Leave a Pot on the Hob

Nigella's recipe often suggests that you "leave a pan on the stove" however what exactly is the actual meaning of this? Hob is the British word used to describe a cooktop or stove top and can be gas or electric.

Dual fuel cookers have both a gas hob and an electric oven, giving you the best of both worlds. They can be instantaneous in heating but are more expensive to run than single fuel models.

Hobs made of solid plates

Solid plate hobs have been a stalwart of many homes for decades. They are a simple choice for those who want to save money. Their design is made of flat metal plates that are heated with electricity. However, their initial cost could lead to higher electricity bills over time due to their inefficient energy usage. These stoves require a great deal of residual heat and take longer to cool down or heat down.

A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic, which is more expensive to purchase, but much cheaper to run. Hobs are available in different styles including flat and curvy. They can be combined with ovens of various sizes and shapes to fit any kitchen layout. Furthermore, they're easy to clean and integrate well into most modern homes.

Induction hobs are the next step, since they utilize electromagnetic fields to heat cookware directly. This means that the hob surface stays cool, reducing the danger of burns from accidental sources and making it safer for small children to touch. Induction hobs also heat up and cool off the fastest.

When choosing which hob to buy it is important to think about your preferences for cooking and your energy requirements. Solid plate hobs can be cheap, but they are not efficient. Ceramic and gas hobs, on the contrary on the other hand, are more expensive but are more efficient. Induction hobs are a good compromise, as they combine effectiveness with a stylish appearance.

Gas hobs

The best gas stoves are simple to use, stylish and have an attractive appearance. They should also have a long-lasting warranty and be easy to clean. In addition, they should be compatible with a large range of cookware and offer instant heat control.

Gas hobs work by connecting each burner to a gas supply, which then ignites the fuel and produces the flame. The flame warms both the pan and the air which allows for precise temperature control. Some models come with a visual flame indication, making it easy to see when the burners are on or off at a glance. Gas hobs also have various sizes of burners with automatic ignition as well as a drip pan that can be removed.

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

Open-burner hobs sport a classic design with metal knobs and grates and vented hobs are more contemporary with flat, glass surfaces. Some models also come with an extra-wide pan support which is a boon for larger pans and pots.

Gas hobs are still popular despite the increasing popularity of electric hobs like ceramic and induction. This is largely due to the preferences of consumers and the familiarity of gas cooking. A number of government regulations encourage the elimination of appliances that use fossil fuels and the use of energy-efficient alternatives.

Gas-powered hobs all require electrical components in order to function. It is therefore important to install them by a qualified electrician and carpenter who will make sure that the installation is secure and meets industry standards. If you are installing a gas-powered hob your electrician will have to route the power cable and gas pipe into your kitchen. This is typically a straightforward procedure that won't affect the existing piping or electrical connections.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs have a 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 to the pan that is above. This helps reduce energy waste since it only direct heats the pan, 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 hob is easy to wipe down spills and splatters are easily cleaned off with a damp cloth once they cool. It's important to remember that they're not suitable for the kitchen that is hot or steamy environment as the glass can crack and discolour in the event that it becomes too hot.

The majority of people aren't concerned about the fact that ceramic hobs create some amount of heat below the surface. In fact, most models come with cooling fans integrated to help regulate this heat and keep it from impacting your kitchen or workspace. They're also insulated and designed to minimise heat transfer between your hob and your kitchen.

Another advantage of ceramic hobs is that they are compatible with all types of cookware, compared to induction hobs which require a certain type of magnetically conductor pan. Cast iron cookware shouldn't be placed on a ceramic stove because it could scratch the surface.

A lot of ceramic hobs come with safety features, such as residual heat indicators as well as a lockout function to prevent accidents from happening within the home. Some have even 'overflow safety', which can detect when a cooking pot is boiling and then automatically cut the power supply to the zone to minimise the risk of damage and create a mess. It's just as important to make sure that a ceramic hob is installed correctly and is equipped with the correct cables and breakers. This is a task best left to a professional electrician and you can be confident that your hob will be safe and reliable to use.

Induction hobs

Induction hobs, as the name implies, have coils underneath the surface that generate magnetic fields. These fields produce heat within the pan or metal item placed on the hob. They require less power than other kinds of electric hobs since they are cold until a pan is placed put on them. They are more efficient in heating up a pan because the heat produced is sourced from the bottom of the pan, rather than the entire cooktop.

Induction models are like gas hobs in that they come with a control panel on which you can select your settings and track how much power is being used. However, unlike traditional gas hobs they can only be used with cookware that is compatible with their heating mechanism using electromagnetic energy, which means it must have an even, flat, thick base made of ferrous metal (iron) or cast iron. Certain stainless steel and non-stick pans will also work. However, you must always read the label to confirm that the cookware you use is compatible with induction.

A popular choice for shared student halls and penthouses of iQ Student Accommodation Induction hobs feature sleek LCD displays and modern design that seamlessly website integrate into modern kitchens. Induction hobs are more secure than gas stoves with traditional designs because they only heat when the pan is placed on top of them and turn off automatically once the pan is removed.

Induction hobs can be controlled in a similar way to an iPhone by tapping the touch slider setting your preferred temperature. There are typically up and down arrows on the control panel, which allow you to adjust the power level, or use a dial to precisely control the temperature.

Some models come with the dual flex-zone feature which lets you join two zones to create a larger surface to cook larger saucepans. Certain models come with an automatic switch-off and a residual heat indication. Others also have a timer that will alert you when food is ready. Induction hobs all emit an extremely low-level magnetic field at frequencies in the kilohertz band which can cause problems for certain medical devices, like pacemakers, so it's important to keep them out of your body when not being used.