How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this hob from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the fastest tests to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around using controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and blends well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit directly on the worktop.
The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display that informs the current power setting, and which of the five zones is active. The "Boost" feature creates powerful heat in a short time. It is perfect for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. The hob's light that is hot and auto shut-off are great security features, too.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We found that it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, in contrast to six or seven on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond to changes in temperature. You may have to adjust the settings multiple times before you get the proper temperature.
The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing pots of water to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully integrated with the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of security features, including the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found 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-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have dimensions of at least 9 cm and automatically will activate the appropriate zone.
Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility The hob is built to save power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking requirements. There are also options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, with its simple sliding controls that follow your pan along the edges of it. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" function allows you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
oven Ovens And Hobs has a FlameSensor which will alert you if there's a danger of a burnt-on meal or an igniting fire. There are a variety of safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic switch-off when the surface becomes too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. This model has nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is simple to set up. There are also a number of additional features, including lockable 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. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs, and they use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to allow you to develop your cooking ideas. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals by pressing a button. Nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected using the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is 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 a long time to cool down once it was turned off from the hob. Our testers found it difficult to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It also has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the oven from working if it gets too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there were no messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to wipe clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw heat and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, however it required two people in order to take the filter out.
4. Induction Hob from General Electric
When selecting a kitchen appliance, consider how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, and also your cooking style and life. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off feature and a cool to the touch surface could make an induction hob an ideal choice. If you value efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a clean ceramic glass facia is the best choice. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas susceptible to power outages.