Types of Hobs

A hob, which is also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking appliance that heats pans by using electric or flames. There are a variety of hobs, so you can pick one that is best hob suited to your preferences and kitchen.

Induction hobs come with a flat ceramic cooking surface and include five or four zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are sleek and fashionable, and are easy to clean.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern design. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces can be easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned in the event of spills or splatters. They are quick to heat up and are energy-efficient, which can reduce your electricity bill. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs oven is that they can be slow in changing the temperature and can be a hassle when cooking something that requires a quick reduction or increase in heat.

Electric hobs are made up of a solid, textured surface that is heated from below by electric elements. The power of each element can be adjusted individually through the rotary knobs. You can use the Boost feature to raise the temperature of a certain area. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, so even when they have been turned off, they will still be hot to the touch. This can be a challenge for families with children, so it's best ovens and hobs to install them in an area that is away from flammable objects and not within reach of little ones.

The benefit of this kind of hob is that it can be set up on a variety worktops, such as laminate, solid wood and granite. It's also quite affordable and can be a great option for those looking to replace your stove without spending a lot. Like all appliances, they must be installed correctly 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 extremely sensitive to the size of the pan as well as its shape. You'll need to buy cookware that's either exactly the same dimensions as the element or that will fit comfortably inside the heating zones on the hob. If the cookware isn't the same dimensions as the element, it won't recognise it and won't be able to heat the bottom of the pan. This can result in cooking that is uneven and make the hob 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 typically take less time to heat up. It's not uncommon for a full pan of water to come to a boil within four minutes or less. This kind of hob is ideal for cooks who wish to control the amount of heat that is generated. Glass hobs are more vulnerable to damage and require frequent cleaning as they tend to accumulate grease and sludge.

A fantastic example of a glass-on-gas model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs that create a a stylish and 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 modern cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the hob offers an inner flame that doubles to ensure uniform heat distribution which speeds up cooking times. It also comes with an easy-to-read power indicator that helps you to control the precise temperature of the flame. You can select from nine pre-defined settings including the high setting for searing steak and an option for scrambled eggs.

Our testers also liked the controls because they were easy to use and intuitive. Some minor issues include the fact that you must physically press the controls nine times before you can reach the highest level of heating, and that it can be difficult to discern the state of the burners through the glass.

This Neff model is one of the top gas-on-glass hobs that are that you can buy at a reasonable price. It's not likely to win any design awards but it'll do the job and can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen for just over 120 dollars.

Electric hobs

There are a variety of electric hobs that work for modern homes. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen best ovens and hobs are also equipped with advanced functions that are safer, faster and more efficient in energy use than their predecessors.

Ceramic glass hobs are among the most popular electric stoves. They are designed with an elegant glazed finish and feature an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs also come with a power booster function which allows you to boost the heat for a short duration.

Another electric hob that is ideal for modern homes is an induction hob. Induction hobs heat your cookware directly using electromagnetic fields, unlike traditional gas and electric plates. They are therefore more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular kind of pan to function and are costly to install.