How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.
A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to spend more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, which are also popular and offer great temperature control, but are expensive, are a different option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was also among the most efficient on test to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to faff around using controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features control buttons that sit flush with the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls were easy to use and we loved the display that shows the current power level as well as which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil fast. Best ovens UK as the hot hob light or automatic shutdown are also useful.
However it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react to changes in temperature. You may have to adjust the settings multiple times to get the right temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It features a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal' and 'boost power levels. It is great for cooking meat and searing it, or making water come to a quick boiling.
It is fully connected through the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 unique programs divided into various food categories and types of cooking. It has an intuitive multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. Additionally, it is able to automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
If you're working 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. The basic four-zone models are now sold for less that PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth the extra cost for the latest innovations.
This sleek model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with a diameter of at least 9 cm and automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's focus is on energy savings but it doesn't forget flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the highest temperatures of the zones. There are also options to save even more energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.
Testers were awed by this hob's user-friendly interface, with intuitive sliding controls that move across the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme allows you to easily identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi duo" feature lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, such as four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
The hob also has an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a meal that's been burned or an igniting fire. There are several safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot.
It also has the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist hard stains and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' to accommodate large pans and is easy to install. There are also a variety of bonus features, including control locks and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. They are able to heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too and that's why they're a popular choice.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features that will allow you to develop your cooking ideas. It has two separate zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection with the click of the button. And nine power modes including a 'P-boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to follow your pans.
The controls are simple to use, 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 pasta water that was boiling. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and the testers were unable to determine 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 and an overheating block and an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's overheated. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no flames visible. Our test subjects were pleased with the fact that it's. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room via a duct on the surface. Our experts believed that this hob's duct was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to lift the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob from GE
Consider how the hob will work with your kitchen's layout and design, as well as the style of cooking you prefer. Induction hobs are a good choice for cooking with children or the elderly in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. If you prioritize speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is a great choice. Gas hobs are an excellent option for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.