How to Choose the Best Hob
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is crucial.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs just PS100. However, you will need to pay more for one with numerous features. Gas hobs are a popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this stove from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It has an child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls.
Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit flush on the worktop.
The controls were simple to use and we loved the display that shows the current power level and which zone is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pots of water to a boil fast. The hob's light that is hot and auto shut-off are great safety features, too.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs in this test. We found that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, in contrast to six or seven on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct heat.
This model is 60cm long and comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It features dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal and boost' power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat while searing it or bringing water to a rapid boil.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App and has hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 special programs divided into various food categories and types of cooking. It has a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and Hob and oven can detect the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn cookware from third parties and has various safety features such as a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or looking for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to activate the appropriate zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's focus is on energy savings but it doesn't forget flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are options to save energy by 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 hob and oven impressed testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme 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 a variety of useful features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting, boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
In addition, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you of any risk of a burning or burning food. There are several safety features, including the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface becomes too hot.
It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough stains and cooking marks. This hob is easy to install and comes with nine power levels as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature that allows catering for large pans. There are some additional features like locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pressing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on top. This means that they can reach a temperature more quickly than gas hobs, and also conserve energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too and that's why they're an extremely popular option.
Indesit's induction hob is full of features to help you be creative when cooking. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans and a rapid Booster zone to bring water to a boil quickly. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals at the touch of one button. Nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected with the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to track your pans.
The controls are also easy to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan when we put it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. However it took some time to cool off after we turned off the hob. Additionally, our testers were unable to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also features the bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room by a duct located on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, but it took two people in order to remove the filter.
4. Induction Hob by GE
When selecting a kitchen appliance take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, as well as your cooking style ovens and hobs uk lifestyle. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features like an automatic shut-off or cool to the touch surface may make an induction hob an ideal option. For those who value efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a clean ceramic glass facia is the best choice. Gas hobs are an excellent option for those who live in areas prone to power outages.