How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is crucial.
A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs, also popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are another alternative.
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 one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with a pause function, so you can stop the process without having to mess around with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It's usually made from 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 were easy to use and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil quickly. Safety features such as the hot hob light 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 seven or best ovens and hobs uk ovens and hobs (m-lux.pro) six for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It has a dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal' and 'boost power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat and searing it, or bring water to a fast boil.
It's fully connected via the hOn app and boasts hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 special programmes split into different food categories and preparation styles. It has a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by third party companies and has various security features, including a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
If you're working on your kitchen or simply searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with basic four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth the extra cost.
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 recognises the position of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to activate the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. There are options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob was a hit with testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edges of it. The color scheme of the control panel lets you quickly see the operating status of each zone, while the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The hob also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you in the event of a meal that's been burned or a fire. There are many safety features like a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist tough stains and cooking marks. The hob comes with nine power levels and an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is easy to install. There are a few bonus features such as lockable controls, and a safety fuse to protect against accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They use copper plates to create an electric force when a pan or pot is placed on them. This means they can reach a temperature much quicker than conventional gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too making them an extremely popular choice.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that allow you 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, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring water to a boil. A range of functions that are automatic like Push&Go allow you to cook your food perfectly 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 using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the hob to track the 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 swiftly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. However it took a long time to cool off after we shut off the hob. Our testers found it difficult to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with the bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the oven from working if it gets too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to wipe clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw heat and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. Our experts thought the duct of this hob was simple to clean, even though it required two people to lift the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob by GE
Think about how the hob will fit into your kitchen's layout and design and what your cooking style is. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off or cool to the touch surface may make an induction stove the best ovens choice. If you prioritize speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a clean ceramic glass facia is a great choice. For those who live in areas prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs during power outages could tip the scales in favour of gas models.