Five Essential Qualities Customers Are Searching For In Every Hobs Oven
Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as stovetops in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans by using flames or electricity. There are a variety of hobs, and you can choose one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs feature an elongated ceramic cooking surface and have five or four zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide an elegant and contemporary look that can improve the overall look of your kitchen. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and are able to be cleaned up if spills or splatters occur. They are fast to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on the cost of electricity. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing temperature settings and can be a hassle when cooking food that requires a quick reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs consist of a solid surface which is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted by rotating knobs. You can even use the 'boost' feature to increase the temperature of a single zone. Ceramic hobs hold heat extremely well, so even when they are turned off, they will be hot to the touch. It's important to install ceramic hobs in an area that is away from items that could ignite and out of reach of children.
The advantage of this type of hob is that it can be set up on a variety worktops such as laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is a great alternative if you're looking to replace your previous hobs without spending too much money. However, like Best ovens UK need to be properly installed and connected to the mains power supply, so we recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You'll need cookware that's the exact size as the element or that will fit comfortably inside the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it will not recognise it and won't start to heat up the base of the pan. This can lead to uneven results in cooking and makes the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Gas on glass hobs offer a sleek, modern aesthetic. They can be more expensive than electric models, and may require professional installations. However they are also more efficient in heating as a full pot of water will typically boil in less than 4 minutes. This type of hob also works well for cooks who wish to control how much heat is generated. However, it must be noted that a glass hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel models and will need to be cleaned more often, as the accumulation 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 finished in matt black, with control knobs made of metal to create a sleek, elegant appearance. The wok ring has a power of 4kW for extra versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher safe.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob that combines an attractive slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob has a double inner flame to improve uniform heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also has an indicator for power that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings, including the highest setting for searing steak and an option for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were liked by our testers who found them be extremely easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you need to press the controls nine more times to reach the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to see the burners' actions.
Some of the best gas on glass hobs can be found at an affordable price, such as this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design awards however it's going to serve its purpose and be a great addition to your kitchen for just above 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are ideal for modern homes. They're not only elegant and stylish, but they are also safer, faster and more efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most sought-after electric stoves. These hobs have an elegant glazed finish and have a surface 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.
Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat cookware directly with electromagnetic fields unlike traditional electric and gas plates. They are therefore more energy-efficient, and they offer precise temperature control. They require a special kind of pan and could be expensive to put in.
Hobs made of glass that are gas-powered are a great alternative for modern homes. Similar to a traditional gas hob, it comes with the burner underneath an underlying layer of flat glass. However it's heatproof and shatterproof, so it's easier to clean than standard glass that's tempered. A majority of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator' that warns you when the oven is hot.
Although gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks but they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes an extended time to heat up and cool off. Electric hobs on the other hand are more energy efficient and are easier to clean.
There are electric stoves that can be used with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you'll be able to suit your lifestyle. It is important to note, however, that these stoves will require the installation of a registered gas safe engineer and will require a separate cable of 6mm to be installed in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
On the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that run an electrical current that varies. When an induction-compatible dish is placed on a stove, the coils generate magnetic fields that create heat directly within the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy perspective because there's no leftover heat being wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction stoves from the basic ones with a single zone labelled by rings, to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction stoves that have up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously within a flex area. Certain models come with 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 increases heat and right to left reduces it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types which can save you time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more efficient in the long term. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating space which can lower your energy costs. They cool down faster and also have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them a great choice for families that have children or elderly residents. However, they do produce magnetic fields that could affect medical devices such as pacemakers so it's important to center your pans on the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll have to keep your induction hob clean as food and debris can build up over time. You can employ a standard oven cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your hob in good condition and shiny for longer. You should never use abrasive cleaning products or a scouring pad on your stove as they may scratch the surface.