Is Hobs Oven The Best Thing There Ever Was?
Types of Hobs
A hob, also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans with flames or electricity. There are a variety of hobs. You can choose the one that best fits your kitchen and design.
Induction hobs have an elongated ceramic surface and either four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs offer a sleek and modern look which can greatly enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and can easily be wiped down in the event of spills or splatters. hobs uk heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can help lower your electric bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing temperature settings. hob uk can be a hassle when you have to cook something that requires quick reduction or increase of the heat.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be individually controlled with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the level of power you require. You can also use the 'boost' feature in order to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs also have extremely high degree of heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch after being shut off. This can be a problem if you have children, so it's recommended to install them in a location that is well away from any flammable items and out of reach of young children.
This kind of hob is able to be mounted on a variety of worktops, including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also quite affordable and can be an excellent option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a lot. Like all appliances, they need to be installed correctly and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You will need to purchase cookware that either is exactly the same as the element or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognise it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent results in cooking and makes the hob less energy efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer a sleek, modern aesthetic. Although they may cost more than electric models and may require professional installation, they usually require less time to heat up. It's not unusual for a full pan of water to come to a boil in four minutes or less. This kind of hob is a great choice for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is produced. However, it must be observed that a glass-based hob can be more vulnerable to damage than stainless steel models and will likely need to be cleaned more frequently, as grease and residue build up tends to remain instead of sliding off.
A great example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four black monobloc burners that have precise metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. It also has an oblong wok ring with 4kW for added versatility, plus pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easier to keep clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines an attractive slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the hob features a double inner flame to improve even heat distribution and speeds up cooking times. It also has an indicator for power that allows you to regulate the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including a high setting for searing steaks and a low setting for scrambled eggs.
Our testers also liked the controls because they were simple and easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you must press the controls a further nine times to reach the maximum heating level and that the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on-glass hobs that are available at an affordable price. It's not going win any design prizes, but it will do the job and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just more than 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. They're not only sleek and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. These hobs are designed with a sleek glazed finish, and feature a surface that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster feature which allows you to boost the heat for a brief period of time.
Induction hobs are another electric hob perfect for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs, induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However, they require a specific type of pan to work and can be expensive to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a different option that is a good choice for modern homes. It features a burner beneath the glass, which is flat, similar to a conventional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs also come with a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.
Gas hobs remain a popular choice for many home chefs However, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and can take an extended time to heat up and cool off. However, electric hobs are more energy-efficient and simpler to clean.
For the highest level of modern technology You can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, allowing you the flexibility to fit your lifestyle. It is important to note that these stoves will require installation by a registered gas safe engineer and require a separate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people who have pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field can cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils run an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a hob, the coils generate magnetic fields that create heat directly in the pan, rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or the heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are very efficient in energy use, since they don't use any heat.
There are a variety of models of induction stoves starting with the basic models with a single zone identified by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to 6 zones and allow for multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously on one flex area. Some of these models feature a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. You can choose the desired temperature by swiping your finger from left to right over the power bar in the middle. Some models have preset settings for certain recipes or food types, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are thought to be more efficient over the long term since they heat up quicker and have a smaller area to heat up which could help reduce your energy bills. They cool quicker and also have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families that have elderly or children. However, they create a magnetic field which could cause interference with medical devices like pacemakers so it is important to place your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
As with all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean regularly since food particles and other debris can accumulate over time. You can either make use of a basic oven cleaner or invest in a specialist one to keep your oven in good condition and shiny for longer. Just be sure to never use scrubbers or pads to scour your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.