How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is essential.
A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to spend more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're also pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this hob from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was also among the fastest tests to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It has an child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek and modern, blending in well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit flush on the worktop.
The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display that informs you the current power settings and which of the five zones are active. The "Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a short time. It's ideal to stir fry and speedily heating up pans. Safety features such as the hot hob light or automatic shutdown are also useful.
However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, meaning you may have to change settings several times before your pan reaches the right heat.
This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It comes with a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal as well as 'boost power levels. The Boost model is great for frying, searing meat or bringing water pans to a rapid boiling point.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes, with cooking instructions and 30 different programmes split into different food categories and preparation types. It has a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn pans from third parties and has various safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work in your kitchen, or searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have plummeted over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models costing less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that come with induction, it's worth paying extra for the latest innovations.
This sleek model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking efficient and easy. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's main focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. There are other 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 4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The control panel's color scheme allows you to quickly determine the status of each zone, while the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automated cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
The hob also has an alarm system that will notify you if there's a danger of a food item being burned or the possibility of a fire. There are several safety features, including a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough stains and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels and the FlexiDuo feature to allow for large pans, and is easy to install. There are some additional features like lockable controls, and a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to create magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means that they can reach a temperature more quickly than gas hobs. They also save energy as the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than get more info gas and are simpler to clean and that's why they're an extremely popular option.
Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features that will allow you to be creative when cooking. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring the water to a boil. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go let you cook your food perfectly by pressing a button. And nine power modes that include a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected using the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are simple to use and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up when we put an oven on the Booster zone. However it took an extended time to cool off after we shut off the hob. Additionally, our test participants were unable to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
Alongside having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to suit 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 there are no visible flames. Our testers liked that. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room by a duct located on the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people in order to remove the filter.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a hob, consider how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, in addition to your cooking style and lifestyle. Induction hobs are a good choice for cooking with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. If you prioritize efficiency and speed, an electric stove with a clean ceramic glass facia is ideal. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.