Leave a Pot on the Hob In her recipes, you are often advised to 'leave the pot on the hob' but what does this mean? A hob is the British term for cooktop or stove top and can be electric or gas. Dual fuel cookers have both gas hobs as well as an electric oven that gives you the best of both worlds. They offer instant heat but can be more expensive to run than single fuel models. Hobs made of solid plates Solid plate hobs have been an integral part of many homes for years. Their basic design is made up of flat metal plates that heat using electricity, which makes them a cost-effective choice for those on a tight budget. Their low cost at first can result in higher energy costs in the future due to their inefficient use. These hobs also require a significant amount of heat that is left over, meaning that they take longer to heat up and cool down than modern hobs. A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic one which is more expensive to purchase, but far less expensive to run. hobs and ovens come in many different styles including curvy and flat. They can be combined with ovens of various sizes and shapes to match any kitchen layout. They are easy to clean and blend into modern homes. The next step up is the induction hob which makes use of electromagnetic fields to warm your cookware directly. The surface of the hob stays cool, which decreases the chance of burning. It is also safer for children to touch. Additionally induction hobs are among the fastest of all the types to heat up and cool down. It is essential to take into account your cooking habits as well as your energy requirements when deciding on the type of hob you should purchase. Solid plate hobs are affordable to buy, but are not efficient as gas and ceramic hobs are more costly but more efficient. Induction hobs are a good compromise, as they combine effectiveness with a stylish appearance. 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 guarantee and be easy-to-clean. They should also be compatible with a variety of cookware, and offer instant heat control. Gas hobs operate by connecting each burner to a gas supply which then ignites the fuel and produces a flame. The flame is able to heat the pan as well as the air to enable precise temperature control. Some models have a visual flame indicator, making it easy to tell when the burners are off or on. Other features that are available on gas hobs include numerous burners in different sizes, an automatic ignition and drip tray that can be removed. Modern gas hobs often have a stainless steel or ceramic top, and some even have a sleek black finish. You can pick between open-burner and vented hobs in accordance with the style of your kitchen. Open-burner gas stoves do not include an extractor, which takes the steam and smoke from the cooking pans. Open-burner stoves sport a classic look with metal knobs, grates, and handles, whereas vented stoves are sleeker with a flat glass surface. Some models come with an extra-wide pan support, which is great for larger pots and pans. Despite the increasing popularity of electric hobs, such as ceramic and induction hobs however, there is a large user base for gas hobs. Gas cooking is a favorite among consumers, and they are familiar with it. However, a variety of government regulations are encouraging the phase out of appliances that use fossil fuels to make way for more energy-efficient alternatives. Gas-powered hobs all require electrical components to function. It is therefore essential to install them by a certified electrician and carpenter who will make sure that the installation is secure and complies with industry standards. If you are installing a gas-powered hob the electrician you choose to work with will need to connect an electrical power cable and a gas pipe into your kitchen. In the majority of instances, this is simple and won't alter the plumbing or electrical connections. Ceramic hobs Ceramic hobs have a elegant and attractive appearance, are easy to maintain, and are more efficient than gas. The high-powered heating element is situated on the floor of each zone. These then transmit the heat from the glass to the pan that is above. This helps reduce energy waste since it only direct heats the pan, and not the air surrounding it. They are also easy to control and can quickly react to temperature fluctuations. Ceramic hobs feature a flat ceramic surface that is easy to clean. Splatters and spills are easily removed using a damp cloth once they cool. Be aware that they're not suitable for a steamy or hot kitchen, as the glass can crack and discolour. Some people might be put off by the fact that ceramic hobs produce some heat underneath the surface however this isn't an issue for the majority of. In fact, most models are equipped with cooling fans integrated to manage this under-surface heat and prevent it from affecting your workspace or kitchen. They also have insulation to reduce heat transfer from the hob to your kitchen. Another benefit of ceramic hobs is that they are compatible with all kinds of cookware, in contrast to induction hobs that require a certain type of magnetically conductor pan. However, it's recommended to avoid using any cookware made of cast iron on a ceramic hob, since it can scratch the surface. A lot of ceramic hobs come with safety features like residual heat indicators and lockout function to prevent accidents from happening in the home. Some ceramic hobs have a feature called 'overflow prevention which detects when a pot is boiling over and automatically reduces the power to the zone it is located to minimize damage. As with electric cookers, it's important to ensure the ceramic hob is installed and fitted with the appropriate breakers and cables to ensure complete security. It's best to leave this to a qualified electrical engineer so that you can be sure that your ceramic cooker is safe and reliable. Hobs with induction As their name suggests they contain coils beneath the surface that generate magnetic fields that produce heat within the pan or in any metal object placed on it. They consume less power than other types of electric hobs due to the fact that they remain cool until a pan is placed put on them. They are more efficient at heating a pan as the heat produced is sourced from the bottom of the pan, rather than the whole cooktop surface. Like gas hobs, induction models come with a control panel that you can set your preferences and check the power you're using. However unlike a traditional gas hob they can only be used using cookware that's compatible with their electromagnetic heating mechanism which means that it has to have a flat, even thick base made from ferrous metal (iron) or cast iron. Some non-stick and stainless steel pans will also work. However, you must always read the label to ensure that your cookware is compatible with induction. Induction hobs are a popular choice for shared student halls or penthouses in iQ Student accommodation. They feature sleek LCD displays, and their modern design is a perfect fit for modern kitchens. They are safer than gas hobs that are traditional because they only start heating when a pan is placed on them, and they stop automatically when the pan is removed. Induction hobs can be controlled like the controls on an iPhone. A swipe gesture on the slider will set your preferred heat level. There are typically up and down arrows on the control panel, which allow you to alter the power level, or a dial to control the temperature precisely. Some models come with dual flex-zones that allows you to join two zones to create a larger surface to cook larger pans. Others have automatic switch-off, residual heat indicators, and a timer to inform you when your food is ready. All induction hobs emit an extremely low-level magnetic field at frequencies within the kilohertz range that can affect certain medical devices like pacemakers, and it is important to keep them away from your body when they are not in use.
hobs and ovens
