How to Choose the Best Ovens And Hobs Uk (Muse.Union.Edu) Hob
There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the best hobs hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs, also popular and offer great temperature control, but are more expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this cooker from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around using controls.
Its design is modern and sleek, blending in well with modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has controls that are in the same place as the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls were simple to use and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil quickly. Safety features like the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also useful.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to attain the highest temperature in contrast to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings a few times before you get the proper heat.
This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. It comes with 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 making water come to a quick boiling.
It's fully connected through the hOn app and comes with hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 unique programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel with a "lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third party companies and has various safety features such as a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or looking for a non-gas option. Prices have slashed in the last few years, with basic four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth paying more to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction technology that makes your cooking efficient and easy. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's attention to energy savings does not leave out flexibility too This hob is designed to conserve power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking needs. There are other 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 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges of it. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" feature lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
In addition to this, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you when there is a risk of a fire or food that has been burned. There are other safety features, such as a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.
It also has the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist hard marks and stains from cooking. This hob has nine power levels, the FlexiDuo feature to allow for large pans, and is easy to install. There are a host of extra features, such as lockable controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on top. This means that they can reach temperatures much quicker than conventional gas hobs and can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on a pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas and they are also simpler to clean.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans and an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. A range of automatic functions like Push&Go allow you to create perfectly cooked meals by pressing a button. And nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are simple to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a snap and was quick to heat up when we put an oven in the Booster zone. It took some time to cool down after turning off the hob, and our test subjects were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
Alongside a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It comes with a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room by a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people in order to remove the filter.
4. GE Induction Hob
Think about how the hob will be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style. For instance, if often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features like automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface could make an induction hob the best choice. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the best hobs uk option. If you live in areas prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tip the scales in favour of gas models.