5 Lessons You Can Learn From Hobs Oven
Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans by using electric power or flames. There are a variety of hobs, so you can choose one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs are equipped with a flat ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are elegant and chic and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, so spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient, which can reduce the cost of electricity. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow in changing the temperature and can be a hassle when cooking something that requires an instant reduction or increase in heat.
Electric hobs are comprised of a solid surface that is heated from below by electric elements. These elements can be controlled individually by rotary knobs and nipped up to the power level you require. You can use the Boost feature to boost the temperature of a specific area. Ceramic hobs also have a very high rate of heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch after being turned off. This can be a problem for families with children, so it's advisable to only install them in a place that is away from any flammable items and not within reach of children.
This type of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops including laminate and solid hardwood as well as granite. It's also quite affordable and can be a great option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a large amount of money. Like all appliances, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains. We recommend hiring an electrician to ensure the new hobs are safe to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's sensitive to pan size and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that matches the element precisely or is able to fit comfortably into each of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible the element, it will not recognize it and will not begin to heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and will make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are a great choice for a sleek, modern aesthetic. Although they may cost more than electric models and require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a full pan of water to be boiling within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is a great choice for cooks who need to control how much heat is produced. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to build up grease and other residue.
A fantastic example of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs to create an elegant and sophisticated look. It also has an oblong wok ring with 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe, making them easier to keep clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is a stylish slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings to the left of the hob features a double inner flame to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also comes with an indicator for power that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose between nine preset settings, including a high setting to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled eggs.
The simple and intuitive controls were loved by our test subjects who found them to be very easy to use. A few minor drawbacks are the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to reach the highest heating level and it can be difficult to determine the state of the burners through the glass.
Some of the best gas-on-glass hobs can be found at affordable prices like this Neff model. While it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards but it can do the job well and is a fantastic addition to your kitchen for less than 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are ideal for modern homes. Not only do they have an elegant design that blends in with the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functions that are safer, quicker and more efficient in energy use than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. These hobs are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster feature that lets you increase your heat for a short duration.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is ideal for modern homes. In contrast to traditional electric and gas plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means that they are more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a specific kind of pan and can be costly to install.
A gas on glass hob is a different option that's a great option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath the glass, which is flat, similar to a standard gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempering glass. Many of these hobs also include a 'hot-surface indicator' that warns you when the hob is hot.
While gas hobs remain an option that is popular with home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and can take some time to get hot and cool off. Electric hobs, on the other hand, are more efficient in energy and are easier 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 a variety of fuels, giving you the flexibility you need to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to note, however, that these hobs require installation by an approved gas safe engineer. They also require an appropriate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Copper coils run an electric current that is alternating beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible plate is placed on the hob the coils create magnetic fields which direct heat the pan, instead of heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. This makes induction hobs very efficient from a energy perspective because there's no leftover heat being wasted.
There are a variety of models of induction hobs starting from basic ones that have a single cooking zone that is marked with rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones, allowing the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously in one flexible zone. Some of these models come with a touch-slider control that looks very similar to the way you use an iPhone. Simply slide your finger across the power bar in the middle to select the desired level of heat, left to right boosts heat and right to left decreases it. Some models have preset settings for specific food types or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are thought to be more energy efficient over the long term because they heat up quicker and use a smaller space for heating up which can help you save on energy bills. They cool quicker, and they are safer than traditional hobs that do not have hot plates. This makes them ideal for families that have elderly or children. However, ovens and hobs uk create magnetic fields that could cause interference with medical devices such as pacemakers so it's important to center your pans over the burner and avoid placing small pans on large burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to keep your induction hob clean as food and debris can accumulate over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner or purchase a specialist one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for longer. It is not recommended to use any abrasive cleaning product or scratching pads on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.