What is a Hob?

Hob is a protein that is involved in regulating exocytosis. It has also been found to regulate insulin-producing cells in Drosophila. It is a component of the secretory apparatus, and is required for professional secretory cell function.

In the British kitchen, a stove is equivalent to the cooktop. Nigella often suggests leaving a pot on the best hob. The word is used with similar meaning in North America.

Induction hobs

Induction hobs employ magnetism, rather than direct heat to heat pots and pans. Underneath the cooktop's surface, there are coils through which an alternating electrical current flows through, and when a ferromagnetic pot is placed on the cooktop's surface, this creates a magnetic field which generates electricity to heat the pan. The cooktop is also cool to the touch and is energy efficient in comparison to gas or electric models.

Another benefit is that induction hobs and ovens are safer than their traditional gas counterparts as there is no open flames to harm your fingers or cookware. They are great for student halls and iQ Student Accommodation flats where safety is important. This kind of hob is also easy to clean because the smooth ceramic cooktop surface isn't heated and can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

The downside to induction is that you do need specific pans that are compatible. You'll need pans with a flat, even thick base made from ferrous metals such as cast iron or steel. These pans must be induction-compatible and a good way to test this is to run a magnet across the base. If the magnet sticks to the pan, it's suitable for your induction cooker.

Other popular choices are ceramic hobs, which have an elegant look and come in a range of colours. They are easy to heat up, although they do tend to utilise more energy than induction hobs, because they heat the entire glass-ceramic surface. They are easy to clean, too, since the cooktop's smooth surface can be cleaned with a cloth and most of them have dishwasher-safe lids for extra convenience.

If you want to get the most efficient of both, opt for an induction hob equipped with a TFT monitor that displays the position of your cookware, as well as a control panel to adjust the power settings. It comes with four automatic cooking modes that you can choose from (boil melt, Continue... slow and boil cook) and a boost function to give you faster results. It has locks that can be locked to prevent accidental button pushing. It also comes with an indicator of residual temperature ovens and hobs an auto-shutdown option if you forget to turn off your stove.

Gas hobs

Gas hobs use natural gas or propane to heat their burners and oven. This allows for a quicker cooking time and better temperature control. This makes it ideal for cooking, frying, sauteing, as other cooking methods. Gas hobs are generally more affordable to run than electric hobs, despite the fact that they aren't as efficient as electric hobs.

Gas hobs are also dependant of electricity. This means they're able to still work during power outages - albeit at a slower rate. It also has a lower fire risk since the heat of the burners is limited to the pans they come in contact with. However, it's important to keep all flammable substances away from the burners and follow safe cooking practices to prevent accidental fires.

A modern gas hob is a combination of traditional gas burners as well as various electrical components that control the burners' ignition, flame output, and safety features. Most models employ an electric ignition system which emits either an electric spark or a pilot flame to ignite the burner. They also come with control knobs for adjusting the flame intensity and heat output. Many come with an automatic timer that allows you to set an exact cooking duration.

While the upfront purchase price of gas hobs is usually lower than a model with an induction motor the operating cost will be contingent on the local gas prices. Some gas hobs are compatible with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which is often cheaper than natural gas.

Another drawback of a gas-powered hob is that it requires more care than electric ones. The burner grates are prone to attract grease-based spills and you'll need to clean the flat, rimless cooking surface more frequently to prevent food residue from becoming lodged in crevices. Certain brands, like FUJIOH have made cleaning easier by using cast iron or stainless steel hob grates. Additionally their flat rimless design eliminates the necessity for awkwardly positioned utensils and pot holders that can gather debris and increase the risk of spills.

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 feature residual heat indicators to let you know which zones have been used recently and are too hot to touch or clean. This reduces the risk of accidents and is especially useful in homes with children. Certain models are also equipped with an overflow protection system that detects when a pan is boiling over and automatically switches off the hob to stop spills from happening.

The idea behind them is to make them elegant and stylish, these induction hobs function by transferring an electric current through copper coils, which create magnetic fields that heat the bottom of induction-compatible cookware. Induction hobs are quicker at boiling than gas hobs and provide precise temperature control and energy efficiency.

These cooktops are more expensive and require a professional installation. They are often equipped with a flat ceramic glass cooktop for a modern look and offer an array of features, such as child locks as well as timers, auto shut-off and built in sensors for food preparation.

A popular choice for users, electric ceramic hobs offer the best oven of both by providing a smooth and easy-to-clean surface that is resistant to burning, scratching and staining. They come in a variety of colours that will fit in with your kitchen. Many come with pre-installed trims and panels to give a seamless look.

Similar to induction hobs, these models require regular maintenance, with the burner caps and grates having to be cleaned regularly and soaked in warm water to wash before reassembling. They are also more prone to staining because of spills of liquid. They also heat up slower than other types of hobs, despite their high energy efficiency.

The most delicious hobs

Hobs are an essential kitchen appliance that can transform a culinary endeavour into a symphony of flavours. Whether you are curating your cooking tools in a new way or just looking for an upgrade, we have various hob styles that will meet your requirements and budget.

The most elegant hobs are stylish and durable, as well as easy to clean. They also offer a wide range of features that let you cook like a pro. The most popular options are gas, induction, and ceramic.

Ceramic hobs employ heating elements that are electric and placed on a glass surface to transfer heat directly to cookware, making them energy efficient and simple to clean. They are quick to heat up and offer precise temperature control, making them suitable for all types of cookware. Certain models have residual heat indicators that inform you if the glass surface remains hot.

Induction hobs function by creating an electric field between the element and the pan, allowing heat to be generated only where it is needed. They heat up faster than traditional sealed plate or gas hobs, and also offer excellent energy efficiency.

Gas hobs have been a popular choice for a long time and are still preferred by many chefs. They heat up quickly and offer instant heat control. This makes them ideal for a variety of cooking methods. They are also economical to run and Hobs and Ovens can be used with all pans. However, they can be more difficult to clean as the burners and grates have nooks and crannies where dirt can get.