Beginner's Guide
Built-in Kitchen Appliances
3 Dec 2020, 6:50pm
What is a hob?
Designed largely similar to a stove, a hob has a variety of functions like pulse ignition, fire precaution and a better design overall. While it might seem excessive at first glance due to its price, we can assure you that the quality of performance it provides is worth every penny.
Let us take a look at what hobs are capable of.
Hotter and Better
Providing a diverse choice for heat control
Normal stoves do provide heat control but can only serve in a conventional way. This puts a strain in your cooking if you were to attempt a more complex dish that requires a precise temperature, and this is where modern hobs will prove its worth. The ability to alter flames from within and outside the ring of the burner provides a more accurate heating as opposed to gas stoves.
Safe and Sound
Cooking without worries
You’re literally playing with fire during cooking and any mishap can prove detrimental. Almost all modern hobs are integrated with a precautionary feature, a fail function that automatically shuts the gas supply in the off chance that the burner malfunctions.
Aesthetically Pleasing
Convenient yet gorgeous
One of the most common conundrums that interior designers face is appliance placement, where they are tasked with complementing beauty with the appropriate appliances. They usually aren’t pretty. Fortunately, modern hobs have elegant designs, made with tempered glass. It makes crafting your ideal kitchen so much easier.
Types of hobs and what are their specialties
Interestingly, hobs themselves have their own subsets that are broken down based on their materials or architecture.
Electric Hobs
Arguably the most cost-effective hob there is, the electric hob sacrifices a bit of functionality to provide a flexible option when it comes to pricing. That said, its functions are not too far apart from the rest. It still provides optimal fire boosting options — way better than conventional stoves.
Induction Hobs
Leaning towards the premium spectrum, induction hobs shine when it comes to speed. Generating heat from the cooking vessel itself, food is quicker to cook, which meant more saved time. A thing to note is that you’ll have to check the type of pan you’re using before getting one. You’ll need pans that contain ferrous metal in the base.
Gas Hobs
It’s the closest looking one to your conventional cooking stove. Gas hobs are a powerhouse when it comes to heating prowess. The direct heating it provides plays a part in inducing ‘the breath of the wok’, a must in Asian cuisine. Note that flames are visible so there might be safety concerns, but modern gas hobs are designed with proper flame failure protocols.
Ceramic Hobs
Probably the fairest and prettiest of them all, the ceramic hob brands itself through its immaculate aesthetic — it’s easier to clean. The downside though is that it forgoes a slight amount of heating efficiency for the sake of beauty. Burn marks and stain are a little more visible too. Although easy to clean, you might find yourself cleaning it more than usual.
Yay or Nay?
Is a Hob Really a Necessity?
There’s no straight or definite answer to that, as it really depends on how seriously you treat your cooking. If you’re someone that rarely uses the kitchen, then you might not need one. However, if you’re trying to hone your Michelin-chef skills, a hob is indispensable.
If you’re getting one, great! Here are some pointers for you to think about.
The type of pans you're using
Certain materials just don’t work well with others. This holds true for even hobs and pans, particularly for ceramic and induction hobs. Therefore, you should do some research before deciding on one. Make a list of hobs you like, and check their compatibility with your pans at home through the manufacturer’s website.
Frequency of maintenance and cleaning
Like every kitchen appliance, hobs do require cleaning, but its frequency is dependent on the type of hob you’re using and how often do you use it. For instance, glass and ceramic hobs requires more attention as their clear surface are easily stained as compared to electric and induction hobs.
Your Kitchen Build
Leaving aesthetics aside, your hobs efficiency might be affected based on your existing kitchen’s design. Your kitchen is built in the open? Try avoiding gas hobs as the fire might be put out due to flowing air currents. The place where your hob is placed attracts dirt? You might want to avoid ceramic hobs, or you’ll be removing stains on a regular basis.