Choosing the Best Hob
The best hob to choose depends on your preferences for cooking and the space available. Choosing the right type of hob requires a look at the kind of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.
A basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100 if you opt for an own-brand model. They're less difficult to clean and come with various safety features including the red indicator that illuminates when the surface is hot.
1. Flexibility
A versatile hob can assist you in achieving your goals, whether that's perfecting your pancake technique or making a quick dinner for midweek. The top hobs offer precise temperature control, by incorporating features such as dual wok burners and an enormous cooking space, making them ideal for a variety of dishes. These hobs can be utilized in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. Additionally, many have the option of an integrated extractor fan, eliminating the need for a separate overhead appliance and freeing up space on your worktop.
Gas hobs provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're a popular choice. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning to prevent carbon build-up and fires. Plus, they can often take longer to boil water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pan instead of the cooktop surface They are, therefore, easier to keep clean. But they can also be more expensive than gas hobs, as their glossy surfaces can reveal fingerprints and scratches more easily.
Hybrid hobs bring the benefits of both gas and induction cooking in one unit, allowing you to switch between the two depending on the kind of food you're cooking. They're great for people who like to flex their culinary abilities but don't have the space or time for a major kitchen upgrade.
This electric hob is a fantastic example of a product that is flexible in appearance and function. The dual flex zone can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls come with a child lock feature that prevents children from changing the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so you can manage the features via your smartphone.
Smeg's induction cooktop is a high-spec model that can be connected to your home WiFI network. It's packed with features that make cooking faster and easier with features like automatic pan detection and PowerBoost and a timer and a pause function. It's also simple to use thanks to control buttons that respond instantly to changes you make and an elegant, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The most efficient hobs consume the least amount of energy regardless of whether you're cooking soup or bringing water to a boiling point. They're also an excellent choice for those looking to reduce their electricity bills. Induction hobs are the most efficient type that make use of electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan to ensure that the glass remains cool. This makes them the most secure choice, preventing accidental burns. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be more affordable to run than electric models.
The Miele I Flex induction hob is our top choice. It provides a lot of flexibility, thanks to the "I Flex zone. This allows you to combine two cooking zones into one large area, making it possible to use larger pots and pans. The child lock on the touch controls stops children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is a great feature for families with young children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it is easy to clean using only a simple wipe.
The hob also comes with a 'Pan detection function' that shuts off the power to a specific cooking zone when you take off the pan. It's not the only one that has this feature however it's an excellent feature that makes life easier when you cook many meals for a family or a group of friends.
This is a smart stove that is connected to the Internet so you can control it with an app on your phone. It will even notify you when your food is ready, so that you do not overcook it. The model we tested boiled a pan of hot water in only four minutes, which is incredibly fast for an Induction hob. It has flexible cooking zones which you can combine and an "Stop & Go' button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting so it's simple to turn off.
The induction cooker is portable and is compact and perfect for camping trips or taking to university. It is the thinnest and lightest hob we tried, yet it has all of our cooking functions as well as a responsive slider. It also comes with an integrated 'VaryCook' feature which lets you alter the temperature by moving the pan up and down the hob's surface, which is ideal for making sauces or caramel.
3. Convenience
You'll need to think about how the hob can fit into your kitchen, and what it will contribute to improving your home's functionality. This will help narrow down your options to help you select one that is suitable for your family as well as your home. It's important to read reviews to see what other people have had to say about the appliance, as it will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses better.
Certain brands of hobs have intelligent technology, making them the ideal choice for those who wish to control their cooking with their smartphone. Samsung's models, for instance come with electronic timers that allow you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is particularly helpful for those who lead busy lives and can be used by the timer to make sure that meals are prepared at the correct time without having to keep a close watch over them.
Gas hobs are a great option for those who prefer an old-fashioned look, since they can be used with a variety of cookware designs and sizes. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pots and saucepans on gas hobs. Plus, gas hobs often provide a range of settings, so you can alter the heat to suit your recipe or pan type.
Induction hobs are a popular choice for those who are looking to modernise their kitchen because they offer faster heating times and are more energy efficient than gas models. This is especially true with induction hobs that come with an oven built-in, as they can save space in your kitchen by allowing you to have a combined oven and hob in one unit.
A child lock is a different feature to be on the lookout for. It lets you stop the stove's controls and shields children from accidents in the kitchen. This is particularly important for families with young children since it can help avoid burns and other injuries. Additionally, many induction hobs have the ability to link two zones together to create a larger cooking area This can be helpful when you're cooking with large pans.
4. Safety
A high-quality hob will come with many safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the hob is heated. This can prevent accidents in the cooking area. Certain hobs may also include a child lock that can keep children from turning the hob on or altering the settings. Some may have a feature that allows you to merge two cooking zones into a single zone to allow you to cook a larger size pan.
This is a great feature for families with children and it can help keep everyone safe in the kitchen. It works by observing the temperature of the hob. If it determines that the pan hasn't been positioned correctly, or if there is an fire on the hob it will stop the burner. This is a great way to ensure your home is secure and is something you should look for when shopping for.
You can select between electric, gas and induction website hobs. Gas hobs use the use of a flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs feature electronic rings that can be controlled by pressing a button. Induction hobs utilize magnets to heat your pans. They will not work until a pan that is magnetizable is placed on them. This is an efficient type of hob that cools quickly after the pan is removed.
This kind of hob is able to save space because it does not require an extractor fan. It is therefore possible to have a an easier kitchen design. It's more expensive than other kinds of hobs, but it's a great option for any family. It can be used to get rid of excess smoke and steam from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality at home. This is a fantastic option for families since it can protect against burns and is easy to clean. When choosing a hob there are a lot of choices to take into consideration. Make sure to research them all prior to making your decision.