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Types of Hobs A hob, also referred to as a stovetop in North America, is a cooking device that heats pans by using flames or electricity. There are several different types of hobs available, so you can pick one that is best suited to your preferences and kitchen. Induction hobs have flat cooking surfaces made of ceramic and have five or four zones for heating your pans. The contemporary designs that operate with a touch are sleek and elegant and are easy to clean. Ceramic hobs Ceramic hobs can give your kitchen a sleek, modern appearance. The flat glass-ceramic surfaces are simple to clean and are able to be wiped down in the event of spills or splatters. They also heat up quickly and are energy efficient and can help reduce your energy bills. However, one disadvantage of ceramic hobs is that they can be slow to change the temperature, which can be frustrating when cooking food that requires an instant reduction or increase in temperature. Electric hobs utilize a solid plate that is heated by electric elements under. The elements can be individually controlled with rotary knobs, and then tacked up to the level of power you require. You can even utilize the 'boost' feature in order to increase the heat of a single zone. Ceramic hobs retain heat very well, and even after they have been turned off, they will be hot to the touch. It is important to put ceramic hobs in an area that is safe from any flammable objects and out of reach of children. This kind of hob can be mounted on a variety of worktops including laminate, solid hardwood and granite. It's also fairly inexpensive and can be a great alternative if you are looking to replace your old stoves without spending a lot of money. But, as with all appliances, they need to be properly installed and connected to the mains, so we recommend hiring an electrician who is experienced to ensure that your new hobs are safe for use. This kind of hob is sensitive to the pan's size and shape. You'll need cookware that's either exactly the same size as the element or that will fit comfortably inside each heating zone on the hob. If the cookware doesn't fit the element, it won't recognize it and won't start to heat the base of the pan. This could result in uneven cooking and make the hob less efficient. Gas on glass hobs Glass hobs with gas are sleek and contemporary in look. Although they may cost more than electric models and require professional installation, they often take less time to heat up – it's not uncommon for a full pan of water to come to a boil in four minutes or less. This kind of hob works well for cooks who wish to control the amount of heat that is generated. However, it must be observed that a glass-based hob is more susceptible to damage than stainless steel ones and may need to be cleaned more often, since grease and residue build up tends to stick rather than slide off. A fantastic example of a gas on glass model is this Bertazzoni hob, which has four black monobloc burners, each with precise metal control knobs for a an elegant and sophisticated look. The wok ring is 4kW for additional versatility, and the pan supports are dishwasher safe. Another highly recommended model is this Bosch gas hob, which is a stylish slab of toughened glass with the latest cooking technology. The dual ring design on the left of the gas hob provides two burners inside to increase the distribution of heat and speed up cooking. It also has an indicator for power that lets you control the precise temperature of the flame. You can choose from nine preset settings, such as a high setting to sear steaks, and a low one for scrambled egg. The simple and easy-to-use controls were also loved by our test subjects who found them to be extremely easy to use. Some minor disadvantages are that you have to physically press the controls nine times to get to the highest temperature, and that it can be difficult to discern the status of the burners through the glass. A few of the top gas-on-glass hobs are available at an affordable price like this Neff model. It's not likely to win any design awards but it'll serve its purpose and be a great addition to your kitchen at just above 120 pounds. Electric hobs There are a number of electric hobs that work for modern homes. They're not just sleek and stylish, but they are also more efficient, safer, and more energy efficient than their predecessors. One of the most sought-after electric hobs is a ceramic hob. They are designed with an elegant glazed finish and have an easy surface to clean and resistant to scratches. These hobs are also fitted with a power booster function that lets you increase the heat for a brief duration. Induction hobs are a different electric hob that is perfect for modern homes. As opposed to traditional gas and electric plate hobs, induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat cookware. They are therefore more energy-efficient and offer precise temperature control. However they require a particular type of pan to work with them and are costly to set up. Glass hobs with gas are another great option for modern homes. It has a burner underneath an unidirectional glass layer similar to a conventional gas stove. The glass is heatproof as well as shatterproof, which makes it easier to clean than tempered glass. A majority of these hobs come with a 'hot surface indicator' that warns you when the hob is hot. Gas hobs are a popular option for many home cooks however they can be noisy and difficult to clean. They also take a while to warm up and cool down, and their flame can be difficult to manage. However electric hobs are efficient in terms of energy consumption and are easier to clean. There are even electric stoves that are compatible LPG gas. You can switch between different fuels, providing you with the flexibility to meet your needs. But, it's important to remember that these hobs need to be installed by a gas safe registered engineer and require a 6mm cable to be installed in your kitchen. They're also not suitable for people with pacemakers as the electromagnetic field may cause interference with them. Induction hobs Copper coils run an alternating electric current under the glass surface of an induction hob. When an induction compatible pan is placed on the hob the coils generate magnetic fields which directly heat the pan instead of heating the surface of the worktop or heated plate. Induction hobs are very energy efficient, as they don't waste any heat. There are a variety of models of induction stoves from the basic entry-level ones with a single zone marked by rings to more advanced multi-zoned induction stoves that can have up to 6 zones that allow multiple pots to be cooked simultaneously in one flex space. Certain models have the ability to control the temperature using a slider that's 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. Certain models can even be programmed with settings for specific recipes or food items which can save you time and effort in the kitchen. Induction hobs are more expensive than ceramic hobs. However they are more energy efficient in the long term. They heat up faster and have a smaller heating space which could reduce your energy costs. They also cool quicker and feature a safer design with no hot plates, making them ideal for families with children or older people living in the home. However, they can create magnetic fields that could cause interference with medical devices, such as pacemakers, so it is important to place your pans on the burner and avoid using small pans on large burners. As with all electric hobs you will need to clean your induction hob frequently, since food particles and other debris may build up over time. You can use a regular oven cleaner, or purchase a specialist cleaner to keep your hob clean and in good shape for longer. Be sure to not use the abrasive cleaning pads or pads for scouring on your induction hob since they could scratch the surface.