How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are essential is vital.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to pay more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are also a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones and three "Push&Go" functions and can assist you in making quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with an child lock and pause function so you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls were easy to operate and we loved the display that displays the current power level as well as which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to the boil quickly. Safety features like the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. We found that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you might have to alter settings multiple times before your pan reaches the right heat.
This model is 60cm long and comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing water pans to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected to the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn cookware from third party companies and has a number of safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work in your kitchen, or seeking a better alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with basic four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9 cm, allowing you to activate the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's attention to energy savings does not leave out flexibility too The hob is built to conserve power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking needs. There are other options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, with its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges of it. The control panel's colour scheme allows you to quickly determine the status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking presets (melting, boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
The hob also has an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a meal that's been burned or an igniting fire. There are other safety features, like an indicator of residual heat and an auto switch-off if the surface gets too hot.
It also has 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 an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are several bonus features such as locking controls and a safety fuse to prevent accidental button pressing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to create an electric force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They heat up faster than gas hobs and they also consume less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too and that's why they're an extremely popular choice.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to a boil quickly. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook perfectly by pressing the button. There are nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are easy to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. However it took an extended time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob and our testers were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also features a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock and overheating block as well as an auto shut-off feature that shuts down the hob when it's overheated. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers liked that. Best ovens to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to lift the filter out and change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a hob think about how it will fit to your kitchen's style and layout, and also your cooking style and lifestyle. Induction hobs are a great choice if you cook with kids or elderly in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. If you value speed and efficiency, an electric stove with a clean ceramic glass facia is the best choice. Gas hobs are a good choice for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.