Leave a Pot on the Hob
The recipe from Nigella's cookbook often recommends that you "leave pans on the hob" however what exactly does this actually mean? Hob is the British term for a stove top or cooktop and can be gas or electric.
Dual fuel cookers come with a gas hob and an electric oven, giving you the best of both worlds. They can offer instant heat however they are more costly to operate than single fuel models.
Solid plate hobs
Solid plate hobs are a staple in many homes. Their basic design comprises flat metal plates that are heated using electricity, making them a cost-effective choice for those on a budget. Their low initial cost could lead to higher energy bills in the long run due to their inefficient use. These hobs also require a substantial amount of residual heat, meaning that they take longer to warm up and cool down than their modern counterparts.
A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic one that is more expensive to purchase but much cheaper to run. These hobs come in many different styles, including curvy and flat. They can be combined with ovens of all sizes and shapes to match any kitchen layout. They are also easy to clean and blend well into modern homes.
The next step up is the induction stove, that makes use of electromagnetic fields to heat your cookware directly. The surface of the hob remains cool, which minimizes the risk of burns. It is also safer for children to use it. Additionally, induction hobs are the fastest of all the types to warm up and cool down.
When deciding which type of hob to buy it is essential to take into consideration your cooking habits and energy needs. Solid plate hobs are cheap, but they are not efficient. Gas and ceramic hobs, on the other they are more costly but are more efficient. Induction hobs are an alternative, combining efficiency with a elegant design.
Gas hobs
The top gas stoves are easy-to-use, stylish and have a long-lasting appearance. They should also come with a good warranty and be easy to clean. They should also be compatible with a range of cookware, and provide instant heat control.
Gas hobs operate by connecting each burner to a gas supply which then ignites the fuel, causing a flame. The flame is heated by the air and the pan, allowing for accurate temperature control. Certain models have a visible flame indicator, which makes it easy to determine if the burners are turned on or off in a glance. Gas hobs also come with various sizes of burners with automatic ignition as well as a drip pan that can be removed.
Many modern gas hobs have a stainless steel or ceramic top, while some have a sleek black glass finish. You can pick between vented and open-burner hobs depending on the style of your kitchen. Hobs vented have an integrated extractor that draws smoke and steam from cooking pans and releases them outside, while open-burner gas hobs don't.
Open-burner stoves sport an elegant look, with metal knobs, grates and handles, while vented stoves are sleeker with a flat glass surface. Some models also come with an extra-wide pan support which is an advantage for larger pans and pots.
Gas hobs are still in high demand despite the rise of electric hobs, such as ceramic and induction. Gas cooking is popular with people who are familiar with gas cooking. However, a variety of government regulations are encouraging the removal of appliances that use fossil fuels in favour of energy-efficient alternatives.
Gas-powered hobs all require electrical components in order to function. Therefore, hob and oven is essential to install them by a certified electrician and carpenter who can ensure that the installation is safe and meets the industry standards. Your electrician will need to connect a power cable along with a gas line to your kitchen when you are installing a gas hob for the first time. This is usually a simple procedure that won't affect your existing piping or electrical connections.
Ceramic hobs
As well as a sleek, attractive finish ceramic hobs are easy to clean and more efficient in terms of energy consumption than gas hobs. The high-powered heating element is placed under the surface of each zone. The heat is then transmitted through the glass to the pan above. This reduces energy wastage as it only heats the pan directly and not the air around it. They are also easy to regulate, and react quickly to temperature fluctuations.
Ceramic hobs have a flat ceramic surface that is easy to clean. Splatters and spills are easily removed using a damp sponge when they cool. It is important to remember that they are not suitable for a steamy or hot kitchen, as the glass will break and turn discolored.
Most people aren't bothered by the fact that ceramic hobs generate some heat under the surface. Most models have integrated cooling fans that control the heat under the surface and prevent it from affecting kitchens and workspaces. They're also constructed with insulation and are designed to reduce heat transfer between your hob and your kitchen.
Ceramic hobs can also be more versatile than induction hobs, which need certain types of magnetically conductor cookware. Cast iron cookware should never be used on a ceramic stove because it could scratch the surface.
Many ceramic hobs are equipped with a variety of safety features, including residual heat indicators as well as locks to reduce accidents in the kitchen. Some have even 'overflow safety which detects when a cooking pot is boiling over and automatically cut the power supply to the zone to reduce the risk of damage and mess. It's equally important to make sure that the ceramic hob is properly installed and is equipped with the correct breakers and cables. It's best to leave this to a certified electrical engineer to be certain that your ceramic hob is safe and reliable.
Hobs with induction
Induction hobs, as their name suggests, have coils under the surface that generate magnetic fields. These fields produce heat within the pan or metal item placed on the hob. They consume less energy than other types of hobs because they are cold until you are surrounded by a pan. They also heat more efficiently since the heat source is through the bottom of the pan, and not from the whole surface of the cooktop.
Like gas hobs, induction models come with a control panel where you can choose your settings and see how much power you're using. They are only compatible using cookware that's compatible with the electromagnetic heating mechanism. This means that the cookware must be made of ferrous metal or cast iron. Certain stainless steel and non-stick pans can also be used. However, you must always read the label to make sure that the cookware you use is compatible with induction.
Induction hobs are an extremely popular choice for shared student halls or penthouses for student accommodation from iQ. They feature sleek LCD displays, and their modern aesthetics fit seamlessly into contemporary kitchens. Induction hobs are more secure than traditional gas stoves because they only heat when a pan is placed over them and turn off automatically after the pan is removed.
Induction hobs can operate in the same way as an iPhone using the swipe gesture on the slider that controls your preferred temperature. There are typically up and down arrows on the control panel that allow you to adjust the power level, or a dial for precise temperature control.
Some models have the dual flex-zone feature which lets you join two zones to create a larger space to cook larger saucepans. Others have automatic switch-off, residual heat indicators, and a timer that will inform you when your food is ready. Induction hobs all emit low-level magnetic fields with frequencies in kilohertz. These can affect medical equipment like pacemakers.