Ten Hobs Oven That Will Actually Help You Live Better
Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove top in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats pans using electricity or flames. There are a variety of hobs. You can pick the one that best fits your kitchen and style.
Induction hobs come with an elongated ceramic surface and a range of four or five zones to heat your pans. oven hob -operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern look. They feature a flat glass-ceramic surface that's easy to clean, which means spills and splatters can be quickly cleaned. They heat up quickly and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow when changing the temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you have to cook something that requires a quick reduction or an increase in heat.
Electric hobs use plates that are heated by electric elements underneath. The power of each element can be individually adjusted via the rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a specific zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even after they've been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. This could be a problem when you have children, so it's recommended to place them in a place that is away from flammable objects and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob can be installed on a variety worktops including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and can be a great option if you're looking to replace your old hobs without spending a lot of money. However, like all appliances 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 to use.
A downside of this type of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You will need to purchase cookware that either matches the element precisely or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't the same size as the element, the element won't recognize it and won't heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in inconsistent cooking results and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in design. While they can be more expensive than electric ones and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to be boiling in four minutes or less. This kind of stove is also a great option for cooks who like to regulate the amount of heat being produced. However, it must be not forgotten that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel ones and may require cleaning more often, since the accumulation of grease and residue tends to remain instead of sliding off.
One of the best examples of a gas-on-glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which boasts four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a a stylish and sophisticated finish. The wok ring is 4kW to allow for more versatility and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which combines a stylish slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual rings on the left side of the hob has the double inner flame to improve even heat distribution and increases cooking time. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that lets you control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine pre-defined settings, including the high setting for searing steaks and an option for scrambled eggs.
The simple and easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them to be extremely easy to use. A few minor issues 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 the burners' actions.
Some of the top gas on glass hobs are available for an affordable price, such as this Neff model. It's not going win any design awards but it'll serve its purpose and be a fantastic option for your kitchen at just over 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a number of electric hobs that are perfect for modern homes. They are 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 popular electric stoves. They are designed with an elegant glazed finish and feature an exterior that is easy to clean and resistant to scratches. They also come with a power booster feature that allows you to increase the heat for a short time.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob perfect for modern homes. Unlike traditional gas and electric plate hobs that use electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. This means they are more energy-efficient and have precise temperature control. They require a particular kind of pan and can be costly to set up.
A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that's an excellent choice for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under the glass, which is flat, similar to a standard gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, making it easier to clean than tempered glass. Many of these hobs have an "hot surface indicator" that warns you of the heat.
While gas hobs are still a popular option for many home cooks however, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take time to cool down and warm down and their flame can be difficult to control. Electric hobs on the other side, are more efficient in energy and easier to clean.
You can even find electric stoves that work with LPG gas. This lets you switch between different fuel sources, meaning you can adjust your cooking to fit your needs. However, it's important to remember that these stoves must be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for those with pacemakers, since the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Under the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils which run an alternating electrical current. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields which heat the pan directly instead of heating the surface of the worktop or a heated plate. Induction hobs are extremely energy efficient, as they don't waste any heat.
There are a variety of models of induction hob that range from basic ones with a single cooking zone marked by rings to more sophisticated multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow the cooking of multiple pots simultaneously on one flex zone. Some of these models come with the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar located in the middle to choose the desired level of heat, left to right increases the heat and right to left reduces it. Some models even have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more energy efficient over the long run. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating area which can lower your energy costs. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, making them ideal for families with children or elderly people who live in the house. However, they do produce a magnetic force that could interfere with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on bigger burners.
As with all electric hobs you will have to clean your electric hob regularly, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can make use of a basic oven cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your oven in good condition and shining for longer. It is not recommended to use abrasive cleaning products or scratching pads on your induction stove since they could scratch the surface.