Best Hob: A Simple Definition

Choosing the Best Hob

The ideal hob for your needs is determined by the type of worktop you are using and the space available. The type of worktop used and the location of the extractor hood are important factors to consider when selecting the best hob.

If you choose an own-brand model, an ordinary gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They're easier to clean and come with various safety features including a red indicator that glows when the surface is heated.

1. Flexibility

If you're looking to whip up a quick midweek meal or perfect your pancake recipe, a movable hob is crucial. The best hobs offer precise heat control, dual wok burners, and an enormous cooking surface. They are perfect for a wide range of recipes. They can also be used in a variety of kitchens thanks to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Additionally, many have the option to add a built-in extractor fan that eliminates the need for an additional overhead appliance, oven and hob freeing up space on your worktop.

Gas hobs can provide instant heat. It's no wonder that they are popular. However, they need regular cleaning to ensure that you don't run the risk of carbon build-up in your hob or a fire bursting. Additionally, they take longer to heat water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the pan itself rather than the cooker surface, so they are generally cleaner to maintain. They are more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display fingerprints and scratches.

Hybrid hobs integrate gas and induction cooking into a single product. You can switch between both modes depending on what you're cooking. They're ideal for those who like to flex their culinary skills but don't have the time or space for a full-on kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is a fantastic example of a model that is flexible in style and functionality. Its dual flex zones can be combined to accommodate larger pans and pots, while its controls have the feature of a child lock that prevents children from changing the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so you can control the features from your smartphone.

Smeg's induction stove is a high-spec model that is connected to your home WiFI network. It's got a lot of features that make cooking more efficient and quicker, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer, and a pause feature. It is also very easy to use thanks to touchscreen controls that react immediately to changes you make, and an elegant, modern design.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs use the least amount of energy, whether you're cooking soup or bringing water to a boiling point. They're also a good option for hob and oven those who want to lower their electricity costs. Induction hobs are the most efficient type employing electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan to ensure that your glass stays cool. This also makes them the most secure choice, preventing accidental burns. While gas hobs aren't as efficient, they can be more affordable to run than electric ones.

The Miele I Flex induction hob is our top pick. It offers a great deal of flexibility because of the 'I Flex zone. It allows you to join two cooking zones to create a larger area so you can use big pots and pans. The child lock on the touch controls stops children from turning the hob or changing settings. This is a fantastic feature for families with children. Although the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it's easy to keep clean with just a wipe.

Another impressive feature of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which switches off the cooking zone's power after you have removed your pan. It's not the only hob with this feature, but it is an excellent addition to simplify your life when you cook for a large family or group of friends.

This is a smart hob that connects to internet, allowing you to manage it through an app on your tablet or smartphone. It will alert you when food is ready so you don't overcook. It took just four minutes to boil our test pan of water using this model, which is a lot for an induction stove. It comes with flexible zones that can be combined, and a Stop & go' button that reduces the cooking zones to the lowest setting.

This small induction hob is perfect for camping trips and also for taking to university. It's the lightest and thinnest hob we tested yet it has 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 on the surface of your hob. This is perfect for making sauces and caramel.

3. Convenience

You should think about how the hob will fit in your kitchen, and what it will contribute to improving your home's functionality. This will help you narrow down your choices so that you can select a model that's ideal for your family and property. It's also worth reading reviews to see what other people have to say about the appliance, since this will help you identify its strengths and weaknesses.

Certain hob brands are famous for their advanced technology, which makes them the go-to option for those who wish to control cooking with their mobile. Samsung's models, for example include electronic timers that allow you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is especially beneficial for those who lead hectic lives, since the timer will ensure that your meals are ready at the time they should be without needing to keep an eye on them.

Gas hobs are also a good choice for those looking for more traditional appearance. They can be used to cook with a wide variety of cookware sizes and styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pots and saucepans on gas stoves. Additionally, gas hobs typically provide a range of settings, so you can alter the heat to suit your pan's style or recipe.

Induction hobs are a popular option for those looking to modernize their kitchen since they have faster heat-up times and are more efficient in energy use than gas models. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are very popular because they save space by mixing the oven with hob and hob in one unit.

A child lock is an additional option to look for. It lets you stop the stove's controls and shields children from accidents in the kitchen. This feature is crucial for families with young children, as it will help prevent burns and other injuries. Additionally some induction hobs come with a function that lets you link two zones together to make a larger cooking area that can be beneficial if you're using large pans.

4. Safety

A good hob has a number safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the hob is hot. This can help prevent accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs have an option for locking the hob to prevent children from turning the hob on or altering the settings. Some may have a feature that allows you to merge two cooking zones into one larger zone to allow you to cook a larger size pan.

This is a fantastic feature for families and will ensure that everyone in the kitchen is secure. It monitors the temperature of the cooktop and if it senses that the pan isn't positioned correctly or there's a fire it will shut down the burner instantly. It's a great way to ensure your home is safe, and you should consider it when shopping.

There are a number of different types of hobs you can choose from which include electric, gas and induction. Gas hobs make use of a flame for heating your pans. Electric hobs feature electronic rings that can be controlled by pressing the button. There is also the induction hob, which makes use of an electric field to heat your pans. It will not start unless you place a magnetizable pan on it. It is a very efficient hob and it will cool down quickly once the pan has been removed.

This kind of hob is able to save space since it doesn't require an extractor fan. You can therefore have the kitchen with a sleeker design. It's more expensive than other types of hobs but it's an excellent choice for any family. It is also able to remove excess steam and smoke from the kitchen, which can help improve the air quality of your home. This is an excellent choice for families, as it is easy to clean and guards against burns. There are many different options to consider when selecting the right hob, so make sure you take the time to research every one before making your choice.