If you have decided to change things up in your kitchen, you might be thinking of replacing your old hob. You’re probably asking yourself some big questions. Should you go for a ceramic or induction hob? What’s the difference, anyway? Which is better? Well, let us put your mind to rest! In this article, we will go through the two types and their pros and cons.
Wondering what the difference between ceramic and induction hobs is;
Looking for the pros and cons of both,
Then this article is for you!
What is a ceramic hob?
When talking about a ceramic hob, we most commonly refer to electric hobs with a ceramic glass surface. While induction, halogen and gas on glass are also variations of ceramic hobs, in this case, we will focus on the electric heating kind. For information on even more types of cooking hobs, check out our helpful post on the matter.
Ceramic hobs are a cheap alternative to induction. The price is lower for a reason, though, as this type won’t give you the control you could get with gas or induction. They do heat up quickly when compared to solid plate, which makes them a better option.
However, they take a while to cool down and their temperature control is fairly poor. This means that in order to get your food to simmer, for example, you may need to take the pot off the ring.
Ceramic hobs are not as efficient as their induction brothers. Since the entire ring gets heated and takes some time to cool down after use, more residual heat can escape.
One aspect all ceramic hobs share is how easy they are to clean. After they cool down, a simple wipe is all they need to sparkle again. Electric ceramic hobs, however, are at risk of having spilt food burn on top, which would make it more difficult to remove.
Most ceramic hobs have heat indicators that shine a red light to let you know they’re still warm. This can make them safer, however, take care when letting children near the hob as they might still burn themselves on the hot surface.
How it works
Electric ceramic hobs have heating elements fitted under the glass top. When the hob is turned on, these elements heat up the surface of the chosen ring. The heat then transfers to the cookware and the food through conduction. This means the entire hob ring gets heated and stays warm for a while after it’s turned off.
Pros
Cheaper to buy
Easy to clean
Heats up quickly
Cons
Poor heat distribution
Not as responsive as induction
Less efficient
Expensive to run
Not as safe to use around children
What Is an Induction Hob
It’s no wonder so many professional kitchens are switching to induction hobs. They have undeniable advantages over the ceramic kind. This type of electric hob gives you great temperature control and is very responsive. Getting food to go from boiling to simmering is easy and cleaning them is a breeze!
With induction cooking, only the pan gets heated up. The surface itself remains cool, which means no more burnt on food. If you spill anything on the surface, simply wipe it off immediately and carry on.
Induction hobs have heat indicators, as well, and they are much safer for children than ceramic.
This type of hob is very efficient compared to other varieties. Due to the fact that the ceramic surface does not warm up, the only residual heat produced comes from the pan itself.
Some higher quality induction hobs come with zoneless designs. This means you can place the pan anywhere on the ceramic glass and only the coils underneath will heat up. That way you get more freedom and room for cookware while preparing food.
One downside to induction hobs is that not all pots and pans will work with them. To use them, you would need cookware made out of ferrous metals, such as stainless steel and cast iron. For aluminium and ceramic pans, an induction plate needs to be built into the bottom.
This type of hob also has specific electrical requirements. Unless otherwise specified, plugging induction hobs into the 13 amp mains runs the risk of blowing the fuse. Installing them is best left to specialists.
So, how does an induction hob work? Well, it functions by heating up your pans through – you guessed it – electrical induction. Copper coils are fitted underneath the ceramic glass surface. When turned on, electricity runs through those coils, creating a magnetic field.
When ferrous metal cookware is placed on top, the magnetic field heats up the base of the pan and cooks your food. This means that the surface remains cool and no heating takes place when there is nothing on top of the ring. Automatic fans are used to cool down the coils when you need to lower the temperature or turn the hob off.
Like anything else that produces a strong electromagnetic field, induction hobs can interfere with medical equipment, such as pacemakers and insulin pumps. For those with pacemakers, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) advises that you keep a distance of at least 60cm from the stovetop. If you are unsure, check the written instructions given to you when your pacemaker was fitted, or avoid induction hobs altogether.
Pros
Very responsive
Heats up and cools down quickly
Energy efficient
Cheaper to run
Easy to clean
Zoneless options available
Cons
Expensive to buy
Needs to be installed by a professional
Not compatible with all pots and pans
Can be dangerous for people with pacemakers
In need of a new kitchen hob?
Fantastic Services offers installation of electrical appliances, carried out by skilled professionals. The technicians are equipped with all the tools they need to complete the installation or cooker hob repair. They will offer useful advice on which type of hob would fit your needs best and carry on with the installation service efficiently and carefully to ensure your satisfaction. Simply book your appointment, then sit back and relax while we handle all the hard work.
Your new kitchen is just a few clicks away! Find out about our electrical appliance installation service here.
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