Test: How Much Do You Know About Hobs Oven
Types of Hobs
A hob, which is also known as stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans by using flames or electricity. There are many different kinds of hobs, so you can choose one that is best hobs suited to your preferences and kitchen.
Induction hobs have a flat ceramic cooking surface and include four or five zones for heating your pans. Modern touch-operated designs are elegant and fashionable, and they are easy to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a modern, sleek appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are easy to clean and can quickly be cleaned up if spills or splatters occur. They are quick to heat up and are energy efficient which means they can cut down on your electricity bill. Ceramic hobs can be slow in changing temperature settings. This can be frustrating when you are cooking something that requires a rapid decrease or an increase in the 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 by rotating knobs. You can utilize the Boost feature to increase the temperature of a certain zone. Ceramic hobs also have a extremely high degree of heat retention, so they'll remain hot to the touch even after being shut off. It's important to install ceramic hobs in an area that is away from flammable items and out of reach of children.
This kind of hob is able to be installed on a variety worktops including laminate or solid hardwood, as well as granite. It's also reasonably priced and is an excellent option for those trying to replace your old hobs without spending a lot of money. However, just like any other appliance, they must be installed correctly and connected to the mains power supply, so we suggest hiring a professional electrician to ensure that the new hobs are safe for use.
This kind of hob is sensitive to pan shapes and sizes. You'll need cookware that's exactly the same size as the element, or that can fit comfortably into each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware isn't compatible, then the element will not recognise it and will not begin to heat up the base of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the stove less efficient.
Gas on glass hobs
Glass hobs with gas have a sleek and modern look. Although they may cost more than electric models and require professional installation, they typically require less time to heat up - it's not uncommon for a complete pan of water to boil within four minutes or less. This type of stove is a great choice for cooks who want to control the amount of heat that is produced. Glass hobs are more susceptible to damage and require more frequent cleaning because they are more likely to accumulate grease and other residue.
One of the Best place to buy oven and hob examples of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, that has four matt black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated appearance. It also includes an oblong wok ring with 4kW to increase versatility, and pan supports that are dishwasher-safe and easier to keep clean.
Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas best hob uk that combines the look of a sleek slab of toughened glass with advanced cooking technology. The dual ring design to the left of the hob features a double inner flame to promote improvement in uniform heat distribution which increases cooking time. It also has a handy power indicator that helps you to control the exact temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as high settings to sear steaks and a low one for scrambled egg.
The simple and intuitive controls were liked by our testers who found them be very easy to use. Some minor drawbacks are that you have to press the controls a further nine times to reach the maximum heating level, and that the glass can make it difficult to discern what the burners are doing.
This Neff model is one of the top gas-on glass hobs that are available at a low cost. While it's unlikely to be a winner of any design awards however, it serves the purpose well and can be an ideal addition to your kitchen at just PS120.
Electric hobs
Electric hobs are perfect for modern homes. Not only do they offer a sleek design that fits in with the rest of your kitchen as well, but they also offer advanced functionality that is safer, quicker and more efficient than their predecessors in terms of energy consumption.
One of the most well-known electric hobs is the ceramic glass hob. They're made with a sleek, glazed finish and feature an easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to smudges and scratches. They're also typically equipped with a power boost feature that allows you to increase the temperature of your stove for a short period of time.
Induction hobs are a different electric hob perfect for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware. This means they are more energy efficient and offer precise temperature control. They require a particular kind of pan and can be costly to install.
A gas-on-glass hob is a second option that is a good option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath an unidirectional glass layer like a traditional gas stove. However it's heatproof and shatterproof, so it's much simpler to clean than glass that's tempered. A majority of these hobs include a 'hot-surface indicator', which alerts you when the oven is hot.
Although gas hobs are an option that is popular with home cooks, they can be noisy and difficult to clean. The flame can also be difficult to control and takes an extended time to heat up and cool off. Electric hobs, on other side, are more efficient in energy and easy to clean.
For the highest level of modern efficiency, you can even find electric stoves that are compatible with LPG gas. You can switch between various fuels, giving you the flexibility needed to meet your needs. But, it's important to remember that these hobs need to be installed by a registered gas safe engineer and will require a 6mm cable for your kitchen. These hobs are also not suitable for people with pacemakers because the electromagnetic field could cause interference with them.
Hobs with induction
Beneath the glass surface of induction hobs sit copper coils that generate an electrical current that is alternating. When an induction-compatible pan is placed on a hob, the coils produce magnetic fields that generate heat directly in the pan rather than heating the surface of the worktop (gas) or a heated plate (electric). Induction hobs are efficient in energy use, since they don't waste any heat.
There are a variety of models of induction hobs that range from basic models that have one cooking zone that is with rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction hobs and ovens with up to six zones, allowing you to cook several pots at once on a flex zone. Certain models feature an adjustable slider control similar to the iPhone. Simply swipe your finger over the power bar in the middle to choose the desired heat level, left to right boosts heat and right-to-left decreases it. Some models have pre-programmed settings for specific recipes or food items that can help you save time and effort in the kitchen.
Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However, they are more energy efficient in the long run. They can heat faster and have a smaller heating area which can reduce your energy costs. They also cool down faster and have a more secure design with no hot plates, making them perfect for families with young children or elderly persons living in the house. However, they do produce a magnetic field which could 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 as food and debris can build up over time. You can either use a standard oven with hob cleaning product or invest in a professional one to keep your stove in good condition and shiny for longer. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products or scratching pads on your induction stove as they may scratch the surface.