Ten Hobs Oven That Will Actually Make Your Life Better
Types of Hobs
A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans using flames or electricity. There are a variety of hobs, so you can pick one that fits your style and kitchen.
Induction hobs are equipped with a flat ceramic surface and four or five zones to heat your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs provide a sleek and modern look that can really improve the overall look of your kitchen. They have a flat glass ceramic surface that is easy to clean, meaning spills and splatters can be quickly wiped away. They also heat up very quickly and are energy efficient and can help reduce your electricity bills. 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 temperature.
Electric hobs consist of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually via the rotary knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a particular zone. Ceramic best hobs are able to hold heat well, and even after they've been shut off, they will be hot to the touch. It is essential to place ceramic hobs in an area that is away from any flammable objects and away from children's reach.
The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be installed on a variety worktops, such as laminate and solid wood as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is a great option if you're looking to replace your old hobs without spending too much money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.
The drawback of this kind of hob is that it's extremely sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. It is necessary to purchase cookware that is either the exact same dimensions as the element or that is able to fit in each heating zone on the hob and oven. If the cookware is not the same size as the element, it won't recognize it and will not heat the bottom of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in look. While they can be more expensive than electric ones and require professional installation, they usually require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to boil in four minutes or less. This type of hob also is a great choice for cooks who need to limit the amount of heat is generated. Glass hobs are more prone to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to accumulate grease and sludge.
This Bertazzoni hob is an excellent example of gas on glass. It features four monobloc burners finished in matt black with metal control knobs for a stylish, sophisticated finish. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher-proof.
This Bosch gas hob is a highly recommended model. It is a sleek piece of toughened glass and cutting-edge cooking technology. The dual ring design at the left of the gas hob has an inner burner that doubles to improve the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, Hob And Oven including a high setting to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg.
Our test subjects also appreciated the controls because they were simple and easy to use. There are a few minor disadvantages, for instance, you must press the controls nine times before reaching the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is among the top gas-on glass hobs available at an affordable price. It's not likely to win any design awards but it'll serve its purpose and be a great option for your kitchen at just above 120 dollars.
Electric hobs
There are many electric hobs that are perfect for modern homes. They're not just elegant and stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer and more energy efficient than their predecessors.
One of the most popular electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They're designed with a sleek, glossy finish and an easy-to-clean surface resistant to scratches or smudges. They also come with a power booster feature that allows you to increase your heat for a short duration.
Induction hobs are yet another electric hob perfect for modern homes. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly by using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional electric plates and gas stoves. They are therefore more energy efficient and provide precise temperature control. They require a special type of pan, and can be costly to install.
A gas-on-glass hob is another option that's a great choice for modern homes. It is equipped with a burner under a flat glass layer, similar to a standard gas stove. The glass is heatproof and shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than glass that is tempered. Many of these hobs also come with a 'hot surface indicator', which alerts you when the hob is hot.
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 can take some time to heat up and cool off. However, electric hobs are more efficient in energy use and easier to clean.
You can even find electric stoves that work with LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, giving you the flexibility to adapt to your lifestyle. It is important to note that these stoves will require installation by an accredited gas safe engineer and require a separate cable of 6mm in your kitchen. They are also not suitable for those with pacemakers since the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Induction hobs
Copper coils conduct an alternating electric current beneath the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob, the coils generate magnetic fields which heat the pan directly instead of heating a surface of the worktop or a heated plate. This makes induction hobs extremely efficient from a energy point of view because there's no leftover heat that is wasted.
There are a myriad of models of induction hob that range from basic ones with a single cooking zone with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs that can have up to six zones and allow you to cook several pots simultaneously in one Flex zone. Some of these models have a slider control that is similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger across the power bar in the middle to select the desired heat level left to right boosts heat and right to left reduces it. Some models have preset settings for certain food types or recipes, which can save time in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are also more energy efficient in the long term. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating space which could reduce your energy bills. They cool down faster and also have a safer design without hot plates. This makes them perfect for families that have children or elderly residents. However, they create magnetic fields that can interfere with some 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 need to keep your induction hob clean, since food particles and other debris can build up over time. You can use a regular oven and hob cleaner, or opt for a specialist product to keep your hob shiny and in good condition for longer. Make sure you don't use scrubbers or pads for scouring on your induction cooker as they could scratch the surface.