Ten Hobs Ovens That Really Change Your Life
Types of Hobs
A hob (known as stove tops in North America) is a cooking appliance that heats up pans by using electricity or ovens flames. There are a variety of hobs available, so you can choose one that is best ovens and hobs uk suited to your preferences ovens and hobs uk kitchen.
Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic cooking surface and have four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and stylish, and easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide modern and sleek design that can really enhance the overall appearance of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that's easy to clean, so spills and splatters are quickly cleaned. They heat up quickly and are energy-efficient which means they can cut down on your electric bill. However, one downside of ceramic hobs is that they tend to be slow to adjust the temperature and can be a hassle when cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in temperature.
Electric hobs are made up of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The elements can be individually controlled using rotary knobs and notched 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 a very high rate of heat retention, meaning they'll remain hot to the touch after being shut off. This could be a problem if you have children, so it's recommended to install them in an area that is well away from objects that are flammable and not within reach of young children.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be set up in a variety of worktops, including laminate or solid wood, as well as granite. It is also relatively affordable and is an excellent option for those looking to replace your previous hobs without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, and we suggest hiring an electrician professional to ensure your new hobs are safe to use.
This type of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You will need to purchase cookware that either matches the element exactly or fits comfortably in all of the heating zones. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element will not recognize it and won't begin to heat up the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs uk
Glass hobs made of gas are sleek and contemporary in appearance. While they can cost more 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 within four minutes or less. This type of hob also is ideal for cooks who need to control how much heat is produced. However, it should be noted that a glass hob is more prone to damage than stainless steel models and will need to be cleaned more frequently, as the build-up of grease and residue tends to stay on the surface rather than slide off.
One of the best ovens and hobs examples of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four black monobloc burners with accurate metal control knobs that create a an elegant and sophisticated look. It also has an oblong wok ring with 4kW for additional versatility, as well as pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easy to clean.
This Bosch gas hob is another highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and advanced cooking technology. The dual rings on the left of the hob features an inner flame that doubles to ensure uniform heat distribution, which in turn speeds up cooking times. It also features an indicator for power that allows you to regulate the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including the highest setting for searing a steak and the low setting for scrambled eggs.
The simple, yet intuitive controls were appreciated by our testers who found them to be very simple to use. Some minor issues include the fact that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest heating level and it can be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass.
Some of the top gas on glass hobs can be found at affordable prices, such as this Neff model. While it's not going to win any design awards, it does the job well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen for less than 120 pounds.
Electric hobs
There are a variety of electric hobs that are ideal for modern households. Not only do they have an elegant design that blends into the rest of your kitchen, but they also provide advanced functionality that is safer, more efficient and energy-efficient than their predecessors.
Ceramic glass hobs are among the most well-known electric stoves. They're made with a sleek, polished, glazed finish. They also have an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to scratches or smudges. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster feature that lets you increase the heat for a brief time.
Another electric hob that is suitable for modern homes is an induction hob. 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 specific type of pan and can be costly to install.
Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under a flat glass layer, similar to a conventional gas stove. However, this glass is heat-resistant and shatterproof, which means it's much simpler to clean than standard tempered glass. Many of these ovens hobs also have a 'hot surface indicator', which informs you when the hob is heated.
Gas hobs remain a preferred choice for a lot of home cooks however they can be noisy and hard to clean. The flame can be difficult to control and takes some time to heat up and cool off. Electric hobs, on other side are more efficient in energy and easier to clean.
For the highest level of modern efficiency, you can even find electric hobs that are compatible with LPG gas. This allows you to switch between different fuel sources, so you'll be able to adapt to your lifestyle. But, it's important to remember that these stoves must be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and require a specific 6mm cable in your kitchen. They're not suitable for people with pacemakers, as the electromagnetic field can interfere with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction-compatible pot is placed on a stove, the coils generate magnetic fields that produce heat directly within the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or an insulated plate (electric). This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy perspective because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a variety of models of an induction hob, from basic entry level ones with a single cooking zone marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned hobs that have up to six zones, allowing you to cook multiple pots simultaneously on one flexible zone. Some of these premium models feature an adjustable slider control 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 even have pre-programmed settings for certain recipes or food types that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs do tend to be more expensive than ceramic hobs, but they are considered to be more efficient in the long run because they heat up faster and have a smaller surface for heating up which can help lower your energy costs. They also cool faster and have a more secure design that doesn't have hot plates, which makes them perfect for families with children or older people living in the house. They do, however, generate an electric force that could cause interference with certain medical devices such as pacemakers. It is therefore crucial to center pans and avoid using smaller pans on larger burners.
Like all electric hobs, you'll need to clean your induction hob on a regular basis, as food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a standard oven cleaner, or opt for a specialist product to keep your stove clean and in good shape for a longer time. You should never use abrasive cleaning products or scratching pads on your induction stove, as they can scratch the surface.