How to Choose the Best Hob
When choosing the best hob for your needs there are a lot of aspects to consider. From cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are important is crucial.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost less than PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model that comes with numerous features. Gas hobs are a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're also pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions, and will aid in cooking quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around using controls.
Its design is sleek and modern and blends well with modern kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls were simple to use and we appreciated the display that shows the current power level as well as which zone is in use. The "Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a brief time. It is perfect for stir-frying and quickly bringing pans to boil. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shut-off are also useful.
It's not as responsive as other hobs we tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings multiple times before you get the proper temperature.
This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The dual-ring design allows it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to the rapid boiling point.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 unique programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that detects the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now available for less that PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, 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 The hob is built to reduce power consumption by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking preferences. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy, reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed with the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that slide along the edges of the hob, allowing it to follow your pan. The color scheme of the control panel lets you quickly see the status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The hob also comes with an alarm system that will notify you if there's a danger of a burnt-on meal or an igniting fire. There are other safety features, like a residual heat indicator as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist hard marks and stains from cooking. This hob is easy to install and comes with nine power levels and an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are a few bonus features, such as locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on top. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs, and they use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas, and they're easier to clean, which makes them an extremely popular option.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed with 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, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A range of automatic functions like Push&Go allow you to achieve perfectly cooked dishes at the touch of the button. The controls are simple to use and let you select nine power modes, including a P boost setting that gives maximum power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also easy to operate and feature a modern, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. However, it took some time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob. Our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
Alongside a Dual Zone and Push&Go, website the Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there weren't any visible flames that were messy and messy, and the glass is easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw heat and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via a duct in the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, however it required two people in order to take the filter out.
4. Induction Hob from GE
When choosing a new hob think about how it will fit into your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and lifestyle. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface can make an induction hob an ideal option. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are a good option for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.