipping off.
This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners that are matte black with metal control knobs for a stylish, sophisticated appearance. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob offers an inner flame that doubles to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also has an excellent power level indicator, which helps to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing steaks and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our testers also liked 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 it may be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.
Some of the top gas-on-glass hobs can be found at an affordable price like this Neff model. While it's unlikely to win any design awards, it does the job well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen for less than PS120.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are perfect for modern households. Not only do they have an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functionality that is safer, more efficient and energy-efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic hob. These hobs have an elegant glazed finish and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster feature which allows you to boost the heat for a brief time.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. They are therefore more energy efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to function and are costly to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is another option that's a great choice for modern homes. It has a burner underneath a flat glass layer, like a traditional gas stove. However the glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much easier to clean than standard glass that's tempered. Many of these hobs have an "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the temperature.
Although gas hobs are an option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They can take a long time to cool down and warm down and their flames can be difficult to manage. Electric hobs on the other side are more efficient in energy and are easier to clean.
There are electric stoves that work with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, allowing you the flexibility needed to fit your lifestyle. However, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and will require a specific 6mm cable for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers because the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Hobs with induction
On the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that generate an alternating electrical current. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils produce magnetic fields which directly heat the pan rather than heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are efficient in energy use, since they don't use any heat.
There are many models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more advanced multi zoned induction stoves that have up to six zones that allow multiple pots to cook simultaneously within a flex area. Certain models feature a slider control that is 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 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, but they are thought to be more energy efficient over the long term since they heat up faster and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help reduce your energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or older people living in the house. They do, however, generate a magnetic force that could interfere with certain medical devices, such as pacemakers. It is therefore important to center pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or you can invest in a specialist product to keep your hob shiny and in good condition for longer. Just be sure to never use abrasive cleaners or pads for scouring on your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.