Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electricity or flames. There are several different types of hobs available, so you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and have four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have an elegant and contemporary look that can enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can easily be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can help to lower your electric bill. However, one drawback of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to adjust the temperature, which can be frustrating when cooking food that requires immediate reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs are made of an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements under. These elements can be individually controlled with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can even use the 'boost' feature in order to boost the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even when they have been turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in an area that is away from any flammable objects and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob can be used on a variety of worktops such as laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be a great option for those looking to replace your old stoves without spending a large amount of money. As with any appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that is exactly the same as the element or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't fit, then the element won't recognize it and won't begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent results in cooking and makes the hob less energy efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for modern, sleek design. While they cost more than electric models and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to boil in four minutes or less. This type of stove is ideal for cooks who want to limit the amount of heat is produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they are more likely to accumulate grease and other residue.
This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It has four monobloc burners that are matte black, with control knobs made of metal for a stylish, sophisticated look. It also has an oblong wok ring with 4kW for additional versatility, as well as dishwasher-proof pan supports that are easier to keep clean.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass with modern cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob offers the double inner flame to improve uniform heat distribution and accelerates cooking time. It also comes with an excellent power level indicator that helps to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as a high setting to sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our testers also liked the controls, as they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor drawbacks are that you have to press the controls nine times to reach the maximum heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
Some of the best gas-on-glass hobs can be found at an affordable price like this Neff model. It's not going win any design awards but it'll serve its purpose and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just above PS120.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They're not just sleek and stylish, they are also faster, safer and more efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They're designed with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that's resistant to scratches or smudges. They also come with a power booster function which allows you to boost the heat for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a specific kind of pan and could be expensive to put in.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that is a good option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath an unidirectional glass layer similar to a conventional gas stove. However it's heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much simpler to clean than standard tempered glass. A majority of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator', which informs you when the oven is hot.
Gas hobs are a popular choice for a lot of home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes an extended time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs, on the other hand are more efficient in energy and easy to clean.
For the highest level of modern technology You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This lets you switch between various fuel sources, so you can adjust your cooking to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to remember, however, that these hobs require the installation of a registered gas safe engineer and require a dedicated cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils produce magnetic fields which direct heat the pan, instead of heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are very energy efficient, as they don't waste any heat.
There are a myriad of models of an induction hob starting from basic ones with one cooking zone that is with rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs that have up to six zones and allow the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously in one flex zone. Some of these premium models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar at the middle to select the desired level of heat left to right increases the heat and right to left reduces it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
best hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are considered to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and use a smaller space to heat up which could help you save on energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design without hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or older people who live in the house. However, they do generate magnetic forces that can interfere with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for a longer time. Just be sure to never use abrasive cleaners or pads to scour your induction hob as they could scratch the surface.