Types of hobs (you can find out more)

A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using flames or electricity. There are a variety of hobs, and you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.

Induction hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and come with five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs look sleek and elegant and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs have an elegant and contemporary look that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can easily be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They are quick to heat up oven and hob are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electricity bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to change temperature settings which can be a problem when cooking food that requires immediate reduction or an increase in heat.

Electric hobs utilize an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted by rotary knobs. You can also use the boost feature to boost the heat of a single area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high heat retention, which means they'll stay hot to the touch after being turned off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in an area that is away from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.

The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be set up on a variety of worktops, including laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also fairly affordable and is a great alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs, but without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, and we would recommend hiring a professional electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.

This kind of hob is sensitive to pan sizes and shapes. It is necessary to purchase cookware that's the exact size as the element or that is able to fit in each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware doesn't fit, then the element will not recognize it and won't start to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.

Gas on glass hobs

Gas on glass hobs offer a sleek, modern aesthetic. They are more expensive than electric hobs, Ovens and could require professional installation. However, they heat up faster and the water in a full pot can typically boil within less than four minutes. This type of hob is also a great choice for cooks who want to regulate the amount of heat being produced. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require more frequent cleaning since they tend to build up grease and other residue.

A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW to allow for more 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 with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob offers an inner flame that doubles to improve uniform heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also features a handy power level indicator that helps to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-set settings, like the highest setting for sear steaks and a lower one for scrambled eggs.

The simple, yet intuitive controls were also well liked by our testers who found them to be very simple to use. A few minor drawbacks include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest temperature and it can be difficult to see the state of the burners through the glass.

A few of the top gas on glass hobs are available for affordable prices, such as this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design prizes but it'll perform the task and be an excellent addition to your kitchen at just above 120 pounds.

Electric hobs

There are a number of electric hobs that work for modern households. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more energy-efficient than their predecessors.

One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic glass hob. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and feature an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster function which allows you to boost your heat for a short period of time.

Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. However, they require a specific kind of pan to work and can be costly to set up.

Gas on glass hobs are a great alternative for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under a flat glass layer, similar to a conventional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it much easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs also have a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is heated.

While gas hobs are still an option that is popular with home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes a long time to heat up and cool off. However, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.

To achieve the highest level of modern technology You can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, providing you with the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. But, it's important to keep in mind that these hobs must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a specific 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers as the electromagnetic field may interfere with them.

Induction hobs

On the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils which run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that produce heat directly in the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy point of view, as there's no residual heat being wasted.

There are a myriad of models of induction hobs, from basic entry level ones that have a single cooking zone that is marked with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots at once on a flex zone. Certain models have an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. You can select the desired temperature by moving your finger from left to right over the power bar located in the middle. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food types that can help you save time and hobs effort in the kitchen.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are considered to be more efficient over the long term since they heat up quicker and use a smaller space for heating up which can help lower your energy costs. They cool quicker and also are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them perfect for families with elderly or children. However, they can create magnetic fields that can affect medical devices like pacemakers therefore it is essential to center 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 because food and debris could build up over time. You can employ a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your hob in good shape and shiny for longer. Make sure you don't use scrubbers or scouring pads on your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.