Leave a Pot on the Hob The recipe from Nigella's cookbook often recommends that you leave pans on the stove however what exactly does this actually mean? A hob, also known as stovetop or cooktop in British English, can be either gas or electric. Dual fuel cookers come with 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 operate than single fuel models. Hobs made of solid plates Solid plate hobs are an essential in many homes. They are a simple choice for those looking to save money. Their design is flat metal plates that are heated by using electricity. Their low cost at first can lead to higher energy bills over time because of their inefficient use. These hobs also require a large amount of heat that is left over which means they take longer to cool down and warm down than modern models. A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic one that is more expensive to purchase but much cheaper to run. Hobs of this type are available in a range of different styles, including curving and flat, and can be combined with a range of ovens to fit any kitchen layout. Additionally, they are easy to clean and integrate well into the majority of modern homes. The next step up is the induction hob which uses electromagnetic fields to warm your cookware directly. This means that the hob surface itself remains cool, reducing the danger of accidental burns and making it safer for young kids to be around. In addition induction hobs are among the fastest of all kinds to warm up and cool down. It is essential to take into account your cooking habits and your energy needs when you decide on the type of hob you'll need. Solid plate hobs are cheap to buy, but are not efficient as gas and ceramic hobs are more costly but more efficient. Induction hobs are a middle ground and combine efficiency with a fashionable design. Gas hobs The top gas hobs are simple to use, have a sleek and stylish appearance and are made of sturdy materials. 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 function by connecting each burner to a gas supply which then ignites the fuel and produces the flame. The flame heats the pan as well as the air to allow for precise 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 multiple burners in various sizes, automatic ignition, and a removable drip pan. Modern gas hobs come with a ceramic or stainless steel top. Some even have a sleek black finish. Depending on the style of kitchen it is also an option of selecting vented or open-burner gas stoves. Vented hobs have a built-in extractor that draws steam and smoke from cooking pans, and then releases the heat outside, whereas open-burner gas hobs do not. Open-burner hobs have a classic design with metal grates and knobs and vented hobs are more modern and have a glass-like surface that is flat. Some models even feature pan supports that are wider, which is great for larger pots and pans. Despite the widespread use of electric hobs such as ceramic and induction however, there is an enormous user base for gas hobs. This is due in part to consumer preferences and the familiarity of gas cooking. However, a number of government regulations are encouraging the removal of appliances powered by fossil fuels in favour of energy-efficient alternatives. All gas-powered hobs require electrical components in order to operate, which is why it is important to have your gas cooker installed by a qualified electrician and carpenter who will make sure that the installation is secure and conform to the standards of the industry. If you are installing a gas hob, your electrician will need to run a power cable and a gas pipe into your kitchen. In the majority of instances, this is a simple task and won't alter your plumbing or electrical connections. Ceramic hobs Ceramic hobs are sleek and attractive finish, are easy to maintain and more efficient than gas. The high-powered heating element is situated under the surface of each zone. They then transfer 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 around it. They're also simple to regulate and react quickly to temperature changes. The flat surface of a ceramic cooker is easy to clean spills and splatters can be cleaned off with a damp cloth once they cool. hobs and ovens to note that they're not suited to an extremely hot or steamy kitchen in hot or humid conditions, as the glass could break and discolor when it gets too hot. Some people might be a bit sceptical about the fact that ceramic hobs produce a certain amount of heat under the surface however, this isn't a problem for most. Most models have integrated cooling fans that manage the heat below the surface and stop it from affecting kitchens and workspaces. They also have insulation to limit heat transfer from the hob to your kitchen. Another advantage of ceramic hobs is that they can be used with all kinds of cookware, in contrast to induction hobs which require a certain type of magnetically conductor pan. However, it is recommended to avoid using any cookware made from cast iron on a ceramic stove, since it can scratch the surface. Many ceramic hobs come fitted with a range of safety features including residual heat indicators and lockout functions to help minimise accidents in the kitchen. Some even have 'overflow protection which detects when a cooking pot is boiling and will automatically cut the power source to the area to reduce the risk of the damage and mess. Similar to electric cookers in general, it's important to ensure a ceramic hob is correctly installed and fitted with the correct breakers and cables to ensure complete safety. It is best to leave this to a trained electrical engineer to be certain that your ceramic hob is safe and reliable. Hobs with induction As their name suggests induction hobs have coils under the surface that generate magnetic fields that create heat within the pan or metal object placed on it. They consume less power than other kinds of electric hobs since they are cool until a pan is placed put on them. They are more efficient at heating up a pan because the heat generated is generated from the bottom of the pan rather than the entire cooktop surface. Induction models are similar to gas hobs because they feature a control panel on which you can select your settings and monitor the amount of power being utilized. They can only be used with cookware compatible with the electromagnetic heating mechanism. This means that the cookware must be made of ferrous or cast iron. Stainless steel and some non-stick pans also work, but always check the label or use a magnet on the base to confirm that your cookware is induction compatible. A popular choice for shared student halls and penthouses of iQ Student Accommodation Induction hobs feature sleek LCD displays and modern aesthetics that blend seamlessly into modern kitchens. Induction hobs are more secure than traditional gas stoves because they only heat when the pan is placed on top of them and turn off automatically after the pan is removed. Induction hobs can operate in a similar way to an iPhone by the swipe gesture on the touch slider setting your preferred temperature. There are also buttons to move up and down on the control panel to adjust the power level, or a dial that can be tapped for precise temperature control. Certain models come with dual flex-zones which lets you join two zones to create a larger area to cook larger pans. Certain models come with an automatic switch-off and an indicator of residual heat. Others also have a timer that can notify you when food is ready. Induction hobs emit an extremely low-level magnetic field at frequencies within the kilohertz spectrum which can cause problems for certain medical equipment such as pacemakers, and it is important to keep them from your body when they are not in use.
hobs and ovens
