How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are essential is vital.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this cooker from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was also among the quickest tested to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has a pause function, so you can stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.
Its style is modern and sleek and blends well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit flush on the worktop.
The controls are simple to use and we liked the clear display that tells you the current power setting, and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and rapidly heating up pans. The hot hob light and the automatic shutoff are helpful security features, too.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs in this test. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, compared with six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you may need to alter settings several times before your pan reaches the right heat.
The model in 60 cm has 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 be operated on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat, searing it or quickly making water come to a quick boiling.
It is fully connected through the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 different programs that are divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set up the proper cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn pans made by third party companies and has several safety features such as a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models are now sold at less than PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology to make cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically will activate the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency but it doesn't forget flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are also options to save even more energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.
Testers were impressed by the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that slide across the edge of the hob to follow your pan. The control panel's color scheme lets you quickly see the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to cater for larger pans. There are hob uk , including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, melting, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
Additionally the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you if there is any danger of a fire or food that has been burned. There are a variety of safety features, such as an indicator of residual heat and an auto shut-off feature if the surface becomes too hot.
It also resists hard stains and comes with a CleanProtect protective coating. The hob comes with nine power levels as well as the FlexiDuo feature for accommodating large pans and is easy to put in. There are several bonus features like control locks, as well as a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pressing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs, and they use less energy because the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to clean and that's why they're a popular choice.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a rapid booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go lets you achieve perfectly cooked dishes by pressing the button. The controls are easy to operate and let you select nine power modes including a P boost setting which gives the highest power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also easy to use and have modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up after placing a pan on the Booster zone. However it took some time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob. Additionally, our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact 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 stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no flames visible. Our test subjects were pleased with that. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room through a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought the duct of this hob was simple to clean, though it took two people to take the filter to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a kitchen appliance, consider how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and lifestyle. Induction hobs are an excellent option if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. For those who prioritize efficiency and speed, an electric stove with a glass face that is wipe-clean is the best choice. For those living in regions susceptible to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs during power outages may tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.