How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs as little as PS100. However Read Homepage 'll have to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs are a popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this hob from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was also one of the most efficient tested to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.
Its design is sleek and contemporary and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest flush on the worktop.
The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display that displays the current power level as well as which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a 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 in this test. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, as opposed to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you might have to alter settings multiple times before your pan reaches the right heat.
The model measures 60 cm and comes with 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. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat, searing it or quickly bringing water to a rapid boil.
It's fully connected through the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes with 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 will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with various safety features such as the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work on your kitchen or simply searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found at less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that include induction, it's worth paying extra for the latest innovations.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots with minimum diameters of 9 cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's focus on energy saving doesn't overlook flexibility either The hob is built to conserve power by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet 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 low as 2.4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edges of it. The control panel's color scheme allows you to quickly determine the operational status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting, boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
In addition to this the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you when there is a risk of burning or burning food. There are a variety of safety features, such as a residual heat indicator as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a protective coating of CleanProtect. The hob comes with nine power levels and a 'FlexiDuo feature' for accommodating large pans and is easy to put in. 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
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on the top. This means that they can reach temperatures faster than gas hobs. They also save energy as the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pans and an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to a boil quickly. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you create perfectly cooked meals 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 that provides maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are easy to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up once we placed an oven on the Booster zone. However it took a long time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob. Our testers found it difficult to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function that allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the hob from working if it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people in order to take the filter out.
4. GE Induction Hob
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 often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as an automatic shut-off feature and a cool to the touch surface could make an induction cooker an ideal option. If you prefer speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is a great choice. Gas hobs are a good alternative for those living in areas that are susceptible to power outages.