Types of Hob and Oven
Hobs and ovens are a popular feature in many kitchens. They are available in various designs. You can mix different types of ovens, such as electric and gas to meet your requirements.
A hob can also come with safety features like child and control of the position. These features can stop children from accidentally changing the temperature setting or touching the hob.
Types
In every kitchen, the hob takes centre stage and plays a significant part in how your food comes out. However, there are a number of different kinds of hobs, and the one you select will depend on what your specific cooking needs are.
Gas hobs provide a classic option. They are quick to heat up and react instantly to temperature changes. Best place to buy oven and hob are a favorite choice for chefs who are professional as they are precise in their control. However, they aren't 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 are available in various sizes, with between four and six cooking zones. Each zone includes its own heating element that can be controlled individually by you. This lets you boil potatoes on one ring whilst making sausages in another. This type of hob can be quicker to heat than gas and is a child-safe alternative because the cooking zone only heats up when you place a pot on it.
Traditional ceramic hobs are a user-friendly alternative to gas and electric and are a elegant choice. They are smooth and durable. surface which is easy to wipe down but aren't as quick to respond to temperature fluctuations as other hobs, and may be slower to cool down.
Domino hobs can be a space-saving alternative to electric and gas hobs that have ovens underneath the cooking surface. They are ideal for kitchens with little space. They also work well in kitchenettes and flats. They tend to be more affordable than standard hobs, and are energy efficient, however they are also susceptible to damage and require more maintenance.
Gas
Gas hobs are cooktops with burners that are easily integrated into the kitchen countertop for a seamless appearance. Gas hobs are usually powered by LPG or natural gas, however they are also powered by propane gas. They have a sleek and modern design that can give a sophisticated touch to your modular kitchen.
A traditional gas stove is fitted with a variety of burners. There are usually four, but there can be as many as six. The flames are ignited using a match or by turning the knob. The flames can then be controlled by the valves that can be adjusted to regulate temperature.
Most modern built-in gas stoves however are equipped with burners that have multiple flames. This allows you to control both the inner and outer ring for each burner so that you can precisely control your cooking. These burners are faster and more reliable than earlier models.
In the past, it was required for gas stoves to be lit at all times to ensure that the burners remained hot and well-fueled. This was to avoid accidents, such as accidentally turning on an oven when the stove is still lit with the help of a match or a pilot light. Modern cookers have been made with safety in mind as a priority. They come equipped with a flame failure device which shuts down the burners when the pilot light is not working.
Gas stoves and hobs need to be checked regularly and cleaned, as well as maintained. The best way to do this is to arrange an appointment for maintenance with a licensed Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able check your appliance is operating properly, but they can offer professional advice and guidance on how to avoid problems in the near future.
Electricity
A good hob is just as important when it comes to making your kitchen the best it can be. Refrigerators, worktops, freezers, and ovens are the first things that come to your mind. Whether you opt for a traditional, induction or gas cooker, the type of hob you choose can affect how your kitchen functions and how easy it is to keep clean.
Electric hobs are equipped with heating elements set beneath a smooth glass surface. This is usually cleaned with a nonabrasive cleaning product. The elements turn on when you turn on the hob and can be adjusted to a range of power levels by turning or clicking a control knob. They may take longer to warm up than gas cookers, but once they are done, they usually provide more constant temperature control. They are equipped with indicators that tell you whether a particular area is hot or not.
They are available in a range of four to six sizes and can be notch-up up to different power levels. They are ideal for flat-based cookware but aren't the best choice for cast iron pans because they can get hot. Some models come with dual-ring designs (such as the Belling BEL CH602T) that permit boiling water on one ring and saute sausages on another. Some models come with a Boost function that focuses high-temperature elements into one ring. This is helpful for stirring-frying, searing meat or boiling large pots.
Induction hobs are different from standard electric models because they use electromagnetic fields instead of traditional gas flames to heat your cookware. This allows them to achieve precise temperatures in a short time frame, which makes them extremely energy efficient. They have 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 element that can be used to create decorative or practical objects. It is formed by mixing clay, earthen elements powders, water and other elements to a specific shape, then subsequently fired in a high-temperature oven known as the Kiln. After it's been made, it can be covered with paint-like or decorative materials to add colour and texture.
Ceramic hobs combine design and function to create a stunning piece of contemporary kitchen furniture. They work by using radiant heating technology, passing an electric current through coiled elements hidden beneath the black glass surface of the hob. These generate heat when activated. This is transferred to your pan via an infrared system. You can adjust the degree of heating using the knobs or touch controls.
Some ceramic hobs have two rings, each with one smaller and one with a larger cooking area. This allows you to select the right size for your pan. You can also purchase hobs with boosters that generate high-powered heat quickly. This is ideal for searing food or bringing pans to boil fast.
Compared to other types of hobs, ceramic cooktops generally take longer to warm up and change temperature however once they do, they're typically more efficient in terms of energy consumption. You can also find vented cooktops that incorporate an air-conditioning system inside the ceramic cooktop, ensuring steam, smoke and cooking smells don't stay within your home.
Induction
The heating elements of hobs with induction are made up of a series of copper wire coils under the surface, which create electromagnets that heat the pans sitting on them. The coils move free electrons in your pan's metal base which transmits heat efficiently and directly to your food. The surface of the hob never gets hot and, as soon as you remove your pan the cooking zones are turned off automatically.
Induction hobs are usually more expensive than other types, but they're also faster to heat and use 30-70% less energy than gas or ceramic hobs. They're also easier to clean, since the surface of the hob isn't hot, and only the contents of your pan do.
Certain manufacturers have an induction model that has additional features, like a pause function that cuts off the power to your stove when you walk away, or the ability to link two cooking rings simultaneously at the same time for more flexibility. They are commonly called FlexInduction hobs. They can be more expensive than traditional induction models but they're worth a look if you like to multitask.
This induction hob is our top choice. It comes with four cooking zones as well as a Bridge function and nine power settings, giving you plenty of options for cooks who want to be more adventurous. It did well in our test with a fast heating speed and accurate control when making pancakes. The hob has dishwasher built-in and automatic pan detection to make cleaning easier. The only problem is that there are only a handful of compatible pans and you can't make use of it for cooking 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 certain pieces are suitable for use on induction hobs.