How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost as little as PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions, and will assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the most efficient on test to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process quickly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is modern and sleek and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display which shows the current power level and which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil fast. The hob's hot light and auto shut-off are great safety features, too.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs we tested in this test. We found that it took nine presses of the control to achieve 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 may have to change settings multiple times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone that two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It comes with a dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal and boost' power levels. It is great for cooking meat and searing it, or bring water to a fast boil.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app and boasts hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 special programmes split into different food categories and preparation types. It has an intuitive multislider interface as well as a lockable' control panel, plus 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 security features, including an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models can be found at less than PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9cm and automatically selects the appropriate zone.
Smeg's focus on energy saving doesn't overlook flexibility either This hob is designed to conserve power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to save more energy, reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, with its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges 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 accommodate larger pots. There are a variety of useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The oven also comes with an alarm system that will notify you if there's a danger of a food item being burned or an igniting fire. There are a variety of safety features such as the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. This hob has nine power levels as well as the FlexiDuo feature to accommodate large pans and is simple to set up. There are also a number of extra features, including control locks and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They make use of copper plates to generate magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They are able to heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they also use less energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features that will allow you to be creative when cooking. 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 the water to a boil. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection at the touch the button. The controls are simple to use and let you select nine power options, including the P boost option which gives the highest power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to use and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up once we placed an oven on the Booster zone. However it took some time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob. Our testers were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has the bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block, as well as an auto switch-off system that stops the appliance from working when it's heated to the point of. Our testers appreciated the fact that there weren't any visible flames that were messy and messy, and the glass was easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room by a duct on the surface. Our experts thought that the duct on this hob was easy to clean, though it required two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. Induction Hob from General Electric
When selecting a kitchen appliance think about how it will fit to your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and lifestyle. hobs uk are a great choice if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They come with safety features like automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. For those who value efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is ideal. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas prone to power outages.