How to choose a hob
Hob types
Gas hobs remain a timeless classic, now enhanced to meet modern user needs. They offer a simple and convenient cooking option, allowing visual control of heating through flame size without the need for special utensils. The affordability of these models is a compelling factor. However, drawbacks include safety concerns with the potential for burns, decreased efficiency due to heating the air during operation, and challenges in cleaning due to grates and hard-to-reach areas. It's worth noting that gas hobs are not practical for spaces without gas supply, although certain models can be connected to gas cylinders.
Electric hobs being powered by electricity, eliminate the need for home gas supply. They are convenient in areas with consistent access to electricity, even in rural settings where gas may be unavailable. However, during times of power outages or instability, especially in the face of Russian aggression, relying on an electric stove may pose challenges. Nevertheless, electric models are easier to maintain compared to their gas counterparts, as they lack grilles and have fewer protruding parts. These models also categorize based on the type of burners they feature.
Induction. While not budget-friendly, induction hobs stand out as highly efficient appliances using electricity to generate a magnetic field in an induction coil. In simple terms, these burners heat cookware directly at the bottom, ensuring rapid heating, quick cooking, and substantial energy savings. Safety is a key advantage, as the hob's surface remains cool. However, induction models have specific requirements for cookware — they necessitate pots and pans with a dedicated induction bottom for proper functionality. Fortunately, most cookware available in stores is induction-compatible, and special adapters can be purchased if needed. Attention to dish size is crucial, as the stove adjusts to the contour of the bottom; if mismatched, heating may be uneven.
Hi-Light — burners with a heating element in the form of a thin corrugated metal strip. During operation, the surface itself heats up, which transfers heat to the dishes, which increases the risk of burns. Despite this, the burners provide fast heating, effective thermal conductivity and are only slightly inferior to induction, but at the same time they work well with any heat-resistant containers.
Cast iron — budget hobs with protruding burners in the form of metal “pancakes”, the main advantages of which are durability and affordable price. But such “pancakes” are not very convenient to use, since they heat up and cool down slowly, are also prone to deformation and are not easy to clean.
If you cannot decide on the type of heating and are faced with frequent outages of both electricity and gas supplies, manufacturers have come up with combined hobs. They combine electric and gas burners and are connected to two sources at once. In this case, there may be the same or different number of gas and electric burners — it all depends on the needs of the buyer. But keep in mind that this is not a very common and inexpensive type of device.
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| Combined hob Teka JZC 63312 ABN BK with one gas and two induction burners. |
Design and sizes
The size of the hob is primarily determined by the number of burners it features. For individuals or kitchens with limited space, options with one, two or three burners are available. A standard choice is a stove with four burners, typically around 60 cm wide. Larger families or those who cook frequently may opt for stoves with five, six, or more burners, with widths ranging from 70 to 90 cm or more. It's essential to consider your kitchen's capabilities and features when making a selection. Even for singles who don't cook frequently, it's advisable to choose a stove with a reserve of 3 or 4 burners in case of family expansion, guest visits, or a newfound inspiration for cooking, provided the kitchen size allows for a larger surface.
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| Samsung NA64H3030BK gas hob with diamond-shaped burners. |
Also, when purchasing, pay attention to the design of the stove and the location of the burners. Compact two-burner models are usually made like a domino, it means that they have an elongated shape. The diamond- shaped arrangement looks more original and makes it possible to place utensils of non-standard sizes (only this format is available only for gas models). There are also hob surfaces of unusual shapes (triangles, semicircles, all burners in one row) and decorated in retro style to match the kitchen interior.
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| Gorenje GW 6D42 CLI hob that made in retro style. |
Traditional stove designs incorporate burners of varying diameters and power. Within gas stoves, turbo burners stand out with two or three rows of flame, influencing heating time and ensuring even heat distribution. These burners, also known as WOK burners, are particularly suitable for woks and preparing Asian cuisine. Additionally, certain models provide a a wok stand as an alternative to a dedicated WOK burner.
Covering types
Not only the appearance of the hob, but also its durability and ease of maintenance depends on what material the surface is made of.
Enamel is the cheapest and therefore most common material, which is mainly used in gas hobs. It looks good, comes in a variety of colors, and is easy to clean. But at the same time, the enamel is easy to scratch and chip, so it is better to soak the stains and clean them with more gentle detergents and soft sponges.
Stainless steel is also an inexpensive, but more durable and practical material. It is more difficult to damage, but it looks less aesthetically pleasing, since all dirt and even fingerprints are visible on the surface. Steel is often chosen for gas models or electric ones with cast iron burners.
Tempered glass offers a stylish appearance, easy cleaning, and resistance to scratches. However, it is more delicate than enamel and stainless steel, making it susceptible to damage from strong impacts. The advantage is that it doesn't pose a risk of cutting due to its shattered pieces. Tempered glass is suitable for gas and combined devices but not for electrical ones due to its low heat resistance. It's also incompatible with Hi-Light heaters.
Glass ceramics are versatile, compatible with electric heaters, and commonly used in various hob types. Known for its resistance to high temperatures, it's stronger than tempered glass (though less durable than enamel and stainless steel) and features an easy-to-clean smooth surface. With its aesthetic appeal, glass ceramics are available in different colors and patterns, making them a desirable choice for design-conscious users. However, the material comes at a higher cost, contributing to the overall expense of a glass-ceramic-coated stove. Notably, specific subtypes like Schott Ceran and EuroKera, associated with reputable manufacturers, emphasize high-quality coatings.
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| Hob coated with Schott Ceran glass ceramics. |
Useful features
Gas hobs, unfortunately, do not have many functions. Among their capabilities are auto-ignition (automatic ignition system) and gas control — a safety system that stops the gas supply when the flame goes out (for example, if liquid is spilled on the burner). But for electric models, the list of possible additional functions is much longer:
- zoneless induction — a surface that has no divisions, acts as a single working area and allows you to place utensils in any convenient place;
- FlexZone is an adaptive zone that combines several heating zones under one substrate. As a result, when placing large or irregularly shaped utensils, the burner recognizes the object and activates the heating zone depending on its size;
- Bridge mode – the ability to combine several adjacent burners into one;
- an oval heating zone for placing elongated cookware, most often implemented as a contour zone;
- dual-circuit with the ability to change its size to work with utensils of different sizes;
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| Gunter&Hauer CER 642 hob with a dual-circuit burner and an oval zone. |
- timer to control time. Some timers can simply sound a signal after a set time has elapsed, while others can turn off the hob;
- automatic programs like auto-fry and melting — use preset settings for different processes;
- automatic boiling detection — a system that automatically reduces the power of the burner after the contents of the cookware boil;
- maintaining the temperature to keep the finished dish hot if someone is late to eat;
- residual heat indicator is a safety feature. The indicator signals when the burner is hot to avoid the risk of burns.
What else to pay attention to
When considering hob features, an essential factor is the control mechanism. Traditional rotary knobs, a familiar option for many over the years, are simple but can be challenging to maintain due to dirt accumulation. A more practical alternative is touch control, which can take the form of a slider for intuitive power adjustments with a finger movement or touch buttons for precise control. Some models offer individual control for each burner, while others have a centralized panel for burner selection followed by settings adjustment. Touch controls, commonly found in electric models, are sleek and don't protrude, preventing dirt buildup. While more expensive than classic switches, advanced devices may feature a a display and even Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control via a a smartphone or tablet application.
If there are small children in the family, we recommend paying attention to the child lock feature. This is a control panel lock that prevents little fidgets from changing settings or turning on the heating.
Let's discuss additional features that impact the hob's price but may not be necessary for all users. One example is a built-in hood, which, while beneficial, tends to be less efficient than standalone hoods and requires an air duct connection. Alternatively, some models offer automatic hood control, allowing the hob to synchronize with and regulate the hood's power based on its operation. Another potential addition is a temperature probe, particularly useful for cooking dishes with varying degrees of doneness, such as steaks or sous vide recipes. In some cases, the temperature probe communicates with the hob to regulate heating, but these models are less common and come with a higher price tag.
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| Hob with built-in hood. |
To summarize, the choice of cooking surface is influenced not only by the personal preferences of the buyer, but also by many other factors: the dimensions and features of the kitchen, the availability of gas and electricity. It even affects how often and what exactly you cook, because if the hob is necessary only to fry eggs and boil sausages - overpaying for advanced features makes no sense. Therefore, before buying, we advise you to think it over, assess your options and consider the pros and cons. Our website has many filters for a more convenient selection, feedback from real users and reviews of appliances.
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