Notes

The 10 Most Terrifying Things About Oven
Leave a Pot on the Hob

The recipe from Nigella's cookbook often recommends that you "leave a pan on the stove" but what does that actually mean? A hob is the British word used to describe a stove top or cooktop and could be electric or gas-powered.

Dual fuel cookers mix gas hobs and an electric oven to give you the best of both. They can provide instant heat but are more costly to operate than single fuel models.

Hobs made of solid plate

Solid plate hobs have been an integral part of homes for a long time. Their basic design comprises flat metal plates that heat up by using electricity, making them a cost-effective choice for those on a tight budget. Their low initial cost can lead to higher energy bills over time because of their inefficient use. These stoves require a great deal of heat in the residual and take longer to cool down or heat down.

A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic one which is more expensive to purchase, but far less expensive to run. Hobs are available in different styles including flat and curvy. They can be paired with ovens of a variety of shapes and sizes to suit any kitchen layout. Furthermore, they're easy to clean and blend well into the majority of modern homes.

The next step up is the induction hob, that makes use of electromagnetic fields to heat your cookware directly. The surface of the hob remains cool, which decreases the chance of burning. It is also safe for children to be around it. In addition induction hobs are the quickest of all types to heat up and cool down.

It's important to consider the way you cook and your energy requirements when deciding on the type of hob you should purchase. Solid plate hobs can be affordable, but they're not efficient. Gas and ceramic hobs, on the contrary they are more costly but are more efficient. Induction hobs provide a middle ground and combine efficiency with a elegant design.

Gas hobs

The best gas hobs are simple to use, have a sleek and elegant appearance, and are made from robust materials. They should come with a solid guarantee and be easy-to-clean. They should also be compatible with a range of cookware and offer instant heat control.

A gas hob functions by connecting the gas supply to each burner, which then burns the fuel to create a flame. The flame is heated by the pan and the air, allowing for accurate temperature control. Some models include a visual flame indicator, which makes it easy to know when the burners are turned on or off at glance. Gas hobs also have multiple burners in various sizes with automatic ignition as well as a removable drip pan.

A lot of modern gas hobs come with ceramic or stainless steel top, with some having a sleek black glass finish. Depending on the design of your kitchen there is also the possibility of choosing vented or open-burner gas cooktops. Open-burner gas stoves do not have an extractor built in that takes the steam and smoke out of the cooking pans.

Open-burner hobs sport a classic appearance with a knobs and grates made of metal and vented hobs are more modern with a glass-like surface that is flat. ovensandhobs.uk come with pan supports that are wider, which is great for larger pans and pots.

Gas hobs remain popular despite the increasing popularity of electric hobs like ceramic and induction. This is partly due to consumer preferences and the popularity of gas cooking. A number of government regulations encourage the phase-out of appliances that are based on fossil fuels and the use of energy-efficient alternatives.

All gas-powered hobs require electrical components to function, therefore it is essential to have your gas cooker installed by a certified electrician and carpenter who will ensure that all installations are safe and conform to the standards of the industry. If you're installing a gas-powered hob your electrician will have to route the power cable and gas pipe into your kitchen. In the majority of cases, this is straightforward and won't alter the plumbing or electrical connections.

Ceramic hobs


Ceramic hobs are elegant and attractive appearance, are easy to maintain, and are more efficient than gas. They function with high-powered heating elements underneath the surface of each zone. The heat is then transmitted through the glass into the pan that is above. This reduces energy wastage as it only heats the pan directly and not the air around it. They're also easy to regulate and react quickly to temperature changes.

The flat ceramic surface of a ceramic cooker is easy to clean spills and splatters are easily cleaned off with a clean cloth once they cool. It's important to remember that they're not suitable for a hot or steamy kitchen environment as the glass can break and discolor when it gets too hot.

Some people might be a bit sceptical about the fact that ceramic hobs generate some amount of heat underneath the surface, but this isn't an issue for the majority of. In fact, the majority of models are equipped with integrated cooling fans to manage this under-surface heat and stop it from affecting your workspace or kitchen. They're also insulated and designed to minimise heat transfer between the hob and your kitchen.

Another benefit of ceramic hobs is that they can be used with most kinds of cookware, in contrast to induction hobs, which require a certain type of magnetically conductive pan. However, it's recommended to avoid using any cookware made of cast iron on a ceramic hob since it can scratch the surface.

Many ceramic hobs come fitted with a variety of safety features including residual heat indicators, as well as lockout functions to help minimise accidents in the kitchen. Some have even 'overflow safety that can sense when a cooking pot is boiling and will automatically cut the power source to the area to reduce the risk of damage and mess. As with electric cookers, it's important to ensure a ceramic hob is correctly installed and configured with the correct cables and breakers for full security. It is best to leave this to a trained electrical engineer so that you can be certain that your ceramic hob is safe and reliable.

Hobs with induction

Like their name implies they feature coils underneath the surface that produce magnetic fields that create heat within the pan or in any metal objects that are placed on them. They use less energy than other kinds of hobs since they are cold until you have a pan on them. They also heat up faster because the heat is generated by the bottom of a pan, not from the entire cooktop's surface.

Like gas hobs, induction models have a control panel that you can choose your settings and also see the amount of power you're using. However, unlike traditional gas hobs, they only work with cookware that's compatible with their heating mechanism using electromagnetic energy which means that it has to have an even, flat, thick base made of ferrous metal (iron) or cast iron. Stainless steel and some non-stick pans also work, but always check the label or use a magnet along the base to ensure your cookware is compatible with induction.

Induction hobs are a favorite option for shared student halls or penthouses for student accommodation from iQ. They come with sleek LCD displays, and their contemporary design is a perfect fit for modern kitchens. They're more secure than gas hobs with traditional designs because they only start heating when the pan is placed on them. They shut off automatically after the pan is removed.

Induction hobs can operate in the same manner as an iPhone using the swipe gesture on the slider to set your preferred heat level. There are typically up and down arrows on the control panel, which allow you to adjust the power level, or a dial to precisely control the temperature.

Some models have the dual flex-zone feature, which allows you join two zones to create a larger area to cook larger saucepans. Certain models feature an automatic switch-off and an indication of residual heat. Others also have an alarm that informs you when food is ready. Induction hobs all emit low-level magnetic fields that are emitted in kilohertz. This can affect medical equipment like pacemakers.

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