Types of Hob and Oven

Hobs and ovens are popular feature in many kitchens. They are available in various designs. You can mix different types, like gas and electric to meet your needs.

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

Types

The hob is the central point of any kitchen and has a huge impact on the final outcome of your cooking. There are many kinds of hobs, and the one you pick will depend on the needs of your kitchen.

Gas hobs are the most popular choice, and they provide a rapid heating function and instant response to temperature fluctuations. Professional chefs favor them because they are precise in their control. They aren't as simple to clean as other hobs and could require more frequent maintenance.

Electric hobs are flat ceramic surface that has heated elements beneath. They can come in different sizes that have between four and six cooking zones. Each zone is equipped with a distinct heating element which you can regulate individually. It is possible to boil potatoes in one ring, while cooking sausages in another. This type of hob is much easier to warm up than gas, and it offers a safer alternative for children as the cooking zone is heated only when you place a pot on it.

Ceramic hobs are a chic and user-friendly option to electric and gas hobs. They are smooth and durable. surface that is easy to wipe down but aren't as responsive to temperature changes like other hobs and are slower to cool down.

Domino hobs can be a space-saving alternative to gas and electric hobs that have ovens underneath the cooking surface. They can be fitted into smaller kitchens that have small installation space and are suitable for flats and kitchenettes. They are often cheaper than a standard cooker and can be extremely energy efficient however they are also fragile and require more attention than other types of cookers.

Gas

Gas hobs are cooktops that have burners that can be easily integrated into the kitchen countertop to create a seamless look. They are usually powered by natural or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) however they can be powered by propane gas. The sleek, modern design can bring sophistication to your cooking space that is modular.

A traditional gas stove comes with several burners, usually 4, but often as many as 6. The burners can be ignited by a match or a knob. The flames are controlled by a set of valves that can be adjusted to set the temperature.

However, the majority of modern built-in gas hobs have multi-flame burners that let you manage the outer and inner rings of each burner to precisely manage your cooking. They are also much more efficient and more reliable than older models.

In the past, it was required for the gas stove to be constantly lit to ensure that the burners were hot and well-fueled. This was done to avoid accidents, like the mistake of turning on an oven while the stove is still lit by a match or pilot light. Modern cookers are designed with safety as a priority. They come equipped with a fire failure device which shuts down the burners if the pilot light fails to work.

Gas stoves and hobs must be checked, cleaned, and maintained regularly. The best method to ensure this is to schedule an appointment with a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able ensure that your appliance is functioning properly, but will they will also provide expert advice on how you can avoid any future problems.

Electric

When it comes time to design your dream kitchen, the worktops, fridge freezer and ovens will always get the most attention but a quality hob is equally important. The type of hob you choose will affect the way your kitchen functions and how easy to clean.

Electric hobs are powered by heating elements that are placed on the glass surface, which is typically wiped down with a non-abrasive cleaner. These elements are activated when you turn on the hob and can be adjusted to different power levels using a control knob. It can take them some time to heat up but once they've done so, they have a tendency to offer more reliable and consistent temperature control. They also come with indicators that inform you when a space is in use or still hot from cooking.

Typically, they come in four to six different sizes that can be cranked up to different power levels. They are perfect for flat-based cookware, but aren't the best option for cast iron pans as they can overheat. Some models have dual-ring designs (such as the Belling BEL CH602T) that allow you to boil water on one ring and sauté sausages on the other. Some models even come with a 'boost' feature that concentrates high-powered heat into one ring to stir fry cooking sauteing meat, or boiling large pots of water.

Induction hobs differ from standard electric models because they employ electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware instead of the traditional method of gas flames. They can achieve precise temperatures quicker and are more efficient in energy use. They also have a cool-to-the-touch surface and flashing heat indicators that signal that a ring is in use or is still hot.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a material that can be used to create useful or decorative objects. It is made by mixing clay with earthen elements, powders, and water, before firing it in a hot oven known as a Kiln. Once made it is then covered with decorative or paint-like substances to add color and texture.

Ceramic hobs are a stunning combination of form and function, sitting comfortably in any modern kitchen. Radiant heating technology is used to heat ceramic hobs through the passage of an electric current through coiled components which are hidden beneath the black glass surface. When they are activated, they create heat which is then transferred to the pan by an infrared system. You can alter the intensity of this heating by adjusting the controls using a knobs or a touch.

Some ceramic hobs are dual-ring designs, having one smaller and a larger cooking area that lets you select the best size for your pan. You can also purchase hobs with boosters that generate high-powered heat quickly. This is great to cook food in or bring pans to boil quickly.

Compared to other types of hobs ceramic cooktops take a little longer to warm up and then change temperature, but once they do they are generally more efficient in energy use. You can also choose vented hobs, which integrate an air-conditioning system that is integrated into the cooktop made of ceramic. This ensures that steam, smoke and cooking smells don't stay in your home.

Induction

The heating elements in the induction hobs are a series of copper wire coils under the surface. They create electromagnets that heat the pans that sit on them. The coils agitate the free electrons in your pan's metal base and then transfer heat uniformly and directly to your food. The surface of the stove never gets hot and, as soon as you remove your pan, the cooking zones turn off automatically.

Induction hobs are typically more expensive than other models however they're also quicker to heat and use 30-70 percent less energy than gas or ceramic hobs. They are also easier to clean, because the surface of the hob doesn't get hot and only the contents of the pan do.

Certain manufacturers offer a specific induction model with extra features such as the ability to pause that cuts off power to your hob when you leave it, or link up two cooking rings at the same time at the same power level to provide added flexibility. They are commonly referred to as FlexInduction hobs and can be more expensive than traditional models, however they're worth looking into if like to multitask.

This induction hob is our top pick. It has four large cooking zones with a Bridge function and nine power settings, offering you plenty of options for ambitious cooks. In our tests, it performed well with precise control and quick heating when making pancakes. The cooker comes with dishwasher built-in, as well as automatic pan detection, which makes cleaning much easier. The only issue is that there are only a handful of compatible pans, and you cannot use it to cook using appliances with magnetic bases. This can be a problem if have a lot of cookware that's not compatible or a small portion of it is compatible with induction hobs.