Leave a Pot on the Hob
The recipe of Nigella often recommends that you "leave a pan on the stove" however what exactly does that actually mean? A stovetop, also known as a hob or cooktop in British English, can be gas or electric.
Dual fuel cookers include a gas hob and an electric oven, giving you the best of both worlds. They offer instant heat but can be more expensive to operate than single fuel models.
Hobs made of solid plate
Solid plate hobs have been an integral part of many homes for decades. They are a great choice for those looking to save money. Their design is flat metal plates that heat up by using electricity. Their low initial cost could result in higher energy costs in the future due to their inefficient use. These hobs require a lot of residual heat and take longer to warm up or cool down.
A popular alternative to solid plate hobs is the ceramic one which is more expensive to purchase, but much cheaper to operate. Hobs made of ceramic come in different styles, including curvy and flat. They can be paired with ovens of various sizes and shapes to fit any kitchen layout. They are also easy to clean and blend with modern homes.
Induction hobs are the next step since they utilize electromagnetic fields to heat cookware directly. This means that the surface stays cool, reducing the risk of burns that happen accidentally and making it safer for small kids to be around. Induction hobs also get hot and cool off the fastest.
When you are deciding on which hob to purchase, it's important to consider your cooking habits and energy needs. Solid plate hobs are affordable, but they're not efficient. Gas and ceramic hobs, on the contrary they are more costly but are more efficient. Induction hobs are a middle ground and combine efficiency with a elegant design.
Gas hobs
The most efficient gas hobs are simple to use, have a neat and stylish appearance and are made of sturdy materials. They should come with a solid guarantee and be easy-to-clean. Additionally, they must be compatible with a large selection of cookware, and provide instant heat control.
A gas hob operates by connecting the gas supply to each burner, which then ignites the fuel to produce the flame. The flame is able to heat the pan and the air, allowing for precise temperature control. Some models come with a visual flame indicator, which makes it easy to see when the burners are turned on or off at glance. Gas hobs also have multiple burners in various sizes as well as automatic ignition and a drip pan that can be removed.
Modern gas hobs come with either a stainless steel or ceramic top. Some even come with sleek black finishes. There are open-burner and vented hobs according to the style of your kitchen. Hobs with vented vents come with an extractor that takes smoke and steam from cooking pans, and then releases them to the outside, while open-burner gas hobs don't.
Open-burner hobs are classic in their appearance with a knobs and grates made of metal, while vented hobs are more modern with a glass-like surface that is flat. Some models even feature pan supports that are wider, which is an advantage for larger pans and pots.
Gas hobs remain popular despite the popularity of electric hobs like ceramic and induction. This is due in part to consumer preferences and familiarity with gas cooking. Many government regulations encourage the phase-out of appliances that are based on fossil fuels and the use of energy-efficient alternatives.
All gas-powered hobs require electrical components in order to function, therefore it is essential to have your gas hob installed by a qualified electrician and carpenter who will ensure all installations are safe and meet industry standards. If you're installing a gas stove, your electrician will need to route an electrical power cable and a gas pipe into your kitchen. In most cases, this is straightforward and doesn't affect the plumbing or electrical connections.
Ceramic hobs
As well as an attractive, sleek finish ceramic hobs are easy to clean and more energy efficient than gas. The high-powered heating element is situated beneath the surface of every zone. The best oven heat is then transferred through the glass to the pan above. This reduces energy waste as it only requires the power required to heat the pan directly, not the air around it. They are also simple to control and can quickly react to temperature changes.
The flat surface of a ceramic stove is easy to clean spills and splatters can be wiped off with a clean cloth as they cool. Be aware that they're not suitable for a humid or hot kitchen because the glass may break and turn discolored.
Some people might be frightened by the fact that ceramic cooktops generate some heat underneath the surface however this isn't a problem to most. Most models are equipped with cooling fans that manage the heat below the surface and prevent it from affecting workspaces or kitchens. They're also made of acoustic insulation to limit heat transfer between your hob and your kitchen.
Ceramic hobs can also be more versatile than induction hobs that require certain kinds of magnetically conductive cookware. Cast iron cookware shouldn't be used on a ceramic stove, as it can scratch the surface.
Many ceramic hobs come fitted with a range of safety features including residual heat indicators and locks to reduce accidents in the kitchen. Some models even come with 'overflow protection', which can detect when a cooking pot is boiling and then automatically cut off the power to the zone to minimize the risk of damage and create a mess. It's just as important to make sure that the ceramic hob is installed correctly and is equipped with the correct cables and breakers. This is something that should be left to a qualified electrician, so you can be certain that your cooker is safe and reliable to use.
Induction hobs
As their name suggests, induction hobs feature coils underneath the surface that produce magnetic fields that generate heat in the pan or in any metal object placed on it. They use less energy than other types of hobs, because they are cold until you are surrounded by a pan. They also heat up faster because heat is generated through the bottom of the pan, and not from the whole surface of the cooktop.
Induction models are like gas hobs in that they have a control panel, where you can set your preferences and monitor how much power is being used. They only work with cookware compatible with the electromagnetic heating mechanism. This means that it has to be made of cast iron or ferrous metal. Stainless steel and some non-stick pans also work, but make sure you check the label or run a magnet across the base to make sure your cookware is induction compatible.
A popular choice in shared student halls as well as penthouses in iQ Student Accommodation Induction hobs feature sleek LCD displays and modern aesthetics that seamlessly integrate into modern kitchens. Induction hobs are safer than gas stoves with traditional designs because they only heat when the pan is placed on top of them. They shut off automatically when the pan is removed.
Induction hobs can operate in the same manner as an iPhone, with tapping the slider to set your preferred temperature. There are also up and down buttons on the control panel to change the power level or a dial that is tapped for precise temperature control.
Some models come with dual flex-zones which lets you join two zones to create a larger area to cook larger saucepans. Some models have an automatic shut-off as well as an indicator of residual heat. Others also have a timer that will alert you when food is ready. Induction hobs emit low-level magnetic fields with frequencies in kilohertz. These can affect medical equipment like pacemakers.