How to Choose the best hob uk Hob
There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are another popular choice, and offer great temperature control, however they are more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this stove from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls.
Its design is sleek and contemporary, blending in well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls were simple to operate and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is active. The "Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a brief time. It is perfect for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. The hot hob light and the automatic shutoff are helpful security features, too.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. We found that it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It takes longer to react when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you might have to alter settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.
This model is 60cm long and comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. It comes with a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal as well as 'boost' power levels. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing pots of water to a rapid boil.
It's fully connected through the hOn app and boasts hundreds of recipes that include cooking instructions and 30 different programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation types. It features a multislider controls panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with several safety features like a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
If you're working in your kitchen or seeking a better alternative to gas, induction best hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a little more.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the position of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. There are options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 2 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan along the edges of it. The control panel's color scheme helps you quickly identify the status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' feature 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 hob has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you when there is a risk of a fire or food that has been burned. There are several safety features like a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with the CleanProtect coating that is designed to protect it from tough marks and stains from cooking. This model has nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' to allow for large pans, and is easy to put in. There are also a number of bonus features, including lockable controls 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 make use of copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. They heat up faster than gas hobs and they use less energy because the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too, which makes them a popular option.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans and an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. Push&Go, for example, lets you cook flawlessly with the click of one button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to select nine power modes including the P boost option that gives maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also simple to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and the testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
As well as having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off system which prevents the hob from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our test subjects were pleased with that. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is located on the surface. Our experts thought this hob's duct was easy to clean, though it took two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob from GE
Consider how the hob can work with the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are a good choice if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They come with safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. For those who value efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a glass face that is wipe-clean is ideal. If you live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas best hobs uk during power cuts may tip the scales in favour of gas models.