Types of Hob and Oven
A hob and oven is an essential part of many kitchens, and comes in a variety of designs. You can mix different types, such as electric and gas, to suit your needs.
A hob may also be equipped with safety features, such as child and position controls. These features can prevent children from accidentally altering the temperature setting or touching the hob.
Types
The hob is the main focal element of any kitchen and can have a major impact on the final outcome of your cooking. There are many different types of hobs, and which one you select will depend on the cooking requirements you have.
Gas hobs are a classic choice and offer a fast heating process and instant reaction to temperature changes. Professional chefs favor them because they provide precise control. However, they aren't as clean as other hobs, and they may require a higher level of maintenance.
Electric hobs have a flat ceramic surface with heated elements underneath. They are available in a variety of sizes and come with four to six cooking zones. Each zone has its own heating element, which can be controlled separately by you. This allows you to boil potatoes on one ring and cooking sausages in another. This type of hob can be faster to heat than gas and provides a child-safe alternative as the cooking zone only heats up when you place a pan on it.
Ceramic hobs offer a stylish and user-friendly alternative to electric and gas hobs. They have a smooth, durable surface that is easy to clean but 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 incorporate ovens beneath the cooking surface. They can be incorporated into smaller kitchens with little space for installation and are ideal for kitchenettes and flats. They are usually less expensive than standard hobs, and can be energy efficient, but they are also prone to breaking and require greater maintenance.
Gas
A gas hob is a cooking surface with burners that can be installed in kitchen countertops to create an elegant look. They are typically used with natural or the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) but can also be powered by propane gas. The sleek, modern design could bring sophistication to your modular cooking space.
A traditional gas stove has a range of burners, typically 4 but often as many as 6. The burners can be ignited with a match or knob. The flames are controlled by an array of valves that can be adjusted to regulate temperature.
Most modern built-in gas stoves however, have burners with multiple flames. This lets you control both the outer and the inner ring for each burner so that you can precisely control your cooking. These types of burners offer faster heat up times and are more reliable than the traditional ones.
In the past, it was required for gas stoves to be constantly lit to ensure that the burners remained hot and fueled. This was a safety measure to avoid accidents like not turning off the oven while the stove was still lit by a match or a the pilot flame. Modern cookers have been built with safety as a priority. They are fitted with a fire failure device that shuts off the burners if the pilot light fails to work.
Gas stoves and hobs should be inspected, cleaned and maintained on a regular basis. To achieve this, it is recommended to make an appointment with an 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.
Electricity
A well-designed hob is just as important when it comes to making the perfect kitchen. Worktops, refrigerators, freezers and ovens are always the first things that pop up to the mind. If you choose a conventional, induction, or gas cooker, the type of hob you choose can impact the way your kitchen functions and how easy it is to keep clean.
Electric hobs are powered by heating elements that are placed on the glass surface, which is typically cleaned with an non-abrasive cleaner. The elements turn on when you turn on the hob and can be notched up to various power levels by turning or adjusting a control knob. It may take them a little bit longer to warm up, but once they have they are in place, they provide more stable and reliable temperature control. They have built-in indicators that tell you whether a particular area is hot or not.
These rings are available in four to six different sizes and can be notch-up up to different power levels. These are great for cookware with a flat base, but not for cast iron pans, because they could overheat. Some models have dual-ring designs (such as the Belling BEL CH602T) that permit boiling water on one ring while you saute sausages on another. Some models have a Boost function that concentrates high-temperature elements into one ring. This is helpful for stir-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. 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 that signal that a ring is in use or still hot.
Ceramic
Ceramic is a material that can be made into decorative or practical objects. It is made by mixing clay with earthen elements, powders and water, before firing it in a high-temperature oven known as a Kiln. After it's been made it is then covered with paint-like or decorative materials to add colour and texture.
Ceramic hobs combine design and function to make an exquisite piece of modern 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. When they are activated, they produce heat that is then transferred to your pan through an infrared system. You can adjust the level of heating using the knobs or the touch controls.
Certain ceramic hobs feature dual rings, with the smaller and the larger cooking area. This lets you choose the ideal size for your pan. There are hobs that have boosters that create powerful heat quickly. This is great for searing food or bringing pans to a boil quickly.
Ceramic cooktops are more energy efficient than other types of hobs because they take longer to heat up and switch temperatures. You can also opt for vented hobs, which integrate a ventilation system with the ceramic cooktop. This makes sure that smoke, steam, and cooking smells do not stay in your home.
Induction
Induction hobs have heating elements comprised of copper wire coils. These coils generate electromagnets that heat the pans placed on the top. The coils stir up free electrons within the base metal of your pan which in turn, distributes heat evenly to your food. The surface of the stove is never hot and the cooking zones are automatically turned off as soon as your pan is removed.
Induction hobs are generally more expensive, but they also heat up faster and use 30 to 70% less energy than gas or other kinds. They are also easier to clean since the surface of the hob isn't hot, and only the contents of the pan do.
Some manufacturers offer a special induction model with extra features, such as a pause function that shuts off the power to your cooker when you leave it, or connect two cooking rings at the same power level to provide greater flexibility. These are often referred to as FlexInduction hobs. They can be more expensive than traditional induction models but they're worth looking into if prefer to multitask.
Our top pick is this induction hob from Smeg, which has four good-sized cooking zones with a bridge function as well as nine power levels that give you plenty of choice for those who want to cook with a lot of passion. It was a great performer during our test with fast heating and accurate control when making pancakes. The oven also has a built-in dishwasher and an automatic pan detection feature to make cleaning a lot more simple. There is a limited selection of compatible pans, and it can't be used to cook using the utensils with magnetic bases. It could be a problem if have a large amount of cookware that is not compatible, or only the smallest portion is compatible with induction cooktops.