How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob to buy, there are many factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to shell out more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, which are also well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove 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 only four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has a pause function, so you can stop the process without having to mess around with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has control buttons that sit on top of the worktop to allow for easy use.
The controls are easy to use, and we appreciated the clear display that tells you the current power setting, and which of the five zones is active. The "Boost" feature creates powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily bringing pans to boil. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot and automatic shutoff are beneficial.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, compared with seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond to changes in temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings several times to achieve the correct 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 pots or pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat, searing it or quickly bring water to a fast boil.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App, and offers hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has a multislider control panel with a "lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety of safety features, such as an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or searching for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth the extra cost for the most up-to-date technology.
This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not leave out flexibility too The hob is built to save power by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking needs. There are other options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 kW.
Testers were awed by the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that slide across the edge of the hob to follow the pan. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi duo" feature lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
The oven also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you in the event of a burnt-on meal or a fire. There are other safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard staining and cooking marks. This model has nine power levels as well as the FlexiDuo feature for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are several bonus features, such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, 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 area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are easier to clean and that's why they're a popular option.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring the water to a boil. A range of functions that are automatic like Push&Go allow you to cook your food perfectly by pressing the button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily set using the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are easy to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. However, it took a long time to cool down once we shut off the hob. Additionally, our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger best oven pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no visible flames. Our testers liked the fact that there was no visible flame. In contrast 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. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it required two people in order to remove the filter.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
When selecting a kitchen appliance, consider how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and lifestyle. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as an automatic shut-off feature and cool to the touch surface can make an induction hob an ideal option. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the best alternative. Gas hobs are a great alternative for those living in areas that are susceptible to power outages.