How to Choose the Best Hob
When choosing the best hob to buy there are a lot of aspects to consider. From cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are essential is vital.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs just PS100. However you'll need to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs, which are well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are a different option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this hob from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was also one of the quickest on test to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It comes with an child lock and pause function so you can stop the process quickly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit flush on the worktop.
The controls are intuitive to use and we liked the clear display that informs you the current power settings, and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a brief period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of water to a boil fast. The hob's light that is hot and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.
However it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the cooking temperature, meaning you may need to alter settings multiple times before your pan is at the right temperature.
The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying 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 cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by third party companies and has several safety features like a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen or looking for an alternative to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a little more.
This sleek model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and get more info automatically selects the appropriate zone.
Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.
Testers were awed by the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that slide along the edge of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's colour scheme allows you to quickly determine the status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
In addition to this, the hob has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you if there is any risk of burning or burning food. There are a variety of safety features, like an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface becomes too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist tough stains and cooking marks. The hob is simple to set up and has nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are also a variety of extra features, like locking controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to create magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means they can reach temperatures much quicker than conventional gas hobs, and also conserve energy since the cooking zone only heats up when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too making them a popular choice.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring boiling water to. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection by pressing the button. The controls are easy to operate and let you select nine power options, including the P boost option that provides maximum power to each zone for five minutes.
The controls are easy to operate and feature a modern, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up when we put an oven in the Booster zone. It took a while to cool down after turning off the hob, and our test subjects were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also comes with an overheating and child lock block and an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's heated to the point of. Our testers appreciated the fact that there were no visible flames that were messy and messy, and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people to take the filter out.
4. GE Induction Hob
When choosing a new hob think about how it will fit to your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and life. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as an automatic shut-off or an icy to the touch surface can make an induction hob an ideal choice. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas that are susceptible to power outages.