How to Choose the Best Hob
When choosing the best hob, there are many factors to take into account. From price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are a popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features a pause function, so you can stop the process without having to fiddle around using controls.
Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls are simple to use and we liked the clear display which tells the current power setting, and which of the five zones is active. The "Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and quickly heating up pans. The hob's light that is hot and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, so you may need to alter settings several times before your pan reaches the right heat.
This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It has dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal' and 'boost' power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat while searing it or bringing water to a rapid boil.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programs that are divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive multislider interface as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set up the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn pans from third party companies and has a number of safety features like a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
If you're working in your kitchen, or looking for an alternative to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed dramatically over the past few years. Basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that include induction, it's worth paying extra for the most up-to-date technology.
This sleek model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9 cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not leave out flexibility too - this hob is designed to reduce power consumption by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed with the user-friendly interface of this hob that has intuitive controls that slide across the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow your pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. ovens and hobs uk "Flexi duo" feature lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
The hob also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you in the event of a food item being burned or a fire. There are other safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard marks and stains from cooking. The hob comes with nine power levels and a 'FlexiDuo feature' to allow for large pans, and is simple to set up. There are some additional features such as lockable controls, and an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pressing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They use copper plates to create an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They heat up faster than gas hobs and they also consume less energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They are generally less expensive to run than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as an instant booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you create perfectly cooked meals with the click of the button. The controls are easy to use and let you select nine power options, including the P boost option that provides maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also easy to use and have modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. However, it took a long time to cool down once it was turned off from the hob and our testers found it difficult to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
In addition to a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and an overheating block as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the appliance from working when it's heated to the point of. Our testers appreciated the fact that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room by a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to clean, even though it required two people to lift the filter to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Think about how the hob can fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as the style of cooking you prefer. Induction hobs are an excellent choice for cooking with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features like automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. If you're looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are a great option for those who live in areas prone to power outages.