How to Choose the Best Hob
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs less than PS100. However you'll need to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs, also popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones and three "Push&Go" functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with a pause function, so you can stop the process without having to fiddle around with controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and blends well with modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit on top of the worktop to allow for ease of use.
The controls were simple to use and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level and the zone that is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a brief duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil quickly. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot or automatic shut-off are also useful.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs in this test. We found that it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, in contrast to six or seven on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings multiple times to achieve the correct heat.
The model in 60 cm includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It comes with a dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal as well as 'boost power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat, searing it or quickly making water come to a quick boiling.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programmes split into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. In addition, it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of safety features, like an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have slashed dramatically over the past few years. The basic four-zone models are now sold for less that PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it's worth paying a little more.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the location of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's attention to energy savings doesn't overlook flexibility either - this hob is designed to conserve power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to reduce energy consumption by reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob was a hit with testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan along the edges of it. The control panel's color scheme allows you to quickly determine the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking presets (melting, boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
The oven also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you when there's a risk of a food item being burned or the possibility of a fire. There are several safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has a CleanProtect protective coating. this site comes with nine power levels as well as a 'FlexiDuo feature' for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are some additional features like control locks, as well as a safety fuse to prevent accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create an electric field when the pan is set on top. This means that they can heat up more quickly than gas hobs, and also conserve energy since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on a pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as 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 by pressing one button. And nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are also easy to use and have a modern, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up when we put a pan on the Booster zone. It took a while to cool down after turning off the hob, and our testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has the bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block and an auto shut-off feature that shuts down the hob when it's overheated. Our test participants were impressed that there were no visible flames that were messy and messy, and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via 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 from GE
Consider how the hob can work with the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface could make an induction stove a better option. For those who prefer efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is the best choice. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas susceptible to power outages.