How to Choose the best hob (right here on Myparisblog)
There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob uk hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, which are also well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can assist you in making quick meals. It was also one of the fastest tested to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It comes with a child lock and pause function so you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls were easy to use and we loved the display that shows the current power level and which zone is active. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a brief period of time. It is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil quickly. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot or automatic shutdown are also useful.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to six or seven for other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, meaning you may have to change settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.
The model in 60 cm has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It features a dual-ring design that is able to operate on both normal and boost' power levels. Boost is ideal for frying and searing meat, or bringing pots of water to a rapid boil.
It's fully connected via the hOn app and boasts hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 unique programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and has a range of security features, including a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work in your kitchen, or looking for an alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a little more.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to save more energy by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The control panel's colour scheme helps you quickly identify the operational status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
The hob also has an alarm system that will notify you if there's a danger of a burnt-on meal or the possibility of a fire. There are a variety of safety features like a residual heat sensor ovens and hobs an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. This hob is easy to install and has nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are some additional features like control locks, as well as an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pressing.
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 set on top. They heat up quicker than gas hobs oven, and they use less energy because the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are easier to wipe clean too making them a popular choice.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring the water to a boil. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection with the click of one button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to choose nine power modes including a P boost setting that gives maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are easy to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up once we placed a pan on the Booster zone. It took some time to cool down after turning off the hob, and the testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also features a bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock and overheating block as well as an auto shut-off feature that shuts down the hob when it's too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no visible flames. 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 a duct in the surface. Our experts believed that the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. Induction Hob from General Electric
Consider how the hob will be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design and what your cooking style. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as automatic shut-off and an icy to the touch surface could make an induction cooker the best option. If you prefer speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. If you live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs during power outages may make the difference in favor of gas models.