Think You're Perfect For Doing Oven? Try This Quiz
Leave oven with hob on the Hob
Nigella's recipe often suggests that you "leave pans on the hob" but what is the actual meaning of this? A hob is the British word used to describe a cooktop or stove top and can be gas or electric.
Dual fuel cookers mix a gas hob with an electric oven to give you the best of both. They can provide instant heat, but they are more costly to operate than single fuel models.
Hobs made of solid plates
Solid plate hobs have been a staple of many homes for decades. Their basic design is made up of flat metal plates that are heated using electricity, which makes them an affordable option for those who are on a tight budget. However, their modest initial price tag can cause higher electricity costs over time because of their inefficient use of energy. They require a lot of residual heat and take longer to warm up or cool down.
Ceramic hobs are a popular alternative to solid-plate hobs. It's more expensive at first however it will be much more affordable in the long term. These hobs are available in a variety of styles, including curving and flat and can be paired with a range of ovens to fit any kitchen layout. They are also easy to clean and blend into modern homes.
Induction hobs are the next step, because they utilize electromagnetic fields to heat cookware directly. This means that the hob surface remains cool, reducing the chance of accidental burns and making it safer for young children to touch. Additionally induction hobs are among the quickest of all types to heat up and cool down.
When you are deciding on which hob to purchase it is essential to take into consideration your cooking habits and energy needs. Solid plate hobs are cheap to purchase, but they're not efficient and inefficient, whereas gas and ceramic hobs are more costly but more efficient. Induction hobs are a good option, since they combine effectiveness with a stylish appearance.
Gas hobs
The top gas hobs are easy to use, have a neat and attractive appearance and are constructed from robust materials. They should come with a solid warranty and be easy to clean. In addition, they should be compatible with a broad range of cookware and offer instant heat control.
A gas hob works by connecting the gas supply to each burner, which combusts the fuel to create the flame. The flame warms both the air and the pan which allows for precise temperature control. Certain models have a visible flame indicator, which makes it easy to determine if the burners are on or off in a glance. Gas hobs also come with multiple burners of different sizes, automatic ignition, and a drip pan that can be removed.
A lot of modern gas hobs come with ceramic or stainless steel top, with some having sleek black glass finishes. There are vented and open-burner hobs in accordance with the style of your kitchen. Hobs vented have an integrated extractor that collects smoke and steam from cooking pans and releases the heat outside, whereas open-burner gas hobs don't.
Open-burner hobs have a classic design with knobs and grates made of metal while vented hobs look more contemporary with flat, glass surfaces. Some models also come with an extra-wide pan support, which is an advantage for larger pots and pans.
Despite the widespread use of electric hobs such as ceramic and induction hobs but there is a large customer base for gas hobs. This is partly due to the preferences of consumers and the familiarity with gas cooking. A number of government regulations encourage the phase-out of fossil fuel-based appliances and the use of energy-efficient alternatives.
All gas-powered hobs require electrical components in order to function, therefore it is important to have your gas hob installed by a qualified electrician and carpenter who will ensure that all installations are secure and conform to the standards of the industry. If you are installing a gas-powered hob the electrician you choose to work with will need to connect an electrical power cable and a gas pipe into your kitchen. This is usually a straightforward procedure that won't affect your existing piping or electrical connections.
Ceramic hobs
As well as a sleek, attractive finish ceramic hobs are simple to clean and more efficient in terms of energy consumption than gas hobs. The heating element that is high-powered is placed beneath the surface of every zone. The heat is then transmitted through the glass to the pan that is above. This can reduce energy consumption since it only direct heats the pan, and not the air surrounding it. They're also easy to control and respond quickly to temperature fluctuations.
oven and hob of a ceramic stove is easy to clean, so spills and splatters can be cleaned away with a cloth once they cool. Be aware that they're not suitable for a humid or hot kitchen, as the glass will break and turn discolored.
Some people may be a bit sceptical about the fact that ceramic hobs produce some amount of heat beneath the surface, but this isn't a problem to the majority of. In fact, many models are equipped with cooling fans integrated to control this heat and keep it from affecting your workspace or kitchen. They are also insulated to help reduce heat transfer from your hob to your kitchen.
Another benefit of ceramic hobs is that they can be used with most kinds of cookware, in contrast to induction hobs which require a specific magnetically conductor pan. However, it is recommended to avoid using any cookware made of cast iron on a ceramic stove, because it could scratch the surface.
Many ceramic hobs are fitted with safety features like residual heat indicators and a lockout function to prevent accidents from happening in the home. Certain ceramic hobs feature the feature of 'overflow prevention' that detects when a pot boils over and automatically cuts the power to the area it is in to limit damage. It's equally important to make sure that the ceramic hob is properly installed and set up with the correct breakers and cables. It is best to leave this to a qualified electrical engineer to be sure that your ceramic hob is safe and reliable.
Hobs with induction
Like their name suggests induction hobs contain coils beneath the surface which generate magnetic fields that create heat within the pan or any metal objects placed on it. They use less power than other types of electric hobs since they remain cold until a pan is placed on them, and they are more efficient in heating up a pan since the heat produced is sourced from the bottom of the pan rather than the whole cooktop surface.
Induction models are similar to gas hobs because they feature a control panel, where you can set your preferences and monitor the amount of power being used. However unlike traditional gas hobs they can only be used using cookware that's compatible with their heating mechanism using electromagnetic energy, which means it must have an even, flat thick base made of ferrous metal (iron) or cast iron. Certain stainless steel and non-stick pans also work. But, make sure to check the label to make sure that the cookware you use is compatible with induction.
A popular option in shared student halls and penthouses of iQ Student Accommodation Induction hobs feature sleek LCD displays and modern design that blend seamlessly into modern kitchens. They are safer than gas hobs that are traditional because they only heat up when a pan is placed on them, and then they stop automatically when the pan has been removed.
Induction hobs can be controlled like an iPhone. A swipe on the slider will adjust your preferred heat level. There are typically up and down arrows on the control panel, which allow you to alter the power level, or dial to control the temperature precisely.
As well as nine power levels, some models come with two flex zones, which allows you to connect two zones to create a larger cooking area for larger saucepans. Certain models feature an automatic shut-off feature and an indication of residual heat. Other models also have an alarm that informs you when food is ready. Induction hobs emit an extremely low-level magnetic field at frequencies within the kilohertz range which can cause problems for certain medical devices like pacemakers, which is why it's crucial to keep them from your body when they are not in use.