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Leave a Pot on the Hob The recipe of Nigella often suggests that you “leave pans on the stove”, but what does this actually mean? A hob, also known as stovetop or cooktop in British English, can be either electric or gas. Dual fuel cookers include a gas hob and an electric oven, giving you the best of both worlds. They can be instantaneous in heating, but they are more expensive to operate than single fuel models. Hobs made of solid plate Solid plate hobs have been a staple of many homes for decades. Their basic design comprises flat metal plates that heat by using electricity, making them an economical choice for those who are on a tight budget. However, their low initial cost can lead to higher electricity bills in the future because of their inefficient energy usage. Best ovens UK require a great deal of heat that remains and take longer to cool down or heat down. The ceramic hob is a popular alternative to solid-plate hobs. It is more expensive initially, but is much cheaper in the long in the long. Hobs made of ceramic come in different styles, including flat and curvy. They can be used with ovens of all shapes and sizes to suit any kitchen layout. Moreover, they're easy to clean and fit well into most modern homes. The next step up is the induction hob which makes use of electromagnetic fields to heat your cookware directly. The surface of the hob stays cool, which minimizes the chance of burning. It is also safer for children to use it. Hobs that are induction also get hot and cool off the fastest. When choosing which hob to buy it is important to think about your cooking habits and energy requirements. Solid plate hobs are affordable to buy, but are not efficient as gas and ceramic hobs are more expensive but more efficient. Induction hobs are a great compromise, as they combine the efficiency of a gas hob with a fashionable look. Gas hobs The best gas stoves are simple to use and stylish, as well as having an attractive appearance. They should have a good guarantee and be easy-to-clean. Additionally, they must be compatible with a broad selection of cookware, and provide instant heat control. A gas hob operates by connecting an electric supply to each burner, which then burns the fuel to create an ignition. The flame heats the pan as well as the air, allowing for precise temperature control. Some models have a visual flame indicator, making it easy to tell when the burners are on or off. Other features that are available on gas hobs include various burners available in different sizes, an automatic ignition system and a removable drip tray. Modern gas hobs are available with either a stainless steel or ceramic top. Some have sleek black finishes. There are vented and open-burner hobs, depending on the design of your kitchen. Hobs vented have an integrated extractor that draws smoke and steam from cooking pans, and then releases them outside, while open-burner gas hobs do not. Open-burner stoves sport an elegant look, with metal grates, knobs and handles, while vented stoves are sleeker with a glass-like surface. Some models even feature pan supports that are wider, which is great for larger pots and pans. Gas hobs are still popular despite the increasing popularity of electric hobs such as ceramic and induction. This is largely due to consumer preferences and familiarity with gas cooking. However, a number of government regulations are encouraging the elimination of fossil fuel-based appliances in favour of energy-efficient alternatives. Gas-powered hobs are all electrical components to function. It is therefore essential to install them by a licensed electrician and carpenter who will ensure that the installation is safe and meets the industry standards. If you're installing a gas stove, your electrician will need to connect the power cable and gas pipe into your kitchen. This is typically a straightforward procedure that won't affect the existing piping or electrical connections. Ceramic hobs As well as an attractive, sleek finish ceramic hobs are easy to clean and are more efficient in energy use than gas hobs. The heating element that is high-powered is situated beneath the surface of every zone. The heat is then transferred through the glass into the pan that is above. This helps reduce energy consumption since it only consumes the power needed to heat the pan directly and not the air around it. They are also easy to regulate and respond quickly to temperature fluctuations. The flat surface of a ceramic cooker is easy to wipe down, so spills and splatters can be cleaned away with a cloth as they cool. It's worth remembering though that they're not suited to the kitchen that is hot or steamy conditions as the glass may discolour and crack if it becomes too warm. Many people don't care about the fact that ceramic hobs create a certain amount heat beneath the surface. In fact, most models come with cooling fans that are integrated to help regulate this heat and prevent it from affecting your workspace or kitchen. They are also insulated to reduce heat transfer from the hob to your kitchen. Ceramic hobs are also more flexible than induction hobs that require certain types of magnetically conductive cookware. Cast iron cookware should not 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 locking functions to prevent accidents in the kitchen. Some ceramic hobs have a feature called 'overflow prevention' that detects when a pot boils over and automatically reduces power to whichever zone it is in to minimise damage. As with electric cookers generally it is essential to ensure that a ceramic hob is correctly installed and equipped with the appropriate breakers and cables to ensure complete security. It's best to leave this to a trained electrical engineer, so that you can be sure that your ceramic hob is safe and reliable. Hobs with induction Like their name implies induction hobs have coils under the surface that generate magnetic fields that generate heat within the pan or in any metal objects placed on it. They use less energy than other kinds of hobs since they are cold until you are surrounded by a pan. They also heat more efficiently because the heat is generated from the bottom of a pan and not the entire surface of the cooktop. Like gas hobs, induction models come with an control panel on which you can set your preferences and check the power you're using. 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 a few non-stick cookwares work, but make sure you check the label or use a magnet along the base to confirm that your cookware is compatible with induction. Induction hobs are a favorite option for shared student halls or iQ Student accommodation penthouses. They feature sleek LCD displays, and their modern design is a perfect fit for modern kitchens. Induction hobs are safer than gas stoves that are traditional because they only heat when they are placed over them and turn off automatically once the pan is removed. Induction hobs are controlled similar to an iPhone. A swipe on the slider will set your preferred temperature level. There are usually also up and down arrows on the control panel, which allow you to adjust the power level, or dial for precise temperature control. Some models come with the dual flex-zone feature that allows you to join two zones to create a larger space to cook larger pots. Others feature automatic shut-off as well as residual heat indicators, and a timer to alert you when your food is ready. Induction hobs emit an extremely low-level magnetic field with frequencies in the kilohertz spectrum that can affect certain medical devices like pacemakers, and it is important to keep them out of your body when not being used.