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Hobs are available in a wide variety of styles and sizes with
varying functionality. The most important functions and features are
outlined below in order to help you make an informed purchase.
When purchasing a hob you should first identify features you
consider most important. There are a considerable number of hobs on
the market so identifying important features early on will reduce
shopping time.
There are two fuel types available for hobs - gas or electric.
ELECTRIC
Surfaces of electric hobs are generally easy to clean. The main
disadvantage is that they are slower to heat up, cool down and less
controllable than gas hobs. However there is an increasing range of
electric hobs now available, some of which have features, which
reduce the above advantages at reasonable extra expense.
Heating Zones/Plates
With advanced
technology, electric hobs are now available with the following
heating zones or plates:
Induction – This is a new feature in which an
induction coil is used. Its advantages include, energy saving,
increased speed of heating and safety. A magnetic field is used to
heat the pan only and thus only gets hot from it contact with the
pan. Keep in mind that specific pans may be required.
Solid Plate – These electric sealed plates have
been in use longer than their counterparts. These are generally
slower than other options available. Plates containing a red dot are
slightly faster which you might find useful.
Halogen zones - Halogen tubes respond
immediately after the hob is switched on. Cooling of this type of
hob is considerably quicker than other methods.
Quick-light zones – This method is considerably
quicker than solid plates and also heats up the glass quicker than
halogen lamps.
Digital Display
Digital display is currently
predominately used in hobs with touch control. The display may
either indicate time and/or temperature.
Touch Control
These are used on ceramic
surfaces where the controls are placed under the glass. These are
activated through the light pressure being applied by placing a
finger on them.
Timer
Those hobs with more advanced timers
allow you to program up to 99 minutes.
GAS
Safety
Flame failure is a useful gas hob
feature. Its sensors detect when no heat is being generated and will
automatically switch off the gas flow.
Ignition type
There are two basic ignition
types which are as follows:
Automatic – As soon as gas is switched on the burners light
automatically.
Integral – One can light the burners by pushing an ignition
button or through the use of a control knob.
GENERAL ADVICE
Surface Type
Gas and electric hobs will either have enamel, stainless steel or
ceramic surfaces. Ceramic surfaces are available for gas hobs but
are mainly used for electric hobs.
Heat Indicators
A heat indicator is a means
of the hob indicating that the cooking surface is hot. This can be a
very basic system as with gas or halogen hobs where it is quite
obvious if heat is being generated i.e. a flame for gas hobs and
lights for halogen hobs.
The more advanced cookers have an additional feature of residual
heat indicator lights. These will contain a digital display, which
will indicate if the cooking zones are above or below a certain
temperature.
Number of Plates
The standard number of
plates for both electric and gas hobs is four. There are hobs
though, which can have the number of plates ranging from one to six.
Colour
Hobs with enamel surfaces are
available in a variety of colours. Ceramic hobs have a black surface
but their frames are available in a wide selection of colours.
Stainless steel surfaces do not offer variety in terms of colour
although the stainless steel may be brushed which offers two
alternative effects.
Child Safety
Some hobs include a mechanism
which ensures that the hob cannot be switched on easily by a child.
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