This Week's Best Stories About Best Hob
How to Choose the Best Hob
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is crucial.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs just PS100. However Best ovens 'll have to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs are another popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also pricier.
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 also one of the most efficient tests to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with controls that are flush with the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls are simple to use and we liked the clear display that informs you the current power setting, and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a short period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil quickly. The hob's light that is hot and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.
It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to attain the highest temperature in contrast to six or seven on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings a few times to get the right heat.
This 60 cm model comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying, searing meat or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point.
It's fully connected via the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 unique programmes split into different food categories and preparation types. It features a multislider controls panel with a "lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with various security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or searching for a non-gas option. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with basic four-zone models costing less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost for the latest innovations.
This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility The hob is built to conserve power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking needs. There are options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, with its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The color scheme of the control panel allows you to quickly determine the operating status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are many useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The oven also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you if there's a danger of a burnt-on meal or a fire. There are also several safety features, like an indicator of residual heat and an auto shut-off feature if the surface is too hot.
It also has an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard stains and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels as well as an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are some additional features, such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to prevent accidental button pressing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on top. This means that they can heat up faster than gas hobs, and also conserve energy since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas and they are also simpler to clean.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans as well as the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boil quickly. The Push&Go feature, for instance, allows you to cook perfectly at the touch a button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to select nine power modes, including the P boost option that provides maximum power for 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 cooked pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up when we put an oven on the Booster zone. However it took a long time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob and our test participants were unable to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
In addition to having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It comes with a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the oven from operating when it becomes too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room via a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought the duct of this hob was simple to keep clean, although it took two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a hob, consider how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and your lifestyle. Induction hobs are a good option if you cook 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 speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas prone to power outages.