Modern hobs are both energy efficient and easy to clean. Our guide will assist you in finding the best one for your needs.
Whether you're a hesitant cook or a seasoned chef, a solid hob is a must-have in any kitchen. Meal preparation will be quicker and easier, and cleaning will be easier with the proper model for your space and cooking style. Find the ideal hob for you with the help of our professional guide.
Choose the appropriate size.
The most popular hobs have four burners on a 60cm-wide rectangular panel, which are referred to as zones on ceramic and induction hobs. 70cm and 80cm hobs are also available if you have additional worktop space (and money).
These often feature up to five burners, or four burners plus a wok burner. 90cm is the largest hob size that is commonly available. You can visit Fujioh, perfect place to find housing appliances in Malaysia.
It's not just about the amount of burners, but also about the type. One huge burner with two medium and a less powerful simmer ring is the most frequent configuration. Because you're unlikely to need to boil four large pans at once, this combination is ideal for most households.
Larger hobs with five or six burners frequently have a similar setup, plus an extra wok burner that's great for stir cooking or swiftly boiling huge pans of water.
Consider linear hobs.
Consider a linear model if the space available for your hob is wide but not deep. Instead of the standard square formation, these are usually 90cm wide but only 35 to 40cm deep, and have three or more burners or zones laid out alongside each other. You won't have to reach over hot pots to get to the back burners with this setup.
Innovations in gas
Gas is the conventional option, and many people rely on it as their only source of cooking fuel. "Gas hobs are more popular than electric hobs because they provide a visible source of instant heat." Smeg's Lucy King adds, "The flames can also be easily controlled and evenly distributed."
Although gas is rapidly being viewed as a poor relation to the more energy efficient induction stove, the gap is closing. The Hotpoint hob shown below, for example, uses direct flame technology, which claims to provide equal heat distribution across the full surface of the pan while saving up to 20% on energy and cooking time.
There's no reason to rule out a gas cooktop if you don't have access to mains gas. Liquid petroleum gas can be used in a variety of hobs (LPG). Are you concerned about your safety? Most gas hobs have flame failure devices, which turn off the gas if the flame goes out.
It's all about the stuff.
Gas hobs, which are often composed of stainless steel, can be difficult to keep clean. It's worth spending a little more to keep the gleam: "If you're looking for a stainless steel cooktop, make sure you invest in a quality one or risk losing the sheen," Lucy recommends.
Consider models with specialty coatings that protect the stainless steel's natural lustre, and keep your cleaning supplies stocked with stainless steel cleaning chemicals and e-cloths.
Alternatively, a gas hob with glass bases — a modern take on stainless steel – may be considered. Although glass lacks the industrial appeal of stainless steel, it is far easier to clean due to the fact that food sticks to it less.
So, how about ceramic stovetops?
Ceramic hobs were the go-to alternative to gas before induction. They haven't vanished: they're still widely available and offer an excellent spec at a fair price.
Heating elements beneath the glass surface of ceramic hobs warm up and transfer heat to the selected zone. They take longer to heat up and cool down than induction hobs, are more difficult to manage, and use less energy. Unlike induction hobs, however, they do not require special pans (more about this later).
The ceramic appearance is very appealing. Because there are no pan supports on the surface, it's more streamlined and easier to clean than a gas type.
Explaining induction hobs
Induction hobs have magnetic coils that react with appropriate pans to provide energy and heat. They are generally more expensive than ceramic hobs. This implies that only the pan's base is heated, not the entire zone, ensuring that no energy is wasted.