The Next Big Thing In Oven
Leave a Pot on the Hob
Nigella's recipes often suggest you 'leave the pot on the hob however what does this mean? A hob, also known as stovetop or cooktop in British English, can be either gas or electric.
Dual fuel cookers come with gas hobs as well as an electric oven that gives you the best of both worlds. They are quick to heat, but are more expensive to operate than single fuel models.
Hobs made of solid plate
Solid plate hobs have been a stalwart of many homes for decades. hobs and ovens consists of flat metal plates that are heated by using electricity, making them an affordable option for those on a budget. However, their initial cost can cause higher electricity costs over time because of their inefficient energy 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 is much less expensive to run. Hobs of this type are available in a range of styles, such as curving and flat and are able to be paired with ovens that can be adapted to any kitchen layout. They are also easy to clean and blend seamlessly with modern homes.
The next step is the induction hob, which uses electromagnetic fields to warm your cookware directly. This means that the surface remains cool, reducing the chance of burns from accidental sources and making it safer for young children to touch. In addition induction hobs are the fastest of all kinds to heat up and cool down.
It is important to consider the way you cook and your energy requirements when deciding on the kind of hob you should purchase. Solid plate hobs are affordable to purchase, but they're not efficient, while ceramic and gas hobs are more expensive but more efficient. Induction hobs offer an alternative and combine efficiency with a elegant design.
Gas hobs
The most efficient gas stoves are easy-to-use and stylish, as well as having a durable appearance. They should have a good warranty and be easy to clean. They should also be compatible with a range of cookware, and provide instant heat control.
A gas hob functions by connecting a gas supply to each burner, which then ignites the fuel to produce a flame. The flame warms both the pan and the air and allows for precise temperature control. Some models feature a visual flame indicator that makes it easy to know when the burners are on or off. Other features available on gas hobs include numerous burners in a variety of sizes, automatic ignition and a removable drip tray.
Many modern gas hobs have a stainless steel or ceramic top, and some even have sleek black glass finishes. Depending on the style of kitchen there is also the option to choose vented or open-burner gas cooktops. Hobs vented have an integrated extractor that draws steam and smoke from cooking pans, and then releases the heat outside, whereas open-burner gas stoves don't.
Open-burner hobs are classic in their cooker look with metal knobs and grates and vented hobs are more contemporary with a flat, glass surface. Some models also come with an extra-wide pan support, which is great for larger pots and pans.
Gas hobs remain popular despite the popularity of electric hobs like induction and ceramic. Gas cooking is popular with people who are familiar with gas cooking. A number of government regulations encourage the phase-out of fossil fuel-based appliances and the use of energy-efficient alternatives.
All gas-powered hobs require electrical components in order to work, so it is important to have your gas hob installed by a certified electrician and carpenter who can ensure that all installations are secure and conform to industry standards. The electrician you choose to work with will run a power line and a gas line to your kitchen when you are installing a gas hob for the first time. This is typically a straightforward procedure that doesn't alter the existing piping or electrical connections.
Ceramic hobs
In addition to a sleek, attractive finish ceramic hobs are easy to clean and are more efficient in terms of energy consumption than gas hobs. The high-powered heating element is situated under the surface of each zone. These then transmit the heat from the glass to the pan above. This reduces energy wastage as it only directly heats the pan and not the air around it. They are also easy to control and respond quickly to temperature fluctuations.
Ceramic hobs have a flat ceramic surface that is easy to clean. Spills and splatters can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth once they cool. It is important to remember that they're not suitable for a hot or hot kitchen as the glass may crack and discolour.
Many people don't care about the fact that ceramic hobs generate some heat under the surface. In fact, most models come with cooling fans that are integrated to help regulate this heat and stop it from affecting your workspace or kitchen. They also have insulation to limit heat transfer from your hob to your kitchen.
Another benefit of ceramic hobs is that they can be used with most types of cookware, unlike induction hobs, which require a specific magnetically conductive pan. However, it is 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 range of safety features, including residual heat indicators as well as lockout functions to help minimise accidents in the kitchen. Certain ceramic hobs come with the feature of 'overflow prevention' that detects when a pot boils over and automatically reduces the power to the zone it is located to minimize the damage. Similar to electric cookers generally it is essential to ensure that the ceramic hob is installed and configured with the right breakers and cables for complete safety. This is something that's best left to a qualified electrician, so you can be sure that your kitchen appliance is safe and reliable to use.
Hobs with induction
Induction hobs, as their name suggests have coils beneath the surface which produce magnetic fields. These fields generate heat within the pan or in the metal object placed on the hob. They consume less energy than other types of hobs since they are cold until they have a pan on them. They also heat more efficiently since the heat source is from the bottom of a pan, not from the entire cooktop surface.
Like gas hobs, induction models have a control panel where you can choose your settings and check the power you're using. They only work with cookware that is compatible with the electromagnetic heating mechanism. This means that it must be made of ferrous metal or cast iron. Stainless steel and some non-stick pans also work, but make sure you check the label or use a magnet on the base to confirm that your cookware is compatible with induction.
Induction hobs are a favorite choice for shared student halls or iQ Student accommodation penthouses. 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 get hot when the pan is placed on them. They shut off automatically after the pan has been removed.
Induction hobs operate like an iPhone. A swipe on the slider will set your preferred heat level. There are also usually up and down arrows on the control panel that allow you to adjust the power level, or use a dial to precisely control the temperature.
In addition to nine power levels, some models also have dual flex zones that allows you to join two zones to create a larger cooking space for larger saucepans. Some models have automatic shut-off and a residual heat indicator and a timer to alert you when food is ready. Induction hobs all emit low-level magnetic fields that are emitted in kilohertz, which could affect medical equipment, such as pacemakers.