Types of Hobs<br /><br /><br /><br />A hob, also referred to as stovetops in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electric or flames. There are many different kinds of hobs, so you can choose one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.<br /><br />Induction hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and have five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and stylish, and easy to clean.<br /><br />Ceramic hobs<br /><br />Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek design. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned up when spills or splatters happen. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing the temperature settings. This can be a problem when you have to cook something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in the heat.<br /><br />Electric hobs use an uncooked plate that is heated by electric elements beneath. The elements can be individually controlled by rotary knobs and nipped to the power level you require. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a particular area. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they've been shut off, they will still be hot to the touch. This could be a problem when you have children, so it's best to place them in an area that is well away from any flammable items and not within reach of little ones.<br /><br />This kind of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops such as laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It is also relatively inexpensive and is a great option if you want to replace your old stoves without spending a lot. However, just like any other appliance, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we would recommend hiring an electrician professional to ensure your new hobs are safe for use.<br /><br />The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's very sensitive to the size of the pan and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware doesn't fit, then the element won't recognize it and will not begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient.<br /><br />Gas on glass hobs<br /><br />Gas on glass hobs offer modern, sleek design. While they can be more expensive than electric models and require professional installation, they usually require less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This type of stove is ideal for cooks who need to control how much heat is produced. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and residue.<br /><br />A fantastic example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring is 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.ovensandhobs.uk/">best hob uk ovensandhobs.uk</a> is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the hob features a double inner flame to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution which accelerates cooking time. It also features an indicator for power that lets you control the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including the high setting for searing a steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.<br /><br />The simple and easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them be very easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest level of heating and it can be difficult to determine the status of the burners through the glass.<br /><br />A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available at affordable prices like this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design awards however it's going to perform the task and be a great addition to your kitchen for just above 120 pounds.<br /><br />Electric hobs<br /><br />Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. They are not only elegant and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more energy efficient than their predecessors.<br /><br />One of the most well-known electric hobs is a ceramic hob. These hobs are designed with sleek glazed finishes, and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster feature that allows you to increase the heat for a short duration.<br /><br />Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs cook your food directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. They are therefore more energy efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to work and can be costly to install.<br /><br />A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that's an excellent choice for modern homes. It features a burner beneath a flat glass layer, similar to a standard gas stove. This glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs come with a "hot surface indicator" which alerts you to the temperature.<br /><br />Gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks However, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes an extended time to heat up and cool off. Electric hobs, on the other hand are more efficient in energy use and easy to clean.<br /><br />You can even find electric stoves that work with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to adapt to your lifestyle. It's important to note, however, that these stoves will require the installation of an accredited gas safe engineer and will require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field could interfere with them.<br /><br />Induction hobs<br /><br />Copper coils run an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob the coils create magnetic fields which heat the pan directly instead of heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. This makes induction hobs very efficient from an energy standpoint since there's no heat that is wasted.<br /><br />There are many different models of an induction hob, from basic entry level models that have a single cooking zone with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots at once on a flex zone. Some of these models feature a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar located in the middle to select the desired heat level, left to right boosts heat and right-to-left decreases it. Certain models have preset settings for specific food items or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.<br /><br />Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, however they are believed to be more energy efficient in the long run since they heat up quicker and have a smaller area to heat up which could help lower your energy costs. They also cool quicker and feature a safer design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or elderly people who live in the house. However, they do create an electric force that could affect certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.<br /><br />Like all electric hobs, you'll need to clean your induction hob regularly, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can employ a standard oven cleaning product or purchase a specialist one to keep your stove in good shape and shiny for longer. Avoid using any abrasive cleaning product or scouring pad on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.<br /><br />