How to Choose the Best Hob
When choosing the best hob to buy there are a lot of aspects to take into account. From cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.
A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as little as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.
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 one of the most efficient tests to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It has a child lock and pause function so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls.
Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for modern 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.
ovens were simple to use and we loved the display that shows the current power level as well as which zone is in use. The "Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also useful.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings a few times to get the right temperature.
The model in 60 cm has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It features a dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal' and 'boost' power levels. Boost is ideal for frying meat, searing it or bringing water pans to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected through the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 different programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third parties and has various security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with basic four-zone models starting at less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that include induction, it's worth paying extra to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's focus is on energy savings but it doesn't forget the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, with its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded design allows you to easily identify the status of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" function lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting, boiling slow cooking, 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 other safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an auto switch-off if the surface is too hot.
It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a protective coating of CleanProtect. This hob has nine power levels as well as the FlexiDuo feature to accommodate large pans and is easy to install. There are a few bonus features like lockable controls, and a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on the top. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs and they also consume less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pans as well as an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. The Push&Go feature, for instance, lets you cook flawlessly at the touch one button. There are nine power modes that include a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are also easy to use and have an elegant, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan when we put it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. However it took an extended time to cool down once we shut off the hob. Additionally, our test participants were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and an 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 were no messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room via a duct located on the surface. Our experts believed that the duct of this hob was simple to clean, though it took two people to take the filter to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the hob will fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as an automatic shut-off feature and an icy to the touch surface may make an induction stove the best choice. For those who value speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal option. ovens and hobs uk are a good alternative for those living in areas prone to power outages.