Types of Hob and Oven
A oven and hob is an essential part of many kitchens, and comes in a variety of designs. You can mix different types of ovens, such as electric and gas to meet your needs.
A hob could also come with safety features, such as child and position controls. These are designed to prevent children from touching the stove and stop them from changing the temperature settings in error.
Types
In the heart of every kitchen, the stove takes centre stage and plays a major part in how your cooking comes out. There are a variety of kinds of hobs and the one you choose will depend on what your specific cooking requirements are.
Gas hobs are a classic option. They are quick to heat up and respond immediately to temperature fluctuations. They are a popular choice for chefs who are professional as they offer precise control. They are not as easy to clean as other stoves and could require more frequent maintenance.
Electric hobs are flat ceramic surface that has heated elements beneath and can come in various sizes, with between four and six cooking zones. Each zone has its own heating element which you can regulate individually. It is possible to boil potatoes in one ring while cooking sausages on another. This kind of hob can be quicker to heat than gas and provides a child-safe option because the cooking zone only heats up when you place a pot on it.
Traditional ceramic hobs are a very comfortable alternative to gas and electric and are also a very elegant choice. They have an extremely smooth and durable surface that is easy to clean. However they aren't as fast to respond to temperature fluctuations or cool down as other hobs.
Domino hobs are an alternative to electric and gas hobs that combine ovens below the cooking surface. They can be incorporated into smaller kitchens that have little space for installation and are suitable for kitchenettes and flats. They are usually less expensive than conventional hobs and are energy efficient, however they are also susceptible to damage and require more maintenance.
Gas
Gas hobs are cooktops equipped with burners that can be easily fitted into the kitchen countertop to create a seamless look. Gas hobs are typically powered by LPG or natural gas, however they are also powered by propane gas. The modern, sleek design can bring sophistication to your kitchen space.
A traditional gas stove comes with several burners, usually 4, but often as many as 6. They are ignited by either the use of a match or the knob. The flames are controlled by a series of valves that can be adjusted to set the temperature.
In contrast, most modern built-in gas hobs have multi-flame burners that let you control the inner and outer ring of each burner to precisely manage your cooking. These burners are faster and more reliable than earlier models.
In the past, it was essential to keep a gas stove lit continuously to ensure that the burners are always hot and fueled. This was done to prevent accidents, for example, accidentally turning on an oven while the stove is still lit with a match or pilot light. Modern cookers are designed with safety in mind. They come with a built-in fire failure device that shuts off the burners automatically should the pilot light fail.
Gas stoves and hobs need to be cleaned, checked, and maintained regularly. To achieve this, it is recommended to arrange a visit with an Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able check your appliance is functioning properly and safely, but they will also provide professional advice and guidance on how to prevent any issues in the future.
Electricity
When it comes to creating your dream kitchen, the kitchen worktops, fridge freezer, and ovens will always get the most attention but a quality hob is also essential. If you choose a conventional, induction, or gas cooker, the kind of hob you pick can impact how your kitchen operates and how easy it is to clean.
Electric hobs have 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 the hob on and can be notched up to a range of power levels by turning or clicking on a knob. They can take a little bit longer to heat up, but once they have they have a tendency to offer more reliable and consistent temperature control. They also have built-in indicators to let you know that a zone is in use or still hot from cooking.
They are available in a range of four to six sizes and can be notch-up up to various power levels. They are perfect for flat-based cookware, but aren't the best option for cast-iron pans because they can get hot. Some models (such as Belling BELCH602T) have dual-ring designs which allow you to cook sausages and boil water on the same ring. Some models come with a 'boost' feature which concentrates high-powered heat onto a single ring for stir fry cooking sauteing meat, or boiling large pots of water.
Induction hobs differ from standard electric hobs in that they utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat your cookware instead of the traditional method of gas flames. This enables them to achieve precise temperatures in a smaller space of time and makes them highly energy efficient. They have a cool-to the touch surface as well as flashing indicators that indicate that a ring has been used or is still hot.
Ceramic
Ceramics can be used to make decorative or functional objects. It is made by mixing clay with earthen elements, powders and water, and then firing it in a hot oven known as Kiln. Once made it can be sprayed with paint-like or decorative materials to add colour and texture.
Ceramic hobs are a stunning blend of function and form that can be easily integrated into any modern kitchen. Radiant heating technology is employed to heat ceramic hobs by passing an electrical current over coiled elements that are hidden under the black glass surface. These generate heat when activated, which is then transferred to the pan through an infrared system. You can alter the intensity of the heating by using the knobs or touch controls.
Certain ceramic hobs have dual ring designs that have one smaller and one larger cooking zone that lets you select the most suitable size for your pan. You can also buy hobs with boosters that generate high-powered heat rapidly. This is ideal for searing food or bringing pans to boil fast.
Ceramic cooktops are more energy efficient than other kinds of hobs because they take longer to heat up and switch temperatures. There are vented cooktops that incorporate a ventilation system into the ceramic cooktop, ensuring smoke, steam and cooking smells aren't left within your home.
Induction
The heating elements of hobs with induction are made up of copper wire coils beneath the surface that produce electromagnets to heat the pans sitting on them. hobs oven agitate the free electrons within the base of your pan and then transfer heat uniformly and directly to your food. The surface of the hob is never hot, and as soon as you remove your pan the cooking zones switch off automatically.
Induction hobs tend to be more expensive, however they also are more efficient in heating and consume 30 to 70% less energy than gas or other types. They're also easier to clean, because the surface of the hob isn't heated, but the contents of your pan do.
Some manufacturers offer an induction model that comes with extra features, such as the pause feature, which cuts the power to the stove after you have left or link two cooking rings simultaneously at the same time for greater flexibility. They are commonly referred to as FlexInduction hobs. They are more expensive than traditional models, however they're worth considering if you like to multitask.
Our favorite is this induction hob from Smeg. It has four good-sized cooking zones with a bridge function as well as nine power levels, giving you a variety of options for those who want to cook with a lot of passion. In our tests, it did well with precise control and quick heating when making pancakes. The cooker comes with dishwasher built-in and automatic pan detection, which makes cleaning easier. The only issue 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 problem in the event that you have a large amount of non-compliant cookware, or just certain pieces are suitable for induction cooktops.