Types of Hob and Oven
A hob and oven is a common part of most kitchens, and comes in a variety of designs. You can even mix types like domino, electric and gas to fit your cooking needs.
A hob can also be equipped with safety features, such as child and control of the position. These features can prevent children from accidentally changing the heat setting or touching the hob.
Types
In the heart of every kitchen, the hob is at the center of the room and plays a major part in how your food is executed. There are many different types of hobs, and which one you pick will depend on the needs of your kitchen.
Gas hobs are the most popular option and provide a quick heating function and instant response to temperature changes. They are a popular choice for professional chefs as they are precise in their control. However, they're not as clean as other hobs, and they may require more maintenance.
Electric hobs are made of ceramic with a flat surface and heated elements beneath. They are available in various sizes and have up to six cooking zones. Each zone is equipped with a distinct heating element that you can control individually. It is possible to boil potatoes in one ring while cooking sausages on another. This type of hob is able to be faster to heat than gas and offers a child-safe alternative as the cooking zone is only heated when you place a pot on it.
Traditional ceramic
best hobs uk are an extremely user-friendly alternative to gas and electric and are also a stylish option. They have a smooth, hard-wearing 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.
The Domino hob is an alternative to electric and gas hobs. It incorporates ovens under the cooking surface. They can be incorporated into smaller kitchens that have limited installation space and are suitable for flats and kitchenettes. They are often cheaper than a standard cooker and are energy efficient however they are also fragile and require more care than other types of cookers.
Gas
Gas hobs are cooktops with burners that are easily fitted into the kitchen countertop for a seamless appearance. Gas hobs are usually powered by LPG or natural gas, but they can also be powered by propane gas. The modern, sleek design can bring sophistication to your kitchen space.
A traditional gas stove has several burners, usually 4 but often as many as 6. The flames are ignited using a match or by turning the knob. The flames are controlled by a series of valves which can be adjusted to set the temperature.
In contrast, most modern gas hobs with built-in gas are equipped with multi-flame burners that allow you to manage the outer and inner rings of each burner to manage your cooking. These types of burners offer quicker heat up times and are more reliable than the old-fashioned ones.
Traditionally, it was necessary to keep a gas burner lit constantly to ensure that the burners are constantly fueled and hot. This was a safety measure to avoid accidents such as not turning off the oven even though the stove was lit by match or the pilot flame. Modern cookers have been made with safety in mind as a priority. They are equipped with a flame failure device which shuts down the burners if the pilot light fails.
Gas stoves and hobs need to be regularly checked, cleaned and maintained. The
best ovens and hobs uk way to ensure this is to arrange a maintenance visit with a qualified Gas Safe registered engineer. They will not only be able ensure that your appliance is operating correctly, but also give you expert advice on how you can avoid any future problems.
Electricity
When it comes to designing your ideal kitchen, the kitchen worktops, fridge freezer, and
oven will always receive the most attention, however the quality of your hob is also essential. The type of hob that you select will impact the way your kitchen operates and how easy for you to clean.
Electric hobs use heating elements under a smooth glass surface which is typically cleaned with a non-abrasive cleaner. These elements are activated when you turn on the hob and can be notched up to a range of power levels by turning or pressing the control knob. It may take them a little bit longer to get heated up, but once they have they tend to provide more stable and reliable temperature control. They are equipped with indicators that tell you if a zone is hot or not.
Typically, they come in four to six different sized rings which can be adjusted to various levels of power. They are great for cookware that is flat, but aren't the
best ovens choice for cast iron pans as they can overheat. Some models (such as Belling BELCH602T) come with dual rings which allow you to cook sausages and boil water on the same ring. Some models even have a 'boost' function which concentrates high-powered heat onto one ring for stir fry cooking sauteing meats, searing or boiling large pots of water.
Induction hobs are different from regular electric models due to the fact that they utilize electromagnetic fields instead of conventional gas flames to cook your food. They can achieve precise temperatures faster and are more energy efficient. They feature a cool to the touch surface, and flashing indicators that inform you that a ring has been used or is still hot.
Ceramic
Ceramics can be used to make functional or decorative objects. It is made by mixing clay with earthen elements, powders, and water, and firing it in a hot oven, also known as a Kiln. Once it's made it can be painted or covered with decorative materials to give it texture and colour.
Ceramic hobs are a perfect blend of design and function to make an impressive piece of contemporary kitchen furniture. Radiant heating technology is employed to heat ceramic hobs by passing an electrical current through coiled elements that are concealed beneath the black glass surface. These generate heat when activated, which is then transferred to the pan through an infrared system. You can adjust the level of heating by turning the knobs or the touch controls.
Some ceramic hobs come with two rings, each with one smaller and one with a larger cooking area. This allows you to choose the ideal size for your pan. You can also buy hobs with boosters that generate powerful heat quickly. This is great to cook food in or bring pans to boil fast.
Compared to other types of hobs ceramic cooktops take a little longer to warm up and change temperature, but once they do they're typically more efficient in terms of energy consumption. You can also find vented hobs that integrate a ventilation system within the cooktop's ceramic, making sure that steam, smoke and cooking smells aren't left within your home.
Induction
Induction hobs contain heating elements that are made up of copper wire coils. They generate electromagnets, which heat the pans placed on the top. The coils stir up the free electrons inside your pan's base metal, which then transfers heat evenly to your food. The surface of the stove is never hot, and as soon as you remove your pan the cooking zones switch off automatically.
Induction hobs are typically more expensive than other types however, they're also more efficient to heat and use 30-70 percent less energy than ceramic or gas hobs. They are also easier to clean, as the hob surface itself isn't hot, and only the contents of your pan do.
Certain manufacturers have an induction model that has additional features, like the pause feature that shuts off energy to your stove after you have left or connect two cooking rings at the same power for more flexibility. They are commonly called FlexInduction hobs and can be more expensive than traditional models, however they're worth a look if you prefer to multitask.