Cold weather and rainy days aren’t all bad.
They offer the chance to hunker down at home and get stuck into serious cooking, from comfort-food classics to fruit-filled crumbles and everything in between. But if you’re looking to upgrade your hob, what platform gives you the best chance at success, while complementing your contemporary kitchen?
Here's the lowdown on ceramic hobs.
What is a ceramic hob and what are the benefits?
Say hello to the ceramic hob, a stylish but discreet cooking appliance powered by electricity with a signature flat surface made from ceramic glass (the clue’s in the name with this one). The glass covers heating coils beneath that radiate through the surface and into the pots and pans placed on top to cook the food inside them. In addition to the smooth surface, typical features usually include touch controls to keep things flush, clearly marked heat zones – some are even adjustable to accommodate different sizes of cookware – and residual heat indicators to prevent burns and highlight where food can be kept hot. For those into aesthetics – aren’t we all? – ceramic hobs are particularly sleek and sexy in style, integrated into the worktop, while clean freaks will appreciate how easy they are to keep shiny and new (no crevices for crumbs and the like).
A senior oven buyer at electrical retailer Currys says: “Whilst there are lots of different types of electric cookers to choose from, a ceramic hob refers to an electric hob with tempered, heat-resistant ceramic glass. Due to its design, it can heat up quickly, saving you time when cooking. Other benefits also include safety – this type of hob usually has an automatic shut-off feature for when things get too heated in the kitchen – while they’re extremely easy to clean.”
Do ceramic hobs require special cookware?
Luckily, ceramic hobs don’t require special cookware – here’s looking at you, induction and gas – but it’s worth considering flat-bottomed pots and pans to ensure seamless contact with the heating zones. Smooth bases are also recommended to avoid scratching the ceramic surface, so textured cookware is best avoided (such as cast iron, which can be heavy and rough). Bye-bye, Le Creuset! It should go without saying, too, that you’ll need to match the size of your cooking zones to your pots and pans – oversized or undersized cookware might not heat as efficiently as it should.
What is the difference between ceramic and induction hobs?
Isabella Forgione, oven expert at AO.com explains: “Ceramic hobs are popular, but they can be slower to heat up and cool down compared to other hob options, while they’re not as energy-efficient as induction.
Induction hobs, on the other hand, are all about efficiency and modern tech. These hobs use clever electromagnets to directly heat only the base of your pans, rather than the entire cooking zone. This not only makes them more energy-efficient but also means the area around your pans stays cool. Similarly to ceramic, induction hobs are easy to clean, making them perfect for a contemporary kitchen. On the downside, though, they require induction-friendly pans and may be more expensive upfront compared to ceramic or gas hobs.
Consider your cooking habits. If you prefer something that heats up quickly and responds instantly to temperature changes, opt for induction. If you’re looking for an easy-to-use option that doesn’t require special cookware, however, a ceramic hob could be the better choice.”
Here, we put our culinary skills to the test and trial some of the latest and greatest ceramic hobs on the market, from Bosch to Hotpoint and everything in between.
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Samsung 4 Burner Smart Ceramic Induction Hob NZ3000
- Power: 7.2kw total
- Dimensions: 590w x 57h mm x 520d
- Warranty: 2 years
Four zones are orchestrated via an intuitive and extra-wide touch-screen control on this fancy ceramic hob from Samsung.
It enables fast and precise cooking as you glide your finger across the surface to adjust the heat seamlessly. The quick stop function is helpful, minimising the risk of accidents by enabling you to turn off cooking zones with the touch of your finger to stop pots from boiling over or pans from burning.
But our favourite feature is the auto pan detector that tells you if the diameter of your cookware is suitable for that particular zone. Think of it like your own personal sous chef.
Buy now £249.00, Samsung
Bertazzoni 80cm Induction Hob with Integrated Hood
- Power: 8.4 kw
- Dimensions: 515w x 210h x 830d mm
- Warranty: 1 year
The crowning glory of ceramic hobs – with a price to match – this sexy thing from Bertazzoni is a thing of beauty.
Looking sleek and stylish in glossy black, it complements modern interiors perfectly, but it’s certainly not style over substance. Expect all the usual bells and whistles – four cooking zones, nine power levels, etc. – plus, lots of extras: a mutislider for each zone to set cooking parameters (and avoid cooking disasters); a multizone function to turn two cooking zones into one larger one; and – wait for it – an integrated hood with five speed selections and automatic operation function (adjusting its speed based on the power used).
Go on – splash out.
Buy now £2699.00, John Lewis
Bosch Series 2 PKE611CA3E 59cm Ceramic Hob
- Power: 2.2 kw
- Dimensions: 592w x 46h x 522d mm
- Warranty: 2 years
Whether frying bacon, warming soup or boiling spaghetti, this ceramic hob from Bosch is one of our favourites, featuring four zones with plenty of space to accommodate your cooking needs. Heck, you can even do everything at once, if you’re up to the challenge.
When it comes to controls, the design features tangible sword knobs, rather than touch-screen, meaning you remain firmly in the driving seat even when spillages happen (which, let’s face it, they will) and render some ceramic hobs useless.
Buy now £249.00, AO
Hotpoint HR620RH 58cm Ceramic Hob
- Power: 5.7 kw
- Dimensions: 580w x 50h x 510d mm
- Warranty: 1 year
Make dinner easy-peasy with this simple but effective ceramic hob from Hotpoint. It serves up four zones, as most tend to do, albeit controlled via good old-fashioned dials rather than the usual touch-screen, while the surface itself can be cleaned with the wipe of a cloth.
Crucially, when areas are still hot, they’ll light up red, so you’ll know, a) not to touch them, and b) there’s still leftover heat to keep food warm. Pretty standard in ceramic hobs, apparently, but we’re still impressed.
Buy now £169.00, AO
Hisense E6431C 59.5cm Ceramic Hob
- Power: 6 kw total
- Dimensions: 595w x 54h x 520d mm
- Warranty: 2 years
Hisense is a great brand for busy households that cook regularly, and this reliable and hard-wearing ceramic hob is a case in point with four zones that heat the pan, rather than the surface, and front-touch controls for temperature adjustments within easy reach.
As if that wasn’t enough, safety functions come in the form of overheat protection and child lock, making this a welcome addition to any kitchen.
Buy now £181.00, B&Q
LOGIK LCHOBKN23 59cm Electric Ceramic Hob
- Power: 6 kw total
- Dimensions: 590w x 72h x 520d mm
- Warranty: 1 year
Comprising four cooking zones in two convenient sizes, this Logik ceramic hob gives you plenty of flexibility for your different pots and pans, while 12 power levels enable you to tailor the temperature according to the dish with absolute precision (a light griddle for vegetables versus a searing heat for sirloin, for example).
Better still, residual heat indicators – a hallmark of ceramic hobs – warn you if any of the zones are still hot when you’re done, meaning no nasty burns.
Serious bang for your buck.
Buy now £109.00, Currys
AEG 3000 Series HRE95770FB 90cm Wide 5 Zone Ceramic Hob
- Power: 5.1 kw
- Dimensions: 910w x 50h x 520d mm
- Warranty: 2 years
With five zones, this expansive hob from AEG – Electrolux’s posher brand – is best for those with lots of mouths to feed. Featuring a sleek black design and LED control panel, it makes for a modern and sophisticated addition to any kitchen, while a range of power levels provide versatility for a raft of cooking needs. The boost function is great for quick heating and the warm and pause functions are lifesavers. Our favourite feature, though, is the countdown timer to help you keep track.
Buy now £562.00, AO
Haier Series 6 HAIH8IFMCF 83cm Induction Hob with Extractor Fan
- Power: 5.1 kw
- Dimensions: 830w x 210h x 510d mm
- Warranty: 2 years
Get those pots and pans bubbling and sizzling with this induction hob from Haier featuring a vetroceramic surface – a composite material of ceramic and glass – and when it’s taking too long simply hit the boost function to deliver an extra burst of heat to one of the four cooking zones. The pause function is equally helpful – if you need to check on the kids or there’s a knock at the door, for instance – while the bridging zone enables you to accommodate bigger cookware by turning a couple of zones into one larger one.
Buy now £1577.00, AO
Stoves ST SEH602SCTC 60cm Ceramic Hob
- Power: 4.5 kw
- Dimensions: 590w x 55h x 55d mm
- Warranty: 1 year (labour); 5 years (parts)
Keeping things simple is this ceramic hob with four zones built into a glossy black surface enclosed by a stainless-steel surround. Nine power settings – including boost function – touch controls, residual heat indicator, pan detection and auto standby wrap up a neat little package. It couldn’t be easier to clean, either.
Buy now £359.00, Stoves
Caple 90cm Electric Ceramic Hob
- Power: 5.1 kw
- Dimensions: 900w x 55h x 520d mm
- Warranty: 1 year (labour); 10 years (parts)
Characterised by a distinctive frameless design that integrates seamlessly into any worktop, Caple’s electric ceramic hob is a sleek and sophisticated number that combines form and function to spectacular effect. The black glass is controlled via digital display, there are programmable timers for each of the five ceramic plates and residual heat indicators, child locks and automatic shut-off provide safety. A winner for dinner.
Buy now £847.38, Caple
