How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob, there are many factors to take into account. From price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as little as PS100 however, you'll have to spend more for a feature-packed 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 cooker from Haier will allow you to cook 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 an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to mess around with the controls.
Its design is sleek and contemporary it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest flush on the worktop.
The controls were simple to operate and we loved the display that shows the current power level as well as which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pots of water to a boil fast. The hot hob light and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.
It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. We found that it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It takes longer to respond when you change the cooking temperature, so you may need to alter settings several times before the pan is at the right temperature.
The model in 60 cm includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to a rapid boiling point.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 unique programs that are divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by third party companies and has a number of safety features such as a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models can be found at less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more.
This slick-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with minimum diameters of 9 cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy savings, but it doesn't ignore the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to save more energy by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges of it. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automatic cooking presets (melting, boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
The oven also comes with an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or a fire. There are other safety features, such as a residual heat indicator and an auto switch-off if the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. This hob has nine power levels and a 'FlexiDuo feature' for accommodating large pans and is simple to set up. 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
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They use copper plates to generate magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas and they are also simpler to clean.
Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features to help you develop your cooking ideas. It has two separate zones that can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring the water to a boil. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go lets you cook your food perfectly at the touch of the button. And nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected using the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are also easy to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up when we put an oven in the Booster zone. However, it took some time to cool down once we shut off the hob. Additionally, best hob uk were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also features the bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock and overheating block and an auto switch-off system that stops the appliance from working when it's too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no visible flames. Our test subjects were pleased with the fact that it's. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw heat and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct on the surface. Our experts believed that the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to lift the filter out to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the hob will work with your kitchen's layout and design, as well as the style of cooking you prefer. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and an icy to the touch surface could make an induction stove the best option. If you prefer efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is a great choice. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas prone to power outages.