How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are essential is vital.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost 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 option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this hob from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process quickly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with control buttons that sit in the same place as the worktop for ease of use.
The controls were easy to operate and we loved the display that displays the current power level and the zone that is in use. The 'Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a brief time. It's ideal for stir-frying and rapidly heating up pans. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob and automatic shutoff are useful.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs we tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for 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 is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. Dual-ring design permits it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat and searing it, or bring water to a fast boiling.
It is fully connected to the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 unique programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel with a "lockable interface' that detects the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn pans from third party companies and has several security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or searching for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth the extra cost.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction tech to keep your cooking efficient and easy. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically activates the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's main focus is on energy savings, but it doesn't ignore flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to conserve more energy by reducing power output to as little as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan along the edges of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to determine the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" feature lets you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, including four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
In addition to this the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you when there is a risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are many safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist tough stains and cooking marks. The stove is simple to install and comes with nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are several bonus features such as lockable controls, and an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pressing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to create magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. This means they can heat up more quickly than gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking area only is heated when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are easier to wipe clean too, which makes them an extremely popular choice.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pans and an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to a boil quickly. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook perfectly at the touch the button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to select nine power modes, including the P boost option that gives maximum power to each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also easy to operate and feature a modern, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our Ovens And Hobs tests, it swiftly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. However it took some time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob. Additionally, our testers found it difficult to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and an overheating block as well as an auto shut-off feature that shuts down the hob when it's overheated. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that it's. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room by an air duct that is located on the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, however it required two people in order to take the filter out.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the hob can fit into your kitchen's layout and design as well as what your cooking style is. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off or a cool to the touch surface could make an induction hob an ideal choice. If you prefer speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is a great choice. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.