Types of Hobs<br /><br />A hob, also referred to as stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with electric power or flames. There are a variety of hobs, so you can pick one that suits your style and kitchen.<br /><br />Induction hobs come with flat ceramic surfaces and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. The modern touch-operated designs look sleek and stylish and are easy to clean.<br /><br />Ceramic hobs<br /><br />Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look that can really enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be wiped down when spills or splatters happen. They are fast to heat up and are energy efficient and can lower your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing the temperature settings. This can be a problem when you need to cook something that requires a quick reduction or increase of the heat.<br /><br />Electric hobs use a solid plate that is heated by electric elements underneath. These elements can be controlled separately by rotary knobs and nipped to the power level you require. You can even utilize the boost feature to increase the temperature of a single area. Ceramic hobs are able to hold heat well, so even when they've been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. This can be a problem when you have children, so it's best to only install them in a place which is far from objects that are flammable and away from little ones.<br /><br />The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be put in on a variety of worktops such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and is a great option if you want to replace your stove without spending a lot. However, just like any other appliance, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains, and we suggest hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.<br /><br /><br /><br />A downside of this type of hob is that it's very sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You'll need cookware that's either exactly the same dimensions as the element or that can fit comfortably into each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware doesn't match the element, it will not recognise it and won't start to heat up the base of the pan. This could lead to inconsistent cooking results and will make the hob less efficient.<br /><br />Gas on glass hobs<br /><br />Glass hobs made of gas have a sleek and modern look. They are more expensive than electric models and require professional installation. However they heat up faster and an entire pot of water can often boil within less than four minutes. <a href="https://www.ovensandhobs.uk/">ovens</a> of hob also is ideal for cooks who want to control how much heat is generated. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to build up grease and sludge.<br /><br />This Bertazzoni hob is a fantastic example of gas on glass. It comes with four monobloc burners finished in matt black with metal control knobs to create a sleek, elegant look. It also includes an oblong wok ring with 4kW for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easy to clean.<br /><br />Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines an attractive slab of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left side of the gas hob has a double inner burner to increase heat distribution and accelerate cooking. It also features a handy power indicator that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-set settings, like high settings to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled eggs.<br /><br />The simple, yet easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them be very simple to use. Some minor issues are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest temperature and it can be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.<br /><br />Some of the top gas-on-glass hobs can be found at an affordable price, 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 120 pounds.<br /><br />Electric hobs<br /><br />There are many electric hobs that work for modern households. Not only do they have an elegant design that blends in with the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functionality that is safer, faster and more efficient in energy use than their predecessors.<br /><br />Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. They're constructed with a sleek glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges or scratches. They're also often equipped with a power boost feature that allows you to increase the heat of your hob for a short amount of time.<br /><br />Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a specific type of pan, and could be expensive to put in.<br /><br />A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that's a great choice for modern homes. Similar to a conventional gas hob, it comes with an oven that is surrounded by an underlying layer of flat glass. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs come with the "hot surface indicator" that alerts you to the temperature.<br /><br />While gas hobs remain an option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes some time to warm up and cool down. On the other hand, electric hobs are more efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean.<br /><br />There are even electric stoves that work with LPG gas. You can switch between a variety of fuels, giving you the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. However, it's important to remember that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a dedicated 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.<br /><br />Induction hobs<br /><br />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 generate magnetic fields that heat the pan directly instead of heating a surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are efficient in energy use, since they don't use any heat.<br /><br />There are many different models of induction hob, from basic entry level models that have only one cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that have up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots simultaneously in one Flex zone. Certain models have a touch slider control that is very similar to how you operate on an 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 have preset settings for certain food items or recipes which can help you save time in the kitchen.<br /><br />Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more efficient in the long term. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating space which can reduce your energy bills. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them ideal for families with young children or elderly persons who live in the house. However, they do produce an electric force that could interfere with certain medical devices like pacemakers. It is therefore essential to center the pans and avoid using smaller pans with larger burners.<br /><br />Like all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean, because food and debris could accumulate over time. You can either employ a standard oven cleaning product or purchase a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for longer. You should never use any abrasive cleaning product or scratching pads on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.<br /><br />