The People Who Are Closest To Hobs Oven Share Some Big Secrets
Types of Hobs
A hob (known as a stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electricity or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs available, so you can pick one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs have modern and sleek design that can really enhance the overall aesthetic of your kitchen. They have a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They are fast to heat up and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to change temperatures and can be a hassle if you're cooking something that requires immediate reduction or Hobs an increase in heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually through the rotary knobs. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature in order to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being turned off. This can be a challenge if you have children, so it's advisable to only install them in a location that is well away from any flammable items and not within reach of children.
This type of hob and oven can be mounted on a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively affordable and can be a great alternative if you're trying to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. But, as with all appliances, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we would recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.
This kind 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 dimensions as the element, the element will not recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and will make the hob less energy efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer an elegant, modern look. They can be more expensive than electric models, and require professional installation. However they heat up faster as a full pot of water will typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This type of stove works well for cooks who want to control how much heat is generated. However, it must be observed that a glass-based hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and will require cleaning more often, since the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface rather than slide off.
This Bertazzoni hob is a great example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners in matt black with metal control knobs to give it a chic, sophisticated finish. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is an attractive 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 speed up cooking. It also has a handy power level indicator that allows you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including the high setting for searing steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls as they were simple and easy to use. A few minor issues are that you must press the controls a further nine times before reaching the maximum temperature and the glass can make it difficult to see what the burners are doing.
A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available at an affordable price, such as this Neff model. Although it's unlikely to win any design awards but it can do the job well and is an ideal addition to your kitchen for just over 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are many 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 in energy use than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface resistant to smudges and scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster function that lets you increase the heat for a short time.
Another electric hob that is perfect for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. This means that they are more energy efficient and have precise temperature control. However they require a certain type of pan to work and are costly to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob and oven is another option that's an excellent option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under the glass, which is flat, similar to a conventional gas stove. However it's heatproof and shatterproof, so it's easier to clean than standard glass that's tempered. Many of these hobs also come with a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the oven is hot.
Gas hobs remain a preferred option for many home cooks However, they can be noisy and hard to clean. They can take a long time to heat up and cool down and their flames can be hard to manage. However electric hobs are energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
There are electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to meet your needs. But, it's important to note that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those who have pacemakers because the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs are copper coils which run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that heat the pan directly instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from an energy perspective, as there's no residual heat that is wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone marked by rings up to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked in one flex space. Some of these premium models have an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar in the middle to choose the desired temperature, left to right increases heat and right-to-left decreases it. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are considered to be more energy efficient over the long term since they heat up quicker and have a smaller area to heat up, which can help lower your energy costs. They cool down faster and have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families that have children or elderly residents. They do, however, produce an electric force that could cause interference with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
Like all electric hobs you'll have to keep your induction hob clean since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use an oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your stove sparkling and in good order for a longer time. Be sure to not use scrubbers or scouring pads on your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.