Everything You Need to Know About Electric Hobs
If you're looking for a new electric hob, there are a few things you need to know before making your purchase. Electric hobs come in several different varieties, each with its own set of pros and cons.
Types of electric hob
Induction hobs
Electric hobs come in several different varieties – there are induction hobs which use magnetic coils to generate heat within the pan, and there are the more traditional sort which uses electricity to heat up a platter, upon which pots and pans can be placed during cooking.
Induction hobs are often thought to be more energy-efficient than electric hobs, as they only heat up the pan, and not the entire cooking surface. They can also be faster to heat up, and easier to control the temperature on. However, they can be more expensive to buy, and you'll need to use induction-compatible cookware – so if you have a favourite saucepan that you're not willing to part with, an induction hob might not be the right choice for you.
Induction hobs they are the most expensive type of electric hob to buy and only work with pans that are made from a magnetic material such as cast iron or stainless steel.
The speed of an induction hob is really impressive , it can heat a pan of water to boiling point in around 2 minutes 30 seconds. Here at Ship It we thoroughly recommend induction hobs, they can take a little getting used to, but when you've cracked their raw power the kitchen will be a happier place.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic electric hobs are one of the most efficient type of electric hob. They use less energy than metal-plate hobs and so are more economical to run. They are also easier to keep clean as they don't get as dirty as metal-plate hobs. However, they are more expensive to buy than metal-plate hobs.
Ceramic hobs see electric coils wound beneath a tough sheet of ceramic glass. When switched on, an electric current runs through the coil and creates heat. The more coils there are, the more powerful the hob will be. You’ll be able to see exactly where the heat source is, thanks to patterns on the surface.
Ceramic hobs have certain jobs that they excel in, including jam making and candy making as well as general cooking. They are also good for simmering and frying, so if you do a lot of this sort of cooking then a ceramic hob electric cooker is definitely worth considering.
Ceramics also come in an option of control. You can have either knob or touch controls. Touch controls are generally found on the more expensive electric hobs.
Solid plate hobs
Electric hobs are usually less expensive than induction hobs, and they work with any type of cookware. However, they can take longer to heat up, and it can be more difficult to control the cooking temperature. Additionally , electric hobs can sometimes heat up the entire cooking surface, making them less energy-efficient. Solid-plate electric hobs are made from a solid metal plate that is heated by electricity.
Metal-plate (solid plate) electric hobs are the cheapest type of electric hob to buy. They are not as efficient as ceramic or induction hobs however and so will cost more to run. They can also be more difficult to keep clean as food can burn onto the exposed heating elements.
In summary.
When choosing an electric hob, it's important to consider your own needs and preferences. If you're looking for speed and precision, an induction hob might be the right choice for you. However, if you're on a budget or you prefer to use your existing cookware, an electric hob could be a better option. Whichever type of electric hob you choose, make sure to read the manufacturer's instructions carefully before use, in order to ensure safe and proper operation.
Metal plates have a considerable disadvantage – they absorb enormous amounts of heat, and so take a long time to heat up and cool down. This lack of responsiveness may prove inconvenient while you’re cooking – but it’ll also result in wasted energy, as the heat which you might have used to cook with will be radiated outward into the room. Long-time owners of plate hobs tend to form the habit of turning their hobs off slightly before they finish cooking – and allow the residual heat from the plate to finish the job.
A ceramic surface, by contrast, will allow the heat to be more quickly conducted upward, allowing for speedier and more efficient heating. Since a ceramic hob generally consists of a single uninterrupted surface, they’re also a great deal easier to clean – there aren’t any nooks and crannies for bits of grime to get lost in. Moreover, more modern ceramic hobs come equipped with special features like touch controls that will make using and maintaining them easier.
On the other hand, electric plate hobs are very affordable, which means they’re great for homeowners on a budget.
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Fitting an Electric Hob
Fitting an electric hob isn’t the same as plugging in a hairdryer or iron – though the technologies work via similar principles. The vast majority of electric hobs will draw more than thirteen amps – and so blow the fuse in a standard plug (and it’s a good thing too, otherwise the wire would likely overheat and cause a safety risk).
Electric hobs should instead be hardwired directly into the mains by a qualified electrician. If you’re considering doing the job yourself, you’ll want to consider the risks: mains electricity can inflict serious injury and death if not treated with respect – and poor wiring jobs can cause the hob to function improperly. As well as labour, you’ll need to cover the cost of test equipment that’ll ensure the safety of the cooker.
You’ll also need to think about the location of electric outlets and sinks. Electrical outlets should not be placed behind or near grills, and a distance of 300mm should be maintained between the grill and any sink in order to prevent any malfunction.
Cost of Running an Electric Hob
As we’ve mentioned, unlike an induction hob, which generates heat directly within the pan, an ordinary electric hob works by generating heat in a coil, which then passes through the surface of the hob and into the pan. This offers plenty of scope for inefficiency, as a portion of that energy will pass into the surrounding atmosphere rather than into the pan.
In this respect, ceramic hobs perform better than their metal-plate counterparts – which is why the former are gradually replacing the latter. That said, modern plate hobs are considerably more efficient than their predecessors, and so comparisons between the least-efficient plate hobs and modern ceramic ones are unfair.
SIA CERH60BL 60cm 4 Zone Touch Control Electric Ceramic Hob
Generally speaking, ceramic hobs are superior to plate hobs in terms of efficiency – and should be opted for where your budget allows. If however you’re on a strict budget or looking for a short-term solution for a kitchen you don’t intend to invest much time in, metal-plate hobs can still offer a workable option.
Equipment for Electric Hobs
Traditional electric hobs do have one advantage over induction hobs – they’re able to work with any pan – including non-magnetic ones. This makes traditional electric hobs the more obvious choice, particularly for those who’ve assembled a sizeable selection of ceramic and metal pans.
In the case of ceramic hobs, however, you’ll want to be aware of the risk of damaging the glass – which, while resilient, will tend to crack if a heavy pan is dropped on it from a height, and scratch if one is dragged across its surface. Copper-bottom and aluminium pans may encounter a similar problem, as they can potentially leave microscopic particles on the surface of the hob after cooking, which can over time form a residue that will necessitate cleaning.
As a rule, glass containers can be used – but only if they’re advertised as hob-suitable. Many of them, notably Pyrex trays, are designed solely for oven use, and will burn if placed onto a hob, forming a nasty black patch that will render them unusable, or – worse – cracking and spilling their contents across your kitchen.
Electric Hob Safety
Since electric hobs don’t produce poisonous gases like carbon monoxide, they’re thought of as safer than their gas-based equivalents. Despite this, they’ll still produce levels of heat that pose a danger – especially if they’re left unattended.
While the more expensive hobs come equipped with safety features turn them off automatically after a given timespan, you’ll still need to ensure that you turn yours off before walking away from the hob after you’re done cooking. This is especially so in the case of plate hobs, which absorb heat, and take longer to return to room temperature. Depending on the available wattage, electric hobs are able to reach temperatures far in excess of those found in the interior of an oven, and are able to ignite stray tea-towels and kitchen roll with ease.
If you’ve got children or pets in the house, then the danger is all the more pressing. A significant portion of house fires are caused by stoves being left on, so it’s important that cooks remember to switch off before walking off!
Browse our full range of ceramic electric hobs here, or our plate electric hobs here. You can also check out our high-quality Gas and Induction Hobs too.
Looking for advice? Try our handy guides on all things hob related:
Buying an induction hob
Buying an electric hob
How to clean a hob
Using an induction hob
The difference between induction and ceramic hobs
