How to Choose the best hobs Hob
There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs as little as PS100. However you'll need to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs 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 hob from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the quickest on test to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It has a child lock and the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek and contemporary, blending in well with contemporary kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has control buttons that sit on top of the worktop to allow for easy use.
The controls were simple to use, and we liked the display which shows the current power level and the zone that is in use. The "Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a brief time. It is perfect to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. The hot hob light and auto shut-off are great safety features, too.
However it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to seven or six for other models. It takes longer to react when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you may need to alter settings several times before the pan reaches the right heat.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It comes with a dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal' and 'boost power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 different programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive multislider interface as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn pan sets and has a range of security features, including a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free option. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models costing less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth the extra cost for the most up-to-date technology.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots with an overall diameter of at least 9 cm and automatically activates the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's focus is on energy savings, but it doesn't ignore flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are other options to save energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 2 kW.
Testers were awed by the user-friendly interface of this hob that has intuitive controls that slide across the edge of the hob to follow the pan. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function allows the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
In addition to this the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you if there is any danger of a fire or food that has been burned. There are a variety of safety features, such as an indicator of residual heat and an auto switch-off if the surface becomes too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. This model has nine power levels and an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is easy to put in. There are a few bonus features, such as locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against 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 electric field when a pan is placed on top. They heat up faster than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy since the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive than gas, and they're easier to wipe clean too, which makes them an extremely popular choice.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as an instant booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook perfectly at the touch a button. The controls are simple to use and allow you to select nine power modes including a P boost setting that gives maximum power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also easy to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. However, it took some time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob. Our testers were unable to pinpoint 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 also has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. Our experts believed that this hob's duct was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the stove will be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs oven are an excellent choice if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They have safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the best choice. Gas hobs oven are a great alternative for those living in areas prone to power outages.