Are You In Search Of Inspiration? Look Up Hobs Oven
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 many different types of hobs. You can choose the one that best fits your kitchen and your style.
Induction hobs come with flat ceramic surfaces and 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 offer a sleek and modern look which can greatly enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, which means spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient, which can reduce your electric bill. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to change temperature settings, which can be frustrating if you're cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. They 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 in order to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even when they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge if you have children, so it's best to only install them in a place that is well away from flammable objects and out of reach of little ones.
This type of hob can be installed on a variety worktops including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great option if you're looking to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, so we recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe to use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. It is essential to purchase cookware that matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in each of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't match, then the element will not recognise it and won't start to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can cause uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.
ovens hobs on glass hobs
Gas-powered glass hobs have a sleek, modern aesthetic. They are more expensive than electric models and could require professional installation. However they are also more efficient in heating and a full pot of water will typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This type of hob also is a great choice for cooks who want to control the amount of heat that is produced. However, it should 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 the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface instead of sliding off.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners finished in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It combines a stylish piece of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left side of the gas hob has two burners inside to improve heat distribution and increase the speed of cooking. It also comes with a handy power indicator that allows you 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 lower one 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 get to the highest level of heating and it may be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best gas-on-glass hobs can be found at affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not going to win any design prizes, but it will perform the task and be a fantastic addition to your kitchen at just more than 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. Not only do they have an elegant design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functionality that is safer, faster and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with a sleek glazed finish, and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster feature that lets you increase your heat for a short period of time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means they are more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a specific kind of pan and could be expensive to put in.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are another great option for modern homes. Similar to a standard gas hob, it has the burner underneath the glass is a flat layer. However it's shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much simpler to clean than glass that is tempered. A lot of these hobs are equipped with an "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the heat.
Gas hobs remain a preferred option for many home cooks, but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and can take an extended time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs, on the other hand, are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
There are even electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, providing you with the flexibility to adapt to 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 for your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers since the electromagnetic field may 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 dish is placed on a hob the coils generate 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 efficient in energy use, since they don't waste any heat.
There are a variety of models of induction hobs starting from basic ones that have a single cooking zone marked by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs with up to six zones, allowing you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one flexible zone. Some of these premium models feature the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar located in the middle to select the desired level of heat, left to right boosts heat and right to left decreases it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs can be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are believed to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up faster and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help lower your energy costs. ovens hobs cool quicker and feature a safer design with no hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or older people who live in the house. However, they create a magnetic field which could affect medical devices such as pacemakers so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs you'll need to keep your induction hob clean as food and debris can build up over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or opt for a specialist product to help keep your hob sparkling and in good order for longer. It is not recommended to use any abrasive cleaning product or a scouring pad on your stove since they could scratch the surface.