How to Choose the best oven Hob

There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.

A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to pay more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs and ovens are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're pricier.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and will aid in cooking quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.

Its style is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit on top of the worktop to allow for easy use.

The controls are easy to use, and we appreciated the clear display which tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.

However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs in this test. We found that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you might have to alter settings multiple times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.

This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat and searing it, or bringing water to a rapid boiling.

It is fully connected to the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 special programs that are divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type pan you are using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn pan sets and has a range of safety features, like an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

If you're working in your kitchen, or seeking a better alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. 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 include induction it's worth the extra cost for the most up-to-date technology.

This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with a diameter of at least 9 cm and then automatically activates the appropriate zone.

Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not leave out flexibility too This hob is designed to conserve power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking needs. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.

Testers were awed by this hob's user-friendly interface that has intuitive controls that move across the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's colour scheme helps you quickly identify the status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are numerous useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.

Additionally, the oven hob has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you if there is any danger of a fire or burnt-on food. There are other safety features, such as an indicator of residual heat and an auto shut-off feature if the surface becomes too hot.

It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough marks and stains from cooking. This model has nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is easy to install. There are a host of extra features, including control locks and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on the top. This means they can reach a temperature much quicker than conventional gas hobs. They also save energy as the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are simpler to clean making them a popular option.

Indesit's induction hob is full of features to help you develop your cooking ideas. It has two separate zones that can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring water to a boil. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go lets you achieve perfectly cooked dishes at the touch of the button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the cooktop to follow your pans.

The controls are easy to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. It took some time to cool down after turning off the hob, and our test subjects were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function that allows you to combine 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 hob working when it's too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs; to git.honulla.com, draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this best hob uk was easy to clean, though it took two people to take the filter out and Best Oven Uk change it.

4. Induction Hob from General Electric

When selecting a kitchen appliance take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and lifestyle. Induction hobs are a great option if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. If you're looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal option. For those living in regions prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tip the scales in favour of gas models.