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Types of Hob and Oven

hobs and ovens (Recommended Browsing) are common fixture in kitchens. They are available in many different designs. You can even mix types like domino, electric and gas to fit your cooking needs.

A hob could also be equipped with safety features, such as child and control of the position. These can prevent children from touching the stove and stop them from changing the temperature settings by accident.

Types

The hob is the central point of any kitchen and has a huge impact on the outcome of your cooking. However, there are a number of different types of hob and the one you select will depend on what your particular cooking requirements are.

Gas hobs are the classic choice and offer a fast heating process and instant reaction to temperature changes. Professional chefs prefer them because they provide precise control. They aren't as simple to clean as other hobs and may require more maintenance.

Electric hobs are a flat ceramic surface that has heated elements underneath and are available in various sizes, with between four and six cooking zones. Each zone is equipped with a distinct heating element which you can regulate individually. You can boil potatoes in one ring, while cooking sausages in another. This type of hob is much easier to warm up than gas, and is the safety of children as the cooking zone becomes hot only when you place the pot on it.

Ceramic hobs are a chic and user-friendly alternative to electric and gas hobs. They have a smooth, durable surface that is easy to clean, but they aren't as quick to respond to temperature changes like other hobs and are slower to cool down.

Domino hobs are a space-saving alternative to gas and electric hobs that combine ovens below the cooking surface. They can be incorporated into smaller kitchens with little space for installation and are suitable for flats and kitchenettes. They are often cheaper than standard hobs and are energy efficient, however they are also prone to breaking and require greater maintenance.

Gas

Gas hobs are cooktops that have burners that can easily be fitted into the kitchen countertop to give a seamless appearance. They are typically used with natural or the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) however they can be powered by propane gas. The sleek, modern design could add sophistication to your kitchen space.

A traditional gas stove has various burners, typically 4 but often as many as 6. The burners can be lit by a match or a knob. The flames are controlled by a series of valves which can be adjusted to regulate the temperature.

In contrast, most modern gas hobs that have built-in gas burners feature multi-flame burners that let you regulate the outer and inner rings of each burner to precisely manage your cooking. These burners are faster and more reliable than earlier models.

In the past, it was necessary for the gas stove to be constantly lit to ensure that the burners remained hot and fueled. This was to avoid accidents, such as the mistake of turning on an oven and hob while the stove is still lit with a match or pilot light. Modern cookers are designed with safety in mind. They come with a built-in fire failure device that shuts off the burners immediately should the pilot light fail.

Gas stoves and hobs must be checked, cleaned and maintained regularly. To accomplish this, you must book a visit from an Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able to ensure that your appliance functions properly, but will also offer expert advice on how you can prevent any future issues.

Electricity

When it comes to creating your dream kitchen, the countertops, fridge freezer and ovens will always get the most attention but a good hob is also essential. Whichever type you choose, traditional, induction or gas cooker the type of hob uk you choose will affect how your kitchen functions and how easy it is to clean.

Electric hobs feature heating elements under a smooth glass surface. This is usually cleaned with a nonabrasive cleaning product. These elements switch on when you turn on the hob and can be adjusted to a variety of power levels by turning or adjusting on a knob. They may take longer to heat up than a gas cooker but once they are done, they are able to provide better, consistent temperature control. They come with built-in indicators that tell you whether a space is hot or not.

They are available in four to six sizes and can be notch-up up to various power levels. They are ideal for cookware that is flat but aren't the best hobs choice for cast iron pans as they can overheat. Certain models (such as Belling BELCH602T) come with dual rings that let you cook sausages and boil water on the same ring. Some models have a Boost feature that concentrates high heat into one ring. This is helpful for stir-frying, searing meat, or boiling large pots.

Induction hobs are different from conventional electric hobs because they make use of electromagnetic fields instead of conventional gas flames to heat your cookware. They can achieve precise temperatures more quickly and are more efficient in energy use. They also have a cool-to-the-touch surface and flashing heat indicators that let you know that the ring is either in use or still hot.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a material that can be made into useful or decorative objects. It's formed by mixing earthen elements, clay, powders and water to a specific shape, then fired in a high-temperature oven hob called a"kiln. Once made it is then covered with paint-like or decorative materials to add color and texture.

Ceramic hobs are a beautiful blend of function and form that can be easily integrated into any modern kitchen. They work by using radiant heating technology, passing an electric current through the coiled elements hidden beneath the black glass surface of the hob. When they are activated, they produce heat that is then transferred to your pan via an infrared heating system. You can alter the level of heating by turning the knobs or touch controls.

Some ceramic hobs come with dual rings, which have a smaller and a larger cooking zone. This lets you select the right size for your pan. You can also find hobs with booster burners that generate high-powered heat rapidly perfect for searing food or bringing pots of water to a boil in a short time.

Ceramic cooktops are more energy efficient than other types of hobs as they take longer to heat up and switch temperatures. You can also find vented hobs that integrate a ventilation system within the ceramic cooktop, ensuring steam, smoke and cooking smells don't linger in your home.

Induction

Induction hobs have heating elements that are comprised of copper wire coils. The coils create electromagnets that warm the pans that are placed on top of them. The coils stir up the free electrons in the base of your pan, which then transmits heat evenly and directly to your food. The surface of the hob is never hot, and the moment you remove your pan the cooking zones are turned off automatically.

Induction hobs tend to be more expensive than other hobs, but they're also faster to heat and use 30-70% less energy than gas or ceramic hobs. They are also easier to clean as the hob surface itself isn't hot, and only the contents of the pan do.

Some manufacturers have an induction model that has extra features, such as a pause function that cuts off the power to your stove when you leave, or the ability to link two cooking rings simultaneously with the same power to provide increased flexibility. These are often referred to as FlexInduction hobs. They are more expensive than traditional induction models but they're worth a look if you prefer to multitask.

This induction hob is our top choice. It comes with four large cooking zones as well as a Bridge function and nine power settings, offering you plenty of options for cooks who want to be more adventurous. It performed well in our test, with fast heating and precise control when making pancakes. The hob also has an integrated dishwasher as well as an automatic pan detection function to make cleaning even easier. The only issue is that there are only a handful of compatible pans and you can't make use of it for cooking with the utensils that have magnetic bases. This can be a challenge in the event that you have a large amount of non-compliant cookware, or just certain pieces are suitable for induction cooktops.