How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob for your needs there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs as little as PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs, which are well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an pause feature, meaning you can stop the process without having to mess around using controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest flush on the worktop.
The controls were easy to operate and we loved the display which shows the current power level and the zone that is active. The 'Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a short time. It's ideal for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. The hob's light that is hot and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.
It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, compared with six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, so you may have to change settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing pans of water to a rapid boil.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 special programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn cookware from third party companies and has a number of safety features like a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work in your kitchen, or looking for an alternative to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth paying more for the most up-to-date technology.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction tech to keep your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots with dimensions of at least 9cm and then automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest operating temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker was a hit with testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to determine the state of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
In addition to this the hob also has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you of any risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are several safety features, including a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot.
It also resists tough stains and features an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. This hob is easy to set up and features nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering to large pans. There are a host of extra features, including lockable controls and an emergency fuse in the event of 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 generate an electric force when a pan or pot is placed on them. This means they can heat up much quicker than conventional gas hobs, and also conserve energy since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features to allow you to get creative in the cooking. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring water to a boil. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you cook your food perfectly at the touch of one button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to choose nine power modes, including a P boost setting which gives the highest power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. It took a while for it to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our test subjects were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no visible flames. Our testers liked that. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room through a duct on the surface. Our experts more info thought the duct of this hob was simple to clean, though it took two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the hob can work with your kitchen's layout and design and the style of cooking you prefer. Induction hobs are an excellent choice for cooking with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. If you prefer efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.