How to Choose the best ovens and hobs uk Hob
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.
A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to spend more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs; read review, are also a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're also more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this cooker from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It has an child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is sleek and modern, blending in well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features control buttons that sit in the same place as the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls are simple 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 generates high-powered heat in a short time. It's ideal for stir-frying and rapidly heating up pans. Safety features like the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are useful.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, compared with six or seven on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react when you change the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings multiple times to get the right heat.
This 60 cm model has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. Dual-ring design permits it to be operated with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat and searing it, or bringing water to a rapid boiling.
It's fully connected through the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programs divided into different food categories and preparation styles. It features a simple multislider interface as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety of safety features, like the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction best hob
If you're working in your kitchen, or seeking a better alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth the extra cost.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the location of pots with minimum diameters of 9 cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save energy based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are also options to save even more energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW.
Testers were awed by this hob's user-friendly interface, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edges of the hob in order to follow the pan. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function allows the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
The hob also has a FlameSensor which will alert you in the event of a meal that's been burned or the possibility of a fire. There are other safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.
It also resists tough stains and features a CleanProtect protective coating. This model has nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are several bonus features such as locking controls and an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on top. This means they can heat up more quickly than gas hobs, and also save energy as the cooking area only heats up when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are simpler to clean making them a popular option.
The induction hob and oven made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate zones which 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 lets you achieve perfectly cooked dishes by pressing the button. Nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are easy to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up after placing a pan on the Booster zone. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and the testers could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the oven uk from working when it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to wipe clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. Our experts thought that the duct of this hob was simple to clean, even though it took two people to lift the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by General Electric
Consider how the hob can fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are a great choice for cooking with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. If you live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs during power outages may make the difference in favor of a gas model.