Types of Hob and Oven

A oven and hob is an essential part of many kitchens and can come in a variety of styles. You can mix and match different types like domino, electric and gas to suit your cooking requirements.

Safety features such as the controls for child and position can be added to a hob. These are designed to prevent children from touching the hob and stop them changing the temperature settings by accident.

Types

In the center of every kitchen, the hob is at the center of the room and can play a huge part in how your food is executed. However, there are a variety of types of hob and the one you choose will depend on what your specific cooking requirements are.

Gas hobs are a popular option. They are quick to heat up and respond instantly to temperature changes. Professional chefs favor them because they are precise in their control. They aren't as easy to clean as other hobs and could require more frequent maintenance.

Electric hobs are flat ceramic surface that has heated elements beneath. They can come in a variety of sizes with between four and six cooking zones. Each zone has a separate heating element which you can regulate individually. It is possible to boil potatoes in one ring and cook sausages in another. This type of hob can be faster to heat than gas and offers an option for children to be safe because the cooking zone only becomes hot when you place a pot on it.

Traditional ceramic hobs are a very comfortable alternative to electric and gas and are also a very elegant choice. They have a smooth, hard-wearing surface that 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.

The Domino hob is a space-saving alternative to electric and gas hobs. It has ovens hobs underneath the cooking surface. They are perfect for kitchens that have limited space. They are also suitable for kitchenettes and flats. They are typically less expensive than standard hobs and can be extremely energy efficient however they can be brittle and require more attention than other types of cookers.

Gas

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

A traditional gas stove has various burners, typically 4 but sometimes as many as 6. They are ignited by either an igniter or by turning the knob. The flames are then controlled by a series of valves which can be adjusted to regulate the temperature.

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

Traditionally, it was necessary to keep a gas stove lit continuously to ensure the burners were always hot and fueled. This was to avoid accidents, for example, the mistake of turning on an oven uk when the stove is still lit by a match or pilot light. Modern cookers are built with safety as a top priority. They are fitted with a fire failure device which shuts down the burners in the event that the pilot light fails to work.

Gas stoves and hobs must be checked, cleaned, and maintained regularly. The best ovens and hobs uk way to accomplish this is to arrange a maintenance visit with a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able to ensure that 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 ideal kitchen, the worktops, fridge freezer and oven will always get the most attention but a good hob is equally important. The type of hob that you choose will affect the way your kitchen functions and how easy it is for you to clean.

Electric hobs use heating elements that are placed on a smooth glass surface which is typically cleaned with an non-abrasive cleaner. 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. It can take them a little bit longer to heat up, but once they have they tend to provide better and more consistent temperature control. They have built-in indicators that let you know whether a particular area is hot or not.

Typically, they come in a range of four to six sizes that can be notched up to various levels of power. They are ideal for cookware with a flat base, but aren't the best hobs uk option for cast iron pans because they can get hot. Certain models (such as Belling BELCH602T) have dual-ring designs that allow you to cook sausages and boil water on the same ring. Some models come with a Boost function that concentrates high heat into one ring. This is useful for stir-frying, searing meat, or boiling large pots.

Induction hobs are distinct from conventional electric hobs because they make use of electromagnetic fields instead of conventional gas flames to heat your cookware. They can reach precise temperatures quicker and are more energy efficient. They also have a cool-to-the-touch surface and flashing heat indicators that signal that the ring is in use or is still hot.

Ceramic

Ceramics can be used to make functional or decorative objects. It is made by mixing earthen elements, clay, powders and water to the desired shape, then subsequently fired in a high-temperature oven, also known as a kiln. Once made it is then covered with paint-like or decorative materials to give it a more textured and vibrant look.

Ceramic hobs are an exquisite blend of function and form and can be found in any modern kitchen. Radiant heating technology is employed to heat ceramic hobs by passing an electrical current through coiled elements which are hidden beneath the black glass surface. When activated, they generate heat that is then transferred to your pan by an infrared system. You can adjust the degree of heating by turning the knobs or the touch controls.

Certain ceramic hobs feature dual rings, with a smaller and a larger cooking zone. This allows you to choose the appropriate size for your pan. There are hobs that have boosters that create high-powered heat quickly. This is great for searing food or bringing pans to boil fast.

Ceramic cooktops are more efficient in energy than other types of hobs as they take longer to heat up and alter temperatures. You can also find vented hobs that integrate a ventilation system within the cooktop's ceramic surface, making sure smoke, steam and cooking smells don't linger within your home.

Induction

The heating elements of hobs with induction are made up of a series of copper wire coils under the surface. They produce electromagnets to heat the pans sat on them. The coils move free electrons inside the base of your pan, which then transmits heat efficiently and directly to your food. The surface of the stove never gets hot and, the moment you remove your pan the cooking zones switch off automatically.

Induction hobs are typically more expensive, but they also are more efficient in heating and consume 30 to 70% less energy than gas or other types. They are also easier to clean, because the surface of the hob doesn't get hot and only the contents of your pan do.

Certain manufacturers offer an induction model that has additional features such as the ability to pause that shuts off power to your hob when you leave it, or link up two cooking rings at the same time at the same power level for added flexibility. These are often referred to as FlexInduction hobs. They are more expensive than traditional induction models but they're worth a look if you like to multitask.

Our favorite is this induction hob from Smeg, which has four cooking zones that are large enough with a bridge function as well as nine power levels that give you a wide range of options for those who want to cook with a lot of passion. It was a great performer in our test with a fast heating speed and accurate control when making pancakes. The oven comes with a built in dishwasher and automatic pan detection, which makes cleaning much easier. There's a small selection of pans that are compatible, and it can't be used for cooking with utensils that have a magnetic base. This could be a problem in the event that you have a large amount of non-compatible cookware or only some of them are suitable for induction hobs.