How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs, which are well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones and three "Push&Go" functions and can help you prepare quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process swiftly without having to mess with controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit flush on the worktop.
The controls were easy to operate and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level and which zone is in use. The "Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and quickly boiling pans. The hob's hot light and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.
It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, in contrast to six or seven on other models. It takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you may need to alter settings several times before your pan reaches the right heat.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking, searing meat or bringing water pans to the rapid boiling point.
It's fully connected through the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes with cooking instructions and 30 different programmes split into different food categories and preparation styles. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn pan sets and comes with a variety of safety features, like an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen, or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models are now available at less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth paying more to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots that have minimum diameters of 9 cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency doesn't overlook flexibility either This hob is designed to reduce power consumption by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking preferences. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to reduce energy consumption, reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edges of it. The color scheme of the control panel lets you quickly see the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pots. There are a variety of useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
The hob also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you if there's a danger of a meal that's been burned or a fire. There are a variety of safety features like the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. The hob comes with nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' to accommodate large pans and is easy to install. There are also best oven uk of extra features, including lockable controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. This means they can reach a temperature faster than gas hobs. They can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too making them a popular choice.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones which can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a rapid booster zone to quickly bring water to a boil. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection with the click of the button. And nine power modes, including a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to follow your pans.
The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up after placing an oven in the Booster zone. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and the testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
In addition to a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and an overheating block, as well as an auto switch-off system that shuts down the hob when it's heated to the point of. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no visible flames. Our test subjects were pleased with the fact that it's. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. Our experts thought that the duct on this hob was easy to clean, though it required two people to take the filter to change it.
4. Induction Hob from GE
Consider how the hob can be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen and what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a great choice for cooking with children or older people in mind. They come with safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the best choice. For those living in regions susceptible to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power outages may tip the scales in favour of gas models.