Choosing the Best Hob
The best hob for you depends on the type of worktop you are using and the space available. Choosing the right type of hob involves considering the kind of worktop that you have and the location of your extractor hood.
A basic gas-on-glass stove costs less than PS100 If you select an own-brand model. They are less difficult to clean and come with many safety features, including the red indicator that lights when they are hot.
1. Flexibility
A versatile hob can help you to achieve your goals, whether that's perfecting your pancake recipe or making a quick meal for the midweek. The top hobs have precise temperature control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They're ideal for a variety of recipes. These hobs can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. In addition, many of them come with the option to add an extractor fan built-in, eliminating the need for an overhead appliance, and freeing up space on your worktop.
Gas hobs provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're the most popular option. Gas hobs require regular cleaning to prevent carbon build-up and fires. Plus, they can often take longer to boil water than models that use induction.
Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the surface of the cooker, so they are generally cleaner to maintain. They can be more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show fingerprints and scratches.
Hybrid hobs combine the benefits of gas and induction cooking in one appliance which allows you to switch between the two depending on the kind of food you're cooking. They are perfect for those who want to test their culinary abilities, but aren't looking to make a major investment in their kitchen.
This electric hob is an excellent model that is flexible in style and functionality. Its dual flex zones can be combined to accommodate larger pans and pots, while its controls have a child lock feature that prevents children from changing the settings. Additionally, it can be connected to a smart hub, which allows you to manage its functions from your smartphone.
Smeg's induction hob is a high-spec model that is connected to your home WiFI network. It's loaded with features that facilitate cooking faster and more easily with features like automatic pan detection and PowerBoost, as well as an alarm clock and the ability to pause. It's also easy to use, with control buttons that respond instantly to changes you make and an elegant modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs are those that consume the most energy, whether you're boiling water or simmering soup. This makes them ideal for those who want to cut their electric bills. Induction hobs make use of electromagnetic fields to heat the pan directly which prevents the glass from becoming hot. Induction hobs are the most secure option, since they avoid accidental burns. While gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be more affordable to run than electric models.
The Miele I-Flex induction stove is our top pick. It offers a great deal of flexibility, because of the 'I Flex zone. This allows you to merge two cooking zones into one large area, which allows you to use large pots and saucepans. The child lock on the touch controls prevents children from turning the hob or changing settings. This is an excellent feature for families with small children. And although the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it is easy to clean using just a little wipe.
Another great aspect of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which switches off the heating zone when you remove your pan. It's not the only one with this feature however it's an excellent addition that makes your life easier when you cook lots of meals for a family or a group of friends.
This is a smart stove that connects to the internet so that you can control it with an app on your phone. It will notify you when food is ready so you don't overcook. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is very rapid for an induction hob. It has cooking zones that are flexible that you can mix and an 'Stop & Go button that reduces all the cooking zones to the lowest setting, making it easy to turn off.
This small induction hob is perfect for camping trips and also for taking to university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob we've tested yet it has the full range of cooking functions and a responsive touch slider. It also comes with an integrated 'VaryCook' feature, which allows you to vary the temperature by moving your pan up and down the surface of the hob. This is perfect for making caramel sauces or sauces.
3. Convenience
You'll want to consider how the stove will fit into your kitchen and what it can do to improve the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow down your options and pick the one that is best for your family, you and your home. You should also look through reviews to see what other people's opinions are about the appliance. This can aid in understanding its strengths and weakness.
Certain hob brands are famous for their advanced technology, which makes them the top choice for those who wish to control their cooking via their mobile. For example Samsung's models come with electronic timers that allow you to determine precise cooking times and stop overcooking. This is especially useful for people with hectic lives, since the timer will ensure that your meals are ready when they should be without needing to keep an eye on them.
Gas hobs are also an excellent option for those seeking more traditional appearance. They can be used to cook using a wide range of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed pots and pans that can be difficult to accommodate on other hobs. Plus, gas hobs often offer a range of settings, so you can adjust the heat to suit your pan's style or recipe.
Induction hobs, which are more energy-efficient than gas models and provide faster heat-up times, are also popular among those who are looking to modernize a kitchen. This is especially the case with induction hobs that have an oven built in, since they can reduce space in your kitchen by allowing you to have a combined oven and hob in one unit.
Another feature to look for is a child lock, that allows you to shut off the controls on a stove and shield children from accidents in the kitchen. This is an essential feature for families with young children, since it can assist in avoiding burns and other injuries. Many induction hobs also have a feature that allows the linking of two zones together, resulting in more cooking space. This is useful for large pans.
4. Safety
A high-quality hob will come with a number of safety features. These include an indicator for hot hobs that will warn you when the surface is extremely hot and can prevent accidents in the kitchen. Some hobs also come with a child lock that will keep children from turning the hob on or altering its settings. Certain hobs come with the ability to join two cooking zones to create a larger zone, so you can cook in a larger pan.
This is an excellent feature for families and can keep everyone here in the kitchen secure. It operates by monitoring the temperature of the cooktop and if it senses that the pan isn't positioned correctly or there is a fire it will shut off the burner immediately. It's a great way to ensure your home is safe, and you should consider it when shopping.
There are many different types of hobs you can pick from which include electric, gas and induction. Gas hobs use the use of a flame to heat your pans, while an electric hob comes with electronic rings that you can control by pressing a button. Induction hobs utilize magnets to heat your pans. They won't function until a pan that is magnetizable is placed on them. This is a very efficient hob and will cool quickly when the pan has been removed.
This kind of hob can save space because it does not require an extractor fan. This means you can have the kitchen with a sleeker design. It is more expensive than other types of hobs, however it's a great choice for any family. It can also be used to get rid of excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which can aid in improving the air quality of your home. This is an excellent option for families because it will protect you from burns and is very easy to clean. When choosing a hob there are a variety of options to think about. It is important to research them all before making your decision.