Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are several different types of hobs available, so you can choose one that suits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs have a flat ceramic cooking surface and have four or five zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look that can improve the overall look of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient which helps reduce your electricity bills. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you need to cook something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in the heat.
Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. The elements can be controlled individually with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, and even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge when you have children, so it's best to install them in a place that is well away from flammable objects and not within reach of children.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively affordable and can be a great alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. But, as with all appliances, they do need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that your new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware is not the same dimensions as the element, the element will not recognize it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and will make the hob less energy efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs have a sleek and modern design. Although they may be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to come to a boil in four minutes or less. This kind of hob is also a good choice for cooks who prefer to regulate the amount of heat being produced. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.
A fantastic example of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines a stylish slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the gas hob has an inner burner that doubles to increase heat distribution and accelerate cooking. It also has a handy power indicator that lets you control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings including the high setting for searing steaks and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
The simple and easy-to-use controls were also liked by our testers who found them to be very easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you need to press the controls nine more times to reach the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
Some of the top gas on glass hobs are available at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. Although it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen for less than PS120.
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 and are also equipped with advanced functions that are safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. These hobs have a sleek glazed finish, and feature a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost feature which lets you increase the heat of your cooker for a short period of time.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. In Best ovens to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to work and can be costly to install.
Gas on glass hobs are another great option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under an unidirectional glass layer similar to a standard gas stove. However it's shatterproof and heatproof, so it's much simpler to clean than glass that's tempered. Many of these hobs have an "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the temperature.
While gas hobs remain an option that is popular with home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes a long time to warm up and cool down. Electric hobs on the other side, are more efficient in energy and easier to clean.
For the ultimate in modern efficiency You can even find electric hobs compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between various fuel sources, so you can adjust your cooking to fit your needs. It is important to note that these hobs require installation by an approved gas safe engineer. They also require a separate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils create an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a stove, the coils create magnetic fields that create heat directly inside the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). Induction hobs are extremely efficient from an energy point of view, as there's no residual heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of an induction hob that range from basic models that have only one cooking zone with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones, allowing you to cook several pots at once on a flexible zone. Certain models come with a touch-slider control that is very similar to how you operate an iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by sliding your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Some models have preset settings for certain food items or recipes that can cut down time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs tend to 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 surface for heating up which can help lower your energy costs. They also cool quicker and feature a safer design without hot plates, making them perfect for families with children or elderly people living in the home. However, they can create a magnetic field which could affect medical devices such as pacemakers so it is important to place your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your electric hob clean regularly as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your oven in good condition and shiny for a longer time. You should never use the abrasive cleaning products or the scratching pads on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.