We Are Looking At Buying A New Cooker, Must Be Electric, Which Is The Better, Ceramic Or Halogen Or.....

[RATTER15]

As above^^^

[anneasquith]

RATTER, I could imagine you and cara with an AGA ?

[tonyav]

We have had both types RATTER, my Mrs say's Ceramic is better in her opinion.

[Graham-W]

Forgive my ignorance but, aren't all halogen hobs ceramic.
I know not all ceramic hobs are halogen but doesn't a halogen hob have a ceramic top?
Induction hobs are expensive but most efficient.

[RATTER15]

Anne, we have considered an Aga or Rayburn but really not practical and so expensive, we don't really want to be having to run an Aga in the height of summer and with Carakeel and all her medical problems we need something practical but yes we would love one.

Thanks Tony.

[RATTER15]

Induction??

[anneasquith]

a nice big shiny red one !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Graham-W]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Induction_cooking

Not as expensive as I thought, either.

http://www.appliancesonline.co.uk/l/induction_hobs/1/36-37-39

[Graham-W]

This explains it a bit and gets a good review.
http://www.appliancesonline.co.uk/product/VIA640C-Indesit-Induction-Hob-Black-15544.aspx

[tonyav]

Those look interesting, Graham.

[jomifl]

Induction hobs use an alternating magnetic field to induce electric currents in the base of the special cooking pots, which in turn heat up the contents.
The top of the hob remains cool so you can't burn yourself on it. You do need special pans though, you cant stick anything on them and expect the contents to get hot. Personally I prefer flames that I can see but induction hobs do have many advantages.

[jomifl]

Avoid the ones with the touch sensitive controls, It took me about 5 mins to get a friends hob to switch on because my hands were dry or I was wearing wellies.

[carrust]

Best check your saucepans are compatible with the cooker you choose.

[RATTER15]

We already have an extensive range of quality pots and pans, it would cost far more than the cooker to replace them all with the special ones so the induction cooker is out! Shame.

[tonyav]

Yeah, they look good as well, as you say RATTER thats a shame.

[jomifl]

If you can fit it in, get a hob/cooker that is the wider size, ie. 900mm preferably with a wok burner in the middle. The extra room makes a huge difference and a 1 1/2 size oven means you get about twice as much capacity. I can cook 8 loaves at once in ours.