Types of Hob and oven with hob

Hobs and best ovens and hobs are common feature in most kitchens. They are available in a variety of designs. You can also mix different types like domino, electric and gas to suit your cooking requirements.

Safety features like child and position controls could be included in the hob. These can prevent children from touching the hob, and stop them changing the heat settings in error.

Types

In the heart of every kitchen, the stove is at the center of the room and can play a huge part in how your cooking comes out. There are a number of different kinds of hobs and the one you choose will depend on what your specific cooking needs are.

Gas hobs are the classic choice and offer a fast heat-up function and instant reaction to temperature changes. They are a preferred choice for professional chefs as they offer precise control. However, they're not as clean as other hobs, and they may require a higher level of maintenance.

Electric hobs are flat ceramic surface with heated elements beneath. They can come in various sizes, with between four and six cooking zones. Each zone is equipped with a distinct heating element that you can control individually. It is possible to boil potatoes in one ring while cooking sausages on a different. This kind of hob is quicker to warm up than gas, and also offers an alternative that is safer for children since the cooking area becomes hot only when you put an oven hob on it.

Traditional ceramic hobs are a user-friendly alternative to gas and electric and are also a very stylish option. They have a smooth, hard-wearing surface that is easy to clean, but they aren't as quick to respond 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 combine ovens below the cooking surface. They are perfect for kitchens that have small space. They can also be used in kitchenettes and flats. They are typically less expensive than standard hobs and can be very energy-efficient however they are also fragile and require more care than other types of cooker.

Gas

Gas hobs are cooktops that have burners that are easily integrated into kitchen countertops to create a seamless look. Gas hobs are typically powered by LPG or natural gas, however they can also be powered by propane gas. The modern, sleek design can bring sophistication to your modular cooking space.

A traditional gas stove comes with a variety of burners. There are usually four, but there can be up to six. The burners can be lit by a match or a knob. The flames are controlled by an array of valves that can be adjusted in temperature.

Contrary to this, modern built-in gas hobs have multi-flame burners that allow you to manage the outer and inner ring of each burner to control your cooking. These types of burners offer faster heat up times and are more reliable than traditional ones.

Traditionally, it was necessary to keep a gas stove lit all the time to ensure that the burners are constantly fueled and hot. This was a security feature to avoid accidents like accidentally turning on the oven while the stove was still lit by a match or a pilot flame. Modern cookers are designed with safety in mind and have a built-in flame failure device that shuts down the burners immediately should the pilot light fail.

Gas stoves and hobs require to be checked regularly and cleaned as well as maintained. The best ovens and hobs way to do this is to book an appointment for maintenance with a certified Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only ensure that your appliance is functioning correctly, but also give you expert guidance on how to avoid any future problems.

Electric

When it comes to designing your dream kitchen, the kitchen worktops, fridge freezer, and ovens will always get the most attention but the quality of your hob is equally important. Whichever type you choose, conventional, induction or gas cooker, the type of hob you choose can affect the way your kitchen functions and how easy it is to clean.

Electric hobs are powered by heating elements under a smooth glass surface that's typically cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaning agent. The elements turn on when you turn on the hob and can be notched up to a variety of power levels by turning or clicking on a knob. They can take some time to warm up however once they are heated, they are in place, they provide more reliable and consistent temperature control. They also come with indicators that inform you when a space is active or hot from cooking.

Typically, they are available in a range of four to six sizes that can be notched up to various levels of power. They are perfect for cookware with a flat base however they aren't the ideal choice for cast iron pans because they can get hot. Certain models come with dual-ring designs (such as the Belling BEL CH602T) that allow boiling water on one ring and saute sausages on another. Some models come with a Boost feature that concentrates the highest heat in one ring. This is useful for stirring-frying, searing meat or boiling large pots.

Induction hobs differ from standard electric hobs in that they utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware rather than the conventional method of gas flames. This enables them to achieve precise temperatures in a short period of time, making them highly energy efficient. They feature a cool to the touch surface, and flashing indicators that let you know that a ring has been used or is still hot.

Ceramic

Ceramic is an ingredient which can be transformed into decorative or practical objects. It's formed by mixing earthen elements, clay, powders and water to the desired shape, then subsequently fired in a high-temperature oven known as a kiln. Once made, it can be covered with paint-like or decorative materials to add color and texture.

Ceramic hobs are a stunning combination of form and function and can be found in any modern kitchen. Radiant heating technology is used to heat ceramic hobs by passing an electric current over coiled elements that are concealed beneath the black glass surface. They generate heat when activated, which is transferred to your pan via an infrared system. You can adjust the intensity of this heating by controlling the controls via touch or knobs.

Some ceramic hobs are dual-ring designs, having one smaller and one larger cooking zone that lets you select the ideal size for your pan. You can also find hobs equipped with booster burners that produce high-powered heat in a short time ideal for searing meat or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil in a short time.

As compared to other types of hobs, ceramic cooktops typically take longer to warm up and then change temperature however once they do, they're generally more energy-efficient. You can also find vented hobs that integrate a ventilation system into the ceramic cooktop, ensuring steam, smoke and cooking smells don't linger in your home.

Induction

The heating elements inside induction hobs consist of a set of copper wire coils that are placed beneath the surface. They generate electromagnets to heat pans sat on them. The coils move free electrons within the base of your pot, which then transmits heat uniformly and directly to your food. The surface of the stove never gets hot and, the moment you remove your pan the cooking zones are turned off automatically.

Induction hobs are usually more expensive than other hobs, but they're also faster to heat and consume 30 to 70% less energy than gas or ceramic hobs. Induction hobs are also less difficult to clean since only the contents of the pan gets hot and not the surface.

Certain manufacturers offer an induction model that has additional features, like a pause feature that shuts off power to your stove when you leave, or the ability to link two cooking rings simultaneously at the same power for more flexibility. They are commonly called FlexInduction hobs. They are more expensive than traditional induction models, but they're worth considering if you are a multi-tasker.

This induction hob is our top pick. It has four large cooking zones with a Bridge function and nine power settings, giving you plenty of options for those who are ambitious cooks. In our tests, it performed well with precise control and rapid heating when making pancakes. The oven also has dishwasher built-in and an automatic pan detection function to make cleaning a lot more simple. The only problem is that there are only a handful of compatible pans that can use it to cook with appliances with magnetic bases. This could be a problem when you have a lot of non-compliant cookware, or just certain pieces are suitable for induction hobs.