Hobs are essential for our kitchens. But, with multiple options available in the market, it can be a little tricky to choose the perfect hob that suits your needs and budget.
Five types of hobs are available across the U.K.: gas, electric, ceramic, induction, and domino. According to the BBC, the U.K government has planned to ban the use of Gas Hobs. Currently, 53% of residents prefer electric hobs, and there is an annual 6% sale increase in the induction hobs.
It is sometimes hard to pick the perfect hob according to your kitchen with multiple options available. To solve this dilemma, we have done a lot of research and will provide you with complete information about the types of cooking hobs.
Different Types Of Hobs.
Currently, five types of cooking hobs are available in the U.K.
- Gas
- Electric
- Induction
- Ceramic
- Domino
Electric cooking hobs are now generally preferred by many residential buildings in the U.K.
Cooker Hobs Types – Essential Information.
There is not much to explain regarding the cooking and cleaning process. Most modern designed cooker hobs are more energy convenient and easy to clean.
1. Gas
Gas hobs have been around since 1802. They are also considered the best for cooking curry and slow-cooked foods. It costs only 1.08p to run them per hour.
They are highly functional and also distribute heat evenly. Typically, they have four to six burners. 38% of houses use gas cookware.
Gas on glass hobs is also similar to the old school gas cookware. The only difference is they are mounted on the ceramic top. They are easier to clean.
Pros.
- Even and instant heat.
- Easy to control with multiple heat settings.
- Pocket Friendly.
Cons.
- Don’t work on poor gas supply.
- Open flame and challenging to clean.
2. Electric
An electric cooking hob is classic and takes two minutes to heat up. The cooking elements on it are known as “rings or zones.”
Most electric plates have four zones and 2-3 heat settings. One of the most important features is the child safety lock.
On average, it is expensive to cook with eclectic kitchen plates. Thermal or stainless steel allows them to heat up in no minutes.
Pros.
- Quick-cooking in a short time.
- Cutting-edge technology with all safety standards.
- Child safety lock to prevent any mishap.
- Easy to Clean
Cons.
- It takes a lot of time to cool down.
- Uneven heat
Which Is the Most Common Hob?
Professional chefs mostly prefer gas ranges as they are more pocket friendly and easy to control. Also, it is cheaper to cook with gas.
On average, 7.8p per day to run a four-burner per day.
3. Ceramic Cooking Plate.
Ceramic hobs work just like electric cookware. They have a heating element installed underneath the glass top.
They are outdated as it takes a lot of time to heat and cools down. You cannot cook on a ceramic range until it reaches its maximum heat settings. The average running cost is 28.4p per hour.
Ceramic hobs are convenient and pocket friendly as compared to most electric hobs. Even with the sleek, stylish design, we won’t recommend them.
Pros.
- No specific pan is required.
- Easy to clean and cheap to buy.
Cons.
- Risk of food burning.
- Hard to control them.
- They are not energy convenient.
- It costs a lot to repair them.
4. Induction.
Many of the World’s top chefs prefer induction cooking. Induction cookware is convenient, easy, and directly transfers heat to the pan instead of heating the surface.
To identify induction hobs, look for the “four-loop wire symbol” on the bottom of the cooking plate. The magnetic field underneath it cooks the food in no time.
The average running cost of an induction hob is 33.5p per day. It is still very convenient as compared to ceramic or electric cooking plates.
Can I Use Regular Pots On My Induction Hob?
You can only use cast iron pans, magnetic stainless steel pots, and cookware sticks to the magnet. The hob won’t turn on if you try to cook with glass or a regular pan.
Pros.
- Modern technology with child safety locks.
- Energy-efficient and easy to clean.
- Safe to touch with multiple flexible zones.
- It comes with multi-cook settings.
- Stir, Boil, and curry cooking setting.
Cons.
- Sometimes it creates a humming noise.
- Expensive as compared to other hobs.
- Need special pans for induction cooking.
Which Is Better, Induction Or Ceramic Hobs?
The main difference is “heating and cooking time.” The induction plate heats up quickly and evenly distributes heat directly to the pan.
On the other hand, ceramic consumes more energy and doesn’t heat up quickly and evenly. The induction cooks faster, which makes it reliable and more energy convenient.
Some induction hobs come with extractors that are very suitable for small kitchens.
5. Domino.
Domino hobs are small and convenient. They come in all shapes and sizes. In short, they are flexible and create a mixed type of hob.
You can purchase them according to your needs. Domino ranges are available in the future six types. You can also combine them to enjoy the best of both worlds.
Types of Domino.
- Gas
- Wok Burner
- Teppanyaki
- Fryer
High-end restaurants and food points mostly prefer Domino cookware. The wok burner is equipped with futurist technology. And the fryer makes crispy fish and chips every time you use it.
Pros.
- You can join all the domino plates together to have a great experience.
- Cooking options flexibility.
- Grill, deep-fry, and slow cooking at the same time.
Cons.
- The look is sleek and a little disjoint.
- Not suitable for small kitchens.
Which Type Of Hob Is Best For Cooking? (Which One To Buy)
Induction cooking is best for families. Most of the residential units across the U.K are gradually shifting toward it. Cleaning an induction hob is easy, and the child lock safety system leaves parents no worries.
For commercial purposes, we recommend going for a gas domino hob. It is more flexible, and a true example of one size fits all.
Things to Consider Before Buying Hobs.
Before picking a suitable cooking hob that meets your requirements, consider the following tips;
- Prefer a hob cooker with a child safety lock.
- We recommend the plate with a built-in extractor or venting system.
- Consider the cooking time.
- Remember, some hobs are cheap to buy but take a lot of time to heat up, consuming more energy.
- Make sure it comes with multiple heat control options and is easy to clean.
We recommend also considering the size of your kitchen, ventilation system, and daily usage.
Wrapping It Up!
Even the government is planning to reduce the usage of gas cooker hobs, but they are not going anywhere till 2050. Electric cooking plates may be expensive, but they are more energy convenient in the long term.
Among all the types of hobs, induction cookware is the best for cooking due to its multi-functions and environment-friendly technology.
