What is a Hob?
Hob is a regulated exocytosis protein. It has also been found to regulate the production of insulin in Drosophila. It is a part of the secretory system and is essential for professional secretory cells to function.
In the British kitchen, a hob is the equivalent of a cooktop or stove top. Nigella often suggests that you place the pot on the stove. The word"hob" has a similar meaning in North America.
Induction hobs
Induction hobs use magnetism instead of direct heat to warm pans and pots. The cooktop's surface is coils through which an alternating electric current is run. When a ferrromagnetic pot or pan is placed over the cooktop this creates a magnetic field which produces electricity. This also means that the cooktop stays cool to the touch, saving energy when compared to electric and gas models.
Induction hobs offer another benefit: they are safer than gas hobs that are traditional. There is no open flame that can burn your hands or cookware. They are perfect for student rooms and iQ Student Accommodation flats, where safety is important. The smooth glass-ceramic finish of this kind of hob will not get hot, and can be easily cleaned by rubbing it with a damp cloth.
The downside to induction is that you do require pans that work. You will need pans that are made of a thick, flat base made of ferrous metals such as cast iron and steel. To determine if these pans are induction-compatible, apply a magnet to the base. If the magnet is stuck to the pan, it's appropriate for your induction cooker.
Other popular choices include ceramic hobs, which come with a an elegant appearance and are available in a range of colours. They are easy to heat up, however they do tend to utilise more energy than induction hobs because they heat the entire glass-ceramic surface. The smooth surface of the cooktop can be cleaned with a soft cloth. The majority of them have lids that are dishwasher safe.
If you're looking for the best of both worlds go for a top induction cooker like this one from Hotpoint, which has a full TFT screen to display your position of cookware and a control menu that'll let you change the settings for the power. It comes with four automatic cooking modes to choose from (boil melt, boil and slow cook) as well as an increase function to get faster results. It comes with locks that can be locked to stop accidental button-pushing and comes with an indicator for residual heat and auto switch-off if you forget your hob.
oven hob hobs
Gas hobs use propane or natural gas to heat their burners and oven. This permits for faster cooking time and better temperature control. This makes it ideal for frying, boiling and sauteing, as well as other cooking techniques. While it may not be as efficient as an electric hob, a gas-powered one is generally cheaper to operate than an electric one.
As a bonus the gas hob's heat source is not dependent on electricity, so it's still functional in the event of power interruptions, though at a lower speed. The heat from the burners is also restricted to the pans that they are in contact with, which reduces the risk of fire. It's still important to keep all flammable substances away from the stove and follow safe cooking practices to avoid accidental fires.
Modern gas hobs are a combination of traditional burners and electrical components that regulate the flame's output, ignition and safety features. Most models utilize an electric ignition system that emits an electric spark or a pilot flame to ignite the burner. The control knobs allow you to alter the intensity of the flame as well as the output of heat. Many have built-in timers, which allows you to set a precise cooking duration.
Gas hobs are generally cheaper to buy upfront than induction models, but the cost of operating them will be based on the gas prices in your area. Some gas hobs work with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which is often less expensive than natural gas.
Gas hobs require more care than electric ones. Gas hobs tend to collect oily spills on the burner's grates. Also, you'll need to clean the flat, rimless cooking surface frequently to avoid food residue accumulating. Fortunately, some brands, like FUJIOH has made maintenance easier by using stainless steel or porcelain-coated cast iron grates that can be removed for cleaning. Their flat, rimless design avoids the need for awkwardly-placed pot holders and utensils which can gather debris.
Electric hobs
Using electric coils to generate heat under the cooking zone, electric hobs are quick to heat and easy to clean after use. Many models also come with residual heat indicators to let you know which zones have been used recently, and are too hot to touch or clean. This can help prevent accidents and is particularly useful in households with children. Certain models also have overflow protection, which recognizes when the pan is boiling and switches off the stove to stop spillage.
Induction hobs are stylish and sleek. They work by transferring a current of electricity through copper coils to create a magnetic field that warms the bottoms of the cookware that is compatible with induction. This makes them faster to boil than gas hobs, and they offer precise temperature control with a cool-to touch surface and energy efficiency.
However, these kinds of cooktops can be more expensive than gas models and need to be installed by a professional. A lot of them come with a flat glass cooktops that have a modern design and come with a variety of features, such as child locks and timers, auto shut off and built-in food sensors.
A favorite choice among consumers electric ceramic hobs give the best of both by offering a smooth and easy-to-clean surface, which is resistant to burns, scratches and stains. These models are also available in a wide variety of colours to complement your kitchen design and many are pre-installed with panels and trims to create seamless appearance.
These models, as well as induction hobs, require regular maintenance. The burner caps and grates must be removed and cleaned in warm water prior to reassembling. They also are susceptible to staining due to spills of liquid and are slower than other hob types to heat up, although they have a high energy efficiency.
The best hobs
Hobs are an essential kitchen component that can transform any food preparation into a complete symphony. Whether you are curating your cooking arsenal from scratch or just looking for an upgrade, we offer a range of hob types to suit your needs and budget.
The most stylish hobs are sleek and durable, as well as easy to clean. They offer a variety of features that let you to cook with ease. The most popular options include ceramic, induction and gas.
Ceramic hobs are energy-efficient and easy to clean because they employ electric heating elements that are placed on a glass surface. They heat quickly and control the temperature precisely, making them perfect for all types of cookware. Some models have residual heat indicators to warn you if the glass surface is still warm.
Induction hobs create magnetic fields that allow heat to be generated where it is required. They are quicker to warm up than traditional gas or sealed plate hobs and offer excellent efficiency, and no waste of heat that is not needed by the other parts of the hob.
Gas hobs are the more traditional option and are preferred by professional chefs. They are fast to heat up and offer instant heat control. This makes them ideal for cooking with a variety of techniques. They are also economical and can be used in all pans. However, they are more difficult to clean as the grates and burners have nooks and crannies where dirt could hide.
Solid plate hobs are durable and durable, providing the best heat distribution for use in everyday life. They tend to be less expensive than gas or induction hobs, and are ideal when you have limited space. Some of them can be converted for use with bottled LPG and are suitable for all kinds of pans. However, they will take a bit longer to warm up and cool down, and they aren't recommended for simmering. Many of the modern hobs we have available have child locks and a range of enhanced safety features to provide extra security.