Choosing the Best Hob
Choosing the best hob depends on your cooking preferences and the space you have available. The type of worktop and location of the extractor hood are also important aspects to consider when choosing the right hob.
If you choose an own-brand model, an ordinary gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are easier to clean and come with various safety features, including a red indicator which glows when they are hot.
1. Flexibility
A flexible hob will aid you in reaching your goals, whether it's perfecting your pancake recipe or cooking a quick meal for the midweek. The best hobs give you precise temperature control, with features such as dual wok burners and an expansive cooking area making them ideal for a variety of dishes. They can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. Additionally, many have the option to add an integrated extractor fan that eliminates the need for an additional overhead appliance and freeing up space on your worktop.
Gas hobs are able to provide instant heating. It's no wonder they are so popular. But they require regular cleaning to ensure you aren't at risk of carbon build-up in your hob or a fire bursting. They also take longer to heat water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the surface of the cooker, so they are generally cleaner to maintain. They are more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display scratches and fingerprints.
Hybrid hobs blend gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between the two modes depending on what you're cooking. They're great for people who want to expand their culinary skills, but don't have the time or space for a major kitchen upgrade.
This electric hob is a great example of a model which allows for flexibility in style and performance. Its dual flex zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans and its controls come with an option for locking children that stops children from changing the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so you can manage its functions using your smartphone.
Smeg's induction cooktop is a high-spec model that is connected to your Wi-Fi network. It comes with a variety of features that make cooking simpler and faster, such as automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause function. It's also simple to use thanks to touchscreen controls that react immediately to changes you make and sleek, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The most efficient hobs consume as little energy as possible regardless of whether you're simmering soup or bringing water up to boil. They're also a good option for those looking to reduce their electricity bills. Induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan which prevents the glass from getting hot. This also makes them the most secure choice and prevents accidental burns. Gas hobs aren't as efficient, but they are cheaper to operate than electric models.
The Miele I Flex induction hob is our top choice. It offers a great deal of flexibility, due to the 'I Flex zone. This allows you to join two cooking zones together into one big area so you can use big pots and pans. Its touch controls come with an option for children to lock the controls to ensure that children cannot switch off the stove or alter the settings it is a useful feature for families with small children. And although the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it is easy to clean using only a simple wipe.
The hob also comes with a 'Pan detection function' that will shut off power to a particular cooking area when you remove the pan. It's not the only hob with this feature, but it's an excellent addition to make life easier for those who cook a lot for a large family or group of friends.
This is a smart kitchen appliance, which connects to the internet, allowing you to control it via an app on your tablet or smartphone. It can alert you when food is ready to cook so you don't overcook. This model was able to boil our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is very rapid for an induction hob. It has flexible cooking zones that you can mix and the "Stop & Go button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting, making it easy to turn off.
This portable induction hob has a slim design that's ideal for camping or taking to university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we tested yet it has an extensive set of cooking functions as well as a touch-sensitive slider. It also has a built-in 'VaryCook' function that lets you alter the temperature by moving the pan upwards and downwards on the hob's surface, which is ideal for making sauces or caramel.
3. Convenience
You'll need to think about how the hob will fit in your kitchen and what it can contribute to improving the efficiency of your home. This will help you narrow down the options so that you can select the best model for your family and property. It's important to read reviews to see what other people have thought about the appliance. this can help you to identify its strengths and weaknesses better.
Some hob brands are renowned for their advanced technology, making them the top choice for those who prefer to control cooking with their smartphones. For example Samsung's models come with electronic timers that allow you to set precise cooking times and avoid overcooking. This is particularly useful for people who have hectic lives, since the timer will ensure that your meals are cooked at the time they should be without having to constantly monitor them.
Gas hobs are also a good option for those looking for a traditional feel, as they can be used with a range of cookware sizes and styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pots and saucepans on gas stoves. Additionally, gas hobs typically have a variety of settings, which means you can alter the heat to suit your recipe or pan type.
Induction hobs, which are more energy-efficient than gas models and offer quicker heat-up times and are a popular choice among those who are looking to modernize a kitchen. This is especially the case with induction hobs that have an oven built-in, as they can reduce space in your kitchen by providing you with a combined oven and hob in one unit.
A child lock is an additional option to look for. It allows you to disable the controls on a stove and shields children from accidents in the kitchen. This is a particularly important feature for families with young children, since it can aid in avoiding burns and other injuries. Additionally, many induction hobs have a function that lets you connect two zones to create a larger cooking area, which can be useful when you're cooking with large pans.
4. Safety
A high-quality hob comes with several safety features. They will have a hot hob indicator that warns you when the surface is extremely hot and will stop kitchen accidents. Some hobs come with a child lock to prevent children from turning the hob on or altering settings. Some may have a feature that lets you combine two cooking zones into a single zone so that you can cook a larger size pan.
This is an excellent feature for families and can ensure that everyone is safe in the kitchen. It works by observing the temperature of the hob. If it determines that the pan has not been placed correctly or if there's an fire on the hob it will shut off the burner. It's a great method to ensure your home is safe and it's something you should think about when you are shopping.
You can pick between gas, electric, and induction hobs. Gas hobs use an electric flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs come with electronic rings that can be controlled by pressing the button. There is also the induction hob that uses an electric field to heat your pans and won't turn on unless you place a magnetizable metal pan on top of it. This is a highly efficient hob and it cools quickly when the pan has been removed.
This type of hob is an efficient space-saver since it eliminates the need for an extractor fan, which means you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It is more expensive than other types of hobs but it is a fantastic option for any household. It can be used to get rid of the excess steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality in your home. This is an excellent option for families because it protects against burns and is very easy to clean. There are a number of options to consider when choosing the right hob, so make sure you take the time to study every one before making your choice.