Types of Hob and Oven

Hobs and ovens are common fixture in kitchens. They are available in various designs. You can mix different types of ovens, like gas and electric to meet your requirements.

Safety features like child and position controls could be integrated into the hob. These are designed to prevent children from touching the hob and stop them from changing the heat settings accidentally.

Types

In the heart of every kitchen, the hob is at the center of the room and plays a significant part in how your cooking is executed. There are many kinds of hobs, and which one you choose depends on the needs of your kitchen.

Gas hobs are a popular option. They are quick to heat up and respond immediately to temperature fluctuations. They are a preferred choice for chefs who are professional as they offer precise control. They aren't as easy as other hobs to clean and could require more frequent maintenance.

Electric hobs are a flat ceramic surface that has heated elements beneath. They are available in a variety of sizes with between four and six cooking zones. Each zone has its own heating element, which can be controlled by you. It is possible to boil potatoes in one ring while cooking sausages in another. This kind of hob is quicker to start heating than gas, and it offers a safer alternative for children since the cooking zone is heated only when you place an oven on it.

Traditional ceramic hobs are a very comfortable alternative to electric and gas and are a elegant choice. They have a smooth, hard-wearing surface that is easy to clean but aren't as responsive to temperature changes like other hobs and can be slower to cool down.

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

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 add sophistication to your modular cooking space.

A traditional gas stove comes with a number of burners. There are usually four burners, however it can be up to six. The flames are ignited using the use of a match or the knob. The flames are controlled by a series of valves that can be adjusted to control the temperature.

Most modern built-in gas stoves, on the other hand are equipped with burners that have multiple flames. This allows you to control both the outer and the inner ring for each burner to allow you to precisely control your cooking. They are also much more efficient and more reliable than older models.

In the past, it was necessary for a gas stove to be continuously lit to ensure that the burners remained hot and fueled. This was a safety measure to avoid accidents such as not turning off the oven hob while the stove was still lit by match or pilot flame. Modern cookers are designed with safety in mind. They have a built-in flame failure device that shuts down the burners automatically if the pilot light fail.

Gas stoves and hobs must be checked, cleaned and maintained regularly. The best hob uk method 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 functions correctly, but also give you expert advice on how you can prevent any future issues.

Electricity

When it comes to designing your perfect kitchen the worktops, fridge freezer and ovens will always get the most attention, however a quality hob is also essential. Whichever type you choose, conventional, induction or gas cooker the type of hob you choose can affect how your kitchen functions and how easy it is to clean.

Electric hobs are powered by heating elements underneath the glass surface, which is typically cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner. These elements are activated when you switch on the hob and can be adjusted to different power levels with a knob. They can take some time to get heated up however once they are heated, they tend to provide more reliable and consistent temperature control. They also have built-in indicators to let you know when a space is being used or hot from cooking.

Typically, they are available in a range of four to six sizes of rings that can be notched up to various power levels. They are great for flat-based cookware however they aren't the ideal option for cast-iron pans since they can overheat. Certain models come with dual-ring designs (such as the Belling BEL CH602T) that allow you to boil water on one ring while you saute sausages on another. Some models come with a Boost function that focuses high-temperature elements into one ring. This is great for stir-frying, searing meat, or boiling large pots.

Induction hobs differ from normal 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 to signal that the ring is in use or is still hot.

Ceramic

Ceramic is a material that can be used to create functional or decorative objects. It is formed by mixing clay, earthen elements powders, water and other elements to the desired shape, then fired in a high-temperature oven called the Kiln. After it's been made, it can be covered with paint-like or decorative materials to give it a more textured and vibrant look.

Ceramic hobs are a stunning blend of function and form, sitting comfortably in any modern kitchen. Radiant heating technology is employed to heat ceramic hobs by passing an electric current through coiled components which are hidden beneath the black glass surface. They generate heat when activated, which is then transferred to the pan via an infrared system. You can adjust the degree of heating using the knobs or the touch controls.

Some ceramic hobs come with dual rings, with a smaller and a larger cooking area. This allows you to choose the appropriate size for your pan. There are hobs equipped with booster burners that generate high-powered heat rapidly, great for searing meat or bringing pans of boiling water to the boil quickly.

Compared to other types of hobs ceramic cooktops generally take longer to heat up and alter temperature, but once they do they are generally more efficient in energy use. You can also find vented hobs that incorporate a ventilation system into the ceramic cooktop, ensuring the cooking smells don't linger in your home.

Induction

The heating elements inside hobs with induction are made up of copper wire coils under the surface, which produce electromagnets to heat the pans sitting on them. The coils stir up the free electrons within the base of your pan and then transfer heat uniformly and directly to your food. The surface of the stove is never hot, and the cooking zones are automatically turned off when your pan is removed.

Induction hobs are typically more expensive, however they also heat up faster and use 30 to 70% less energy than gas or other types. They are also easier to clean, since the surface of the hob isn't heated, but the contents of your pan do.

Certain manufacturers offer a specific induction model with extra features, such as a pause feature, which cuts the power to your stove when you step away from it, or link up two cooking rings at the same power level to provide greater flexibility. They are often referred to as FlexInduction hobs. They are more costly than traditional induction models, but they're worth a look if multitasking is important to you.

Our top choice is this induction hob made by Smeg. It has four cooking zones of good size, a bridge function and nine power levels, giving you a variety of options for ambitious cooks. In our tests, it performed very well with precise control and rapid heating when making pancakes. The hob has a built in dishwasher and automatic pan detection to make cleaning much easier. The only issue is that there are only a few compatible pans, and you cannot use it to cook with utensils with magnetic bases. This can be a challenge in the event that you have a large amount of non-compatible cookware or only some of them are suitable for use on induction hobs.