Choosing the Best Hob
The best hob uk hob for you is determined by the type of worktop you have and the space available. The type of worktop and location of the extractor hood are also important considerations when deciding on the right hob.
If you choose an own-brand model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They're easier to clean and have various safety features, including a red indicator that glows when the surface is heated.
1. Flexibility
If you're looking for a way to cook up a quick midweek meal or perfect your pancake recipe, a flexible hob is crucial. The best hobs give you precise temperature control, with features like dual wok burners and a large cooking area which makes them perfect for a wide range of recipes. They can also be used in a variety of kitchens due to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Additionally, many have the option to add an extractor fan built-in that eliminates the need for a separate overhead appliance and freeing space on your worktop.
Gas hobs can provide instant heating. It's no wonder that they are popular. Gas hobs require regular cleaning to avoid carbon buildup or fires. Additionally, they often take longer to boil water than models that use induction.
Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the surface of the cooker which makes them cleaner to maintain. They can be more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display scratches and fingerprints.
Hybrid hobs integrate gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between both modes based on what you're cooking. They're ideal for those who enjoy flexing their culinary skills but don't have the time or space for a full-on kitchen upgrade.
This electric hob is an excellent example of a model that can be flexed in design and function. Its dual flex zone can be combined to accommodate larger pots and pans and its controls feature an option for locking children that prevents children from changing the settings. It's also designed to connect to a smart hub so that you can manage the features via your smartphone.
Smeg's induction hob is a high-end model that can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. It's packed with features to facilitate cooking faster and more easily, including automatic pan detection and PowerBoost and an alarm clock and an option to pause. It is also very easy to use thanks to touch controls that respond immediately to any changes you make and a sleek modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs use the least amount of energy, whether you're simmering soup or bringing water to the boil. They're also a great option for those who want to cut down on their electric bill. Induction hobs make use of electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from becoming hot. This makes them the most secure choice to avoid burns from accidental accidents. Gas hobs might not be as efficient, but they are cheaper to operate than electric models.
The Miele I Flex induction hob is our top pick. It provides a lot of flexibility due to the 'I Flex zone. It allows you to combine two cooking zones together into one large area, so you can use big saucepans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls prevents children from turning the hob or changing settings. This is a great feature for families with small children. Although the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it's easy to clean with only a simple wipe.
This hob also has the 'Pan detection function' that will shut off power to a particular cooking area when you remove the pan. It's not the only hob that has this feature, but it's an excellent feature to make life easier when you cook a lot for an entire family or group of friends.
This is an intelligent stove that connects to the internet, so you can control it using an app on your smartphone. It will notify you when food is ready so you don't overcook it. It took just four minutes to boil our test pan of water with this model, which is fast for an induction cooktop. It has zones that can be combined with a Stop & go' button which reduces all cooking zones to their lowest setting.
This small induction hob is ideal for camping trips and also for taking to university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we've tested, but it still includes all of our cooking functions and an adjustable slider. It also comes with a built-in "VaryCook" function that lets you to adjust the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down on the surface of your hob. This is ideal for making sauces and caramel.
3. Convenience
When you are choosing a new stove, you'll need to think about how it fits with your kitchen design and what it will add to the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow down your options to help you select the best model for your family and home. It's also worth reading reviews to learn what other users have had to say about the appliance. it will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses better.
Certain hob brands are famous for their innovative technology, which makes them the go-to option for those who wish to control their cooking via their smartphones. For instance, Samsung's models feature electronic timers that let you to determine precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is particularly beneficial for people who have a busy schedule because you can use the timer to make sure that meals are ready at the correct time without having to keep an watch over them.
Gas hobs are an excellent option for those seeking an older-style feel. They are able to cook using a wide variety of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed pans and pans, which may be difficult to place on other types of hob. Plus, gas hobs often provide a range of settings, meaning you can adjust the heat to fit your pan's style or recipe.
Induction hobs are yet another popular option for those looking to modernize their kitchen because they offer faster heat-up times and are more energy efficient than gas models. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are especially popular because they save space by combining the oven hob and hob into one.
A child lock is an additional feature to look out for. It lets you stop the stove's controls and protects children from accidents in the kitchen. This feature is crucial for families with young children as it can prevent burns and other injuries. Many induction hobs also include a feature that permits the linking of two zones, creating an even larger cooking area. This is useful if you use large pans.
4. Safety
A good hob will have several safety features. These will include a hot hob indicator that warns you when the surface is heated and can prevent accidents in the kitchen. Certain hobs feature an option for locking the hob to prevent children from turning the hob on or altering settings. Some hobs feature an option to join two cooking zones to create an additional zone, meaning you can cook a large pan.
This is a great feature for family households and it can ensure that everyone is safe in the kitchen. It works by monitoring the heat 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. This is a fantastic way to keep your home safe and it's something that you should look for when you shop for a new stove.
There are a variety of different kinds of hobs you can pick from which include electric, gas and induction. Gas hobs use an electric flame to heat the pans, while an electric hob features electronic rings that you can control with the touch of one button. There is also the induction hob, which makes use of a magnetic field to heat your pans. It will not start unless you place a magnetizable metal pan on top of it. This is a very efficient type of hob and it cools quickly after the pan has been removed.
This kind of hob can save space as it does not require an extractor fan. You can therefore have a more streamlined kitchen design. It is more expensive than other kinds of hobs, but it's a great option for any family. It is also able to eliminate excess steam and smoke from the kitchen, which will aid in improving the air quality of your home. This is a great option for families as it is easy to clean and shields against burns. When it comes to choosing a cooktop, there are a variety of options to consider. It is important to research them all prior to making your decision.