How to Choose the best ovens and hobs uk Hob
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs as little as PS100. However you'll have to pay more for one with many features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions and can assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the fastest on test to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to fiddle around with controls.
Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit directly on the worktop.
The controls are intuitive to use, and we appreciated the clear display which tells you the current power setting, and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short period of time. It is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil quickly. Safety features like the light on the hot hob and automatic shutoff are 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 attain the highest temperature as opposed to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the cooking temperature, meaning you may have to change settings several times before the pan reaches the right heat.
This 60 cm model has four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. It has dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal' and 'boost' power levels. It is great for cooking meat while searing it or bringing water to a rapid boiling.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 different programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. In addition, it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of safety features, such as an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen or looking for an alternative to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth the extra cost for the latest innovations.
This slick-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction tech to keep your cooking efficient and Hobs and ovens easy. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with an overall diameter of at least 9cm and automatically activates the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to reduce energy consumption by reducing power output to as little as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to determine the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
The hob also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you in the event of a burnt-on meal or an igniting fire. There are also several safety features, such as a residual heat indicator as well as an auto shut-off feature if the surface becomes too hot.
It also resists tough stains and features a CleanProtect protective coating. This model has nine power levels, the FlexiDuo feature to accommodate large pans and is simple to set up. There are also a number of bonus features, such as control locks and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They utilize copper plates to generate an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They are able to heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they use less energy because the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go let you cook your food perfectly with the click of the button. And nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected using the controls, which move across the bottom of the cooktop to follow your pans.
The controls are also simple to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our test subjects were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It also has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic shut-off mechanism that stops the hob from working when it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by that. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room via an air duct that is built into the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. Induction Hob from GE
Consider how the stove will fit into your kitchen's layout and design and what your cooking style is. Induction hobs and ovens are an excellent choice for cooking with kids or elderly in mind. They have safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. If you prefer speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a clean ceramic glass facia is the best ovens uk choice. Gas hobs are a great alternative for those living in areas susceptible to power outages.