How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100 However, you’ll need to pay more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs, also popular and offer great temperature control, but are expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three ‘Push&Go’ functions, this stove from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It has an child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process quickly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It’s typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has controls that are in the same place as the worktop for ease of use.
The controls were simple to use and we loved the display which shows the current power level and the zone that is currently in use. The ‘Boost’ feature produces high-powered heat for just a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. The hob’s hot light and the automatic shutoff are helpful security features, too.
However it’s not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. We observed 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 react when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you may have to change settings multiple times before your pan reaches the right heat.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. The dual-ring design allows it to operate on both “normal” and “boost” power levels. It is great for cooking meat while searing it or making water come to a quick boiling.
It is fully connected through the hOn App and has hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 unique programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it is able to automatically detect the type of pan you’re using and set the right cooking mode. It’s also compatible with hOn pans from third parties and has a number of security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you’re doing work in your kitchen, or seeking a better alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it’s worth paying a bit more.
This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg’s main focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn’t ignore the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 2 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan’s edge the edge of it. The control panel’s color scheme helps you quickly identify the operating status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
The hob also has a FlameSensor that can alert you in the event of a meal that’s been burned or an igniting fire. There are a variety of safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It’s also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough staining and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels as well as an ‘FlexiDuo feature’ that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is easy to put in. There are some additional features like control locks, as well as an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pressing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They use copper plates to create an electric force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They heat up faster than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy since the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on the pan. They’re generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too making them a popular choice.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring water to a boil. For instance, ovens And hobs Uk the Push&Go lets you cook flawlessly at the touch one button. And nine power modes that include a ‘P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected with the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are also easy to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that’s perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up once we placed an oven with hob on the Booster zone. 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 uk also features a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the hob from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that it’s. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. Our experts thought this hob’s duct was easy to clean, though it required two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob by General Electric
Consider how the hob will fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as the style of cooking you prefer. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features such as an automatic shut-off or cool to the touch surface may make an induction hob the best option. If you’re looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal option. Gas hobs are an excellent option for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.