Do you want to upgrade your kitchen hob? Or, you’re looking for halogen cooktops that can accommodate your kitchen needs. Well, we got you covered in this scenario.
This article will provide an ultimate guide on halogen hobs pros and cons. We will also tell you how halogen hob works and Is it right for your needs?
Halogen cooktops are also known as infrared hobs. It uses conduction and radiation to cook food. A ceramic glass surface takes a little longer to reach the desired temperature. Inferred instant light produces instant heat instead of a traditional metal coil.
Cutting to the chase, let’s move on to the essential information so that you can decide which type of hob is best for you.
How Do Halogen Hobs work?
Halogen hobs have a ceramic glass top that uses thermal principles of radiation.
In a nutshell, heat is produced by the light emitted through electricity.
- Halogen hobs have smooth burners.
- It doesn’t contain any electric coil.
- The heat-producing time is almost the same as a gas burner.
So, it is a mixture of gas and induction. The heat can be controlled like in gas cooktops. And the cooking process resembles induction hobs.
Pros And Cons Of Halogen Hobs
Electric halogen hobs can be convenient with healthy caring and instant cooking. But what about radiation and infrared light? It isn’t bad for your health.
To answer your concerns, we don’t do a lot of research. Have a look:
Advantages Of Halogen Hobs
- Easy To Clean – Edge Over Gas Burner
Compared to the traditional cooktops, halogen hobs have a flat surface. You can clean it in no time. This gives it an edge over a gas burner.
- Consume Less Electricity – A Win Over Electric Hobs
The red ring under the ceramic surface heats up fast. It transfers indirect radiation to the pan, creating a higher temperature.
It saves 23% in energy consumption compared to the electric cooktops.
- Adjustable Heat – Best Of Both Worlds!
Chefs prefer gas burners as it is easy to manage them. Remember those burnt food nightmares when you forget to set a suitable timer on the eclectic plate?
Well, you can adjust the heat instantly while using it.
- Stylish Design – A Perfect Look
If you spend your hard-earned money on kitchen hobs, it should suit your personality. The ceramic top gives it a glossy finish. The sleek design will be a perfect fit for your kitchen.
- Suitable For Every Pan – Got You Covered!
Any pot with a flat bottom can be used on it. It is a major plus point compared to cooking on induction hobs. You don’t need to buy separate cookware, which can cost much.
Every steel and cast iron pan with a thick base goes well.
Disadvantages Of Halogen Hobs
- Only Use 80% Of Energy – Induction Hobs Wins Here!
Even with the instant glowing rings, 20% of the heat is wasted during the food cooking process. Compared to the induction hobs, it is less energy efficient.
- Expensive – Cost Little Extra
You may find a two-ring halogen hob bit overpriced if you’re tight on budget. It is more costly as compared to gas and electric cooktops.
- Less Flexible – Not A Benchmark
Halogen hob’s cooking zone is not flexible. You need to place your cookware on the red glowing surface for even heat. Gas cooktops are better than them.
- Less Safer – It Could Be Batter
Due to the ceramic top, it stays warm much longer. The surface absorbs almost 20% of the waste heat. Once you turn it off, it remains warm for much longer.
Compared to Ceramic vs induction hob, the induction cooktop is safer as it is more energy-efficient and has flexible zones.
Our Findings – All The Information You Should Know
I used to own a gas burner before switching to an induction cooktop two years back.
But, luckily one of our team members is still using a halogen hob. So, here’re our findings;
- Compared to the gas hob, it is safer. There is no chance of gas leakage here.
- Electric halogen hobs are moderate energy sufficient.
- Some dishes, like deep frying or soups, can be cooked quickly.
- It works well on low wattage too.
As I mentioned earlier, with a halogen hob, there is no chance of fire eruption, but still, it is not the best option compared to an induction cooktop.
Halogen Hob – Should You Buy One?
To give you my honest review, I can safely suggest halogen cooktops are better than electric and gas burners. But nowhere near the induction cooktop.
Compared to an induction hob, it consumes more electricity. The work efficiency is 80%. Due to non-flexible cooking zones, you can only cook on fixed rings.
Halogen v/s Induction – Which One Is Suitable For You?
Some people assume that induction and halogen hobs are the same. But, in the deep meaning, both are different from each other.
| Testing | Halogen | Induction |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Time | Takes Longer | Instantly Desired Temperature |
| How Does It Work? | Infrared Light / Radiations | Magnetic Field |
| Efficiency | 78% – 80% | 100% |
| Safety | Takes 10 to 15 minutes to cool down | You can touch the surface instantly after cooking |
| Flexibility | Less flexible due to fixed zones | More flexible with more area for cooking |
| Pots and Pans | Any type | Special pans or 100% cast iron pots |
| Smell Problem | A slight | No Smell |
- Halogen hobs were a must-have and high in demand. But, recently, they have been replaced with induction cooktops.
- The surface of halogen hobs can be cracked, which is not a good thing.
- It is unsafe to cook on a cracked surface.
The red infrared light emitting from the halogen glass top can harm your eyes if you stare at it for a longer time.
We recommend an induction hob if you’re looking to buy a new one. Because it uses a magnetic field for cooking and no energy is wasted as heat is directly transferred to the pan. Before buying induction cooktops, ensure that there is a loop of wire printed known as the induction symbol.
Halogen Hobs Pros And Cons – Editor’s Final Thoughts
No doubt, electric halogen hobs are more suitable compared to gas and electric cooking plates. But when we compare it to induction, it is far less compatible.
The induction hob transfers 100% heat energy to the pan while the halogen plate wastes 20% energy.
Also, it is possible to burn using it, but the induction glass top is entirely safe to touch even after the cooking process.
