How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for one with numerous features. Gas hobs, which are well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are another option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It has a child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically 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 intuitive to operate and we loved the clear display which tells you the current power settings, and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob and automatic shutoff are beneficial.
It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, in comparison to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings several times before you get the proper heat.
The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking, searing meat or bringing pans of water to the rapid boiling point.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App and has hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive multislider interface, as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it will automatically recognize the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn pan sets and has a range of safety features, such as a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or searching for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped in the last few years, with basic four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth paying more to get the latest technology.
This slick-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction tech to keep your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The unique 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 select it manually.
Smeg's focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the highest temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are also options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 2 kW.
Testers were impressed with the hob's user-friendly design that has intuitive controls that move along the edge of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's colour scheme helps you click here quickly identify the operational status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones together to cater for larger pans. There are many useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
Additionally, the hob has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you when there is a danger of a burning or burning food. There are other safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface becomes too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains and features a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob has nine power levels and the FlexiDuo feature for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are a host of extra features, such as locking controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs and they also use less energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to run than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features that will allow you to get creative in the cooking. It has two separate zones which can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a rapid booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you achieve perfectly cooked dishes at the touch of a button. There are nine power modes that include a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are easy to use and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. However it took some time to cool down once we turned off the hob and our testers were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and overheating block as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the appliance from working when it's overheated. Our test participants were impressed that there weren't any visible flames that were messy and messy, and the ceramic glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room by a duct on the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, however it required two people in order 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, as well as your cooking style and lifestyle. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features like automatic shut-off and an icy to the touch surface may make an induction cooker the best option. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the best choice. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.