What ceramic hobs can be found in the kitchen?

We generally differentiate between self-contained ceramic hobs and cookers combining oven and ceramic hob. A self-contained ceramic hob has its own operating controls and can be installed virtually anywhere in the kitchen. A cooker with a ceramic hob and oven, on the other hand, gives kitchen planners less design freedom. As a matter of principle, BORA cooktops are self-contained.

On an induction hob only the pot or pan heats up, not the hob itself. This is due to the special way in which heat is transferred by electromagnetic induction. Under the glass ceramic there are flat induction coils made from copper wire which generates an electromagnetic field when the hob is switched on. So that the heat transfer principle works, the cookware must have a magnetic base. This is the only way that it can absorb the energy from the magnetic field as heat. 
As the hob does not heat up at the same time, with an induction hob there is no danger of sustaining burns like with other hobs. Burnt-on food on the hob is also a thing of the past. Another advantage is that induction uses considerably less electricity than other operating modes. The electromagnetic field can be precisely regulated and provides heat very quickly.

Because on an induction hob it is the cookware and not the hob that is heated, when there is a small pot on a large cooking zone, no energy is lost. This is a principle which has been further perfected by surface induction hobs. On a surface induction hob there are no set cooking zones. Sensors below the hob detect the shape, size and position of the pots and pans. Only the inductors that are located right under the area on the hob in which the cookware has been placed are activated. It is totally irrelevant where the cook places the pot. Alongside this flexibility, surface induction also wins points for its attractive, elegant design, as there are no cooking zone marks dividing up the surface of the hob.

A cooktop with radiant heating elements is none other than what is often commonly referred to as a Ceran hob. However, strictly speaking, the term is incorrect. ‘Ceran hob’ simply means that the hob is made of glass ceramic. Ceran is a brand name of the company Schott AG, one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality glass ceramics and so is frequently used synonymously. 
But glass ceramic hobs can also work with induction, gas or even radiant heating elements. The latter is an electric hob with heating coils under the glass ceramic plate. Hobs that work with electric radiant heat are cheaper to buy than induction hobs but use more energy and are not as safe as the cooking zones are intensely heated during cooking.

Gas hobs are particularly popular with professional chefs and for most it is also a question of philosophy. They swear by cooking with gas: heat is provided by the seamlessly adjustable flame. That means that a gas hob quickly brings pots and pans up to the precise temperature required. Just as the flame is there immediately, when the hob is switched off it’s gone again straight away. Food does not keep on cooking and nothing is burnt on. 
Today’s gas glass ceramic hobs are a far cry from the gas cookers of the past – both in terms of appearance and function.

Tepan, teppan yaki or teppanyaki – there are several ways of describing this type of hob. Whichever term is used, it always refers to a flat steel plate that is used to grill on. Such teppanyaki hobs are derived from the Japanese art of grilling. Just as in the traditional Japanese kitchen, the cook places fish, meat or vegetables directly on the Tepan plate integrated in the cooktop. 
A teppanyaki hob usually has two cooking zones that can be separately adjusted. This enables you to grill a steak quickly on one side, whilst the vegetables cook slowly on the other. Teppanyaki hobs form part of the BORA Professional and BORA Classic cooktop ranges. And there’s more: you don’t need to worry about burnt-on food! A teppanyaki hob is easy to clean. Simply pour a little water mixed with vinegar onto the Tepan plate and leave it to soak for a few minutes. Any dirt can then be removed using a Tepan scraper and sponge. To finish off, just wipe away any residue and water with kitchen roll.

The Asian kitchen boasts another cooking utensil which can be used to prepare tasty, healthy meals: the wok. For its Professional and Classic lines, BORA offers a glass ceramic hob with an integrated induction wok. A suitable ferromagnetic wok fits perfectly into the hollow in the hob. This enables the magnetic field under the glass ceramic to heat the food quickly and thoroughly. Another advantage compared to cooking with a wok on a flat electric or induction cooktop is the high level of energy efficiency.