Choosing the Best Hob

The best hob for you is determined by the type of worktop you are using and the space available. Choosing the right type of hob involves considering the type of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.

A basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100 if you opt for an original brand. They're easier to clean and come with various safety features like an indicator in red that lights when the surface is heated.

1. Flexibility

Whether you're looking to cook your own quick midweek meal or perfect your pancake recipe, a movable hob is key. The top hobs offer precise heat control with features like dual wok burners and a large cooking area making them ideal for a wide range of recipes. They can also be used in a range of kitchens due to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Plus, many come with the option to add a built-in extractor fan that eliminates the need for a separate overhead appliance and freeing up space on your worktop.

Gas hobs are able to provide instant heat. It's no wonder that they are so popular. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning in order to prevent carbon build-up and fires. Plus, they can often take longer to boil water than models that use induction.

Induction hobs heat the pan itself instead of the cooktop surface, so they are generally cleaner to maintain. They can be more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show scratches and fingerprints.

Hybrid hobs bring the benefits of gas and induction cooking into one product, allowing you to switch between the two depending on the kind of food you're cooking. They are great for those who like to flex their culinary skills but don't have the space or time for a full-on kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is an excellent model that allows for flexibility in style and function. Its dual flex zone can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots, while its controls have a child lock feature which prevents children from altering the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub, so you can control the features using your smartphone.

Smeg's induction stove is a high-end model that is connected to your WiFI network. It's packed with features that facilitate cooking faster and more easily such as automatic pan detection and PowerBoost as well as the ability to set a timer as well as the ability to pause. It's also incredibly simple to use and has touch controls that react immediately to changes in the recipe and a sleek design that could be perfect for the modern kitchen.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs are those that consume the minimal amount of energy whether you're boiling water or simmering soup. They're also an excellent choice for those who wish to cut down on their electric bill. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to heat the pan directly, preventing the glass from becoming hot. Induction hobs are a safer choice, as they prevent accidental burns. Gas hobs may not be as efficient but they are less expensive than electric models.

Our top pick is the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, comes with plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'I-Flex' zone which lets you merge two cooking zones into one space, allowing you to cook with large pans and pots. The controls on the touch screen have an infant lock, to ensure that children cannot turn off the appliance or alter settings it is a useful option for households with young kids. And although the ceramic glass has a matte finish it's easy to clean using just a wipe.

This hob also has the 'Pan detection function' that will shut off the power to a specific cooking zone when you take off the pan. This isn't the only hob with this feature however it's an excellent addition that makes your life easier when you cook a lot of meals for your family or group of friends.

This is an intelligent stove that connects to the internet, so you can control it using an app that you can download on your smartphone. It can alert you when food is ready to cook so you don't overcook it. This model was able to boil our test pan of hot water in only four minutes, which is extremely quick for an Induction stove. It comes with flexible zones that you can mix with a Stop & go' button that reduces the cooking zones to the lowest setting.

This compact induction cooker is ideal for camping and also for taking to university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob we tested however it still comes with a full set of cooking options and an intuitive touch slider. It also has an integrated "VaryCook" function that lets you to control the temperature of your pan by dragging it up and down the hob surface. This is great for making sauces and caramel.

3. Convenience

You'll want to consider how the stove will fit into your kitchen and what it can do to improve the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow down the options to help you select a model that's ideal for your family and property. You should also read reviews to find out what other people's opinions are about the appliance. This will help you better understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Certain brands of hobs come with advanced technology that makes them the top choice for those who wish to control their cooking through their smartphone. For example Samsung's models come with electronic timers that let you to set precise cooking times and stop overcooking. This is especially beneficial for people with busy lives, as the timer will ensure that your meals are ready when they should be without having to constantly monitor them.

Gas hobs are also an ideal option for those seeking a more traditional feel. They are able to cook using a wide variety of cookware sizes and styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed cookware and saucepans on gas hobs. Gas hobs are often equipped with a variety of settings so that you can adjust the temperature to fit the recipe you are cooking.

Induction hobs are yet another popular choice for those who want to modernize their kitchen, as they provide quicker heating times and are more energy efficient than gas models. This is especially the case with induction hobs that have a built-in oven and hob, as they can reduce space in your kitchen by offering an oven hob and a hob uk in one unit.

Another feature to look for is a child lock, that allows you to shut off the controls on a hob and shield children from accidents in the kitchen. This is an essential feature for those with young children, since it can help to avoid burns and other injuries. Additionally some induction hobs come with a function that lets you connect two zones to create a larger cooking area that can be beneficial in the event that you're using large pots.

4. Safety

A quality hob will include a number of safety features. They will have an indicator for hot hobs that will warn you when the surface is hot and prevent accidents in the kitchen. Certain hobs feature an option for locking the hob to prevent children from turning on the stove or altering settings. Some hobs have the ability to merge two cooking zones into an even larger area, so you can cook a large pan.

This is an excellent feature for families, and can keep everyone in the kitchen safe. It works by monitoring the temperature of the hob. If it determines that the pan hasn't been positioned correctly or if there's an fire on the hob it will shut off the burner. It's a great way to ensure that your home is safe and you should consider it when you are shopping.

There are many different types of hobs that you can choose from, including gas, electric and induction. A gas hob makes use of the use of a flame to heat the pans, while an electric hob has electric rings that you are able to control with the touch of a button. There is also the induction hob, which makes use of a magnetic field to heat your pans and won't turn on unless you place a magnetizable pan on it. This is a highly efficient type of hob and will cool quickly after the pan is removed.

This kind of hob is an ideal space saver since it removes the need for an extractor fan, so you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It is more expensive than other types of hobs but it is a fantastic option for any household. It can be used to eliminate excessive steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can enhance the air quality at home. This is an excellent choice for families since it is easy to clean and guards against burns. There are many different options to consider when choosing a hob, so take the time to study each one prior to making your decision.