How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is essential.
A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are a popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones with three 'Push&Go" functions, and can assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an pause feature, meaning you can stop the process without having to faff around using controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. hob and oven 's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features control buttons that sit flush with the worktop for easy use.
The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display which shows the current power level and the zone that is currently in use. The 'Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a short time. It's ideal for stir-frying and quickly heating up pans. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shut-off are also beneficial.
It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react when you change the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings multiple times to get the right temperature.
The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It has dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal as well as 'boost' power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat, searing it or quickly making water come to a quick boiling.
It's fully connected via the hOn app and comes with hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 special programs divided into different food categories and preparation styles. It comes with a multislider control panel with a "lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by 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 renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost to get the latest technology.
This slick-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking efficient and easy. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with an overall diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically will activate the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency doesn't overlook flexibility either This hob is designed to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking preferences. There are options to save even more energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 4 kW.
Testers were awed by this hob's user-friendly interface that has intuitive controls that slide along the edges of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's colour scheme helps you quickly identify the status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
Additionally the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you of any danger of a fire or food that has been burned. There are a variety of safety features, including the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. The hob comes with nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' to allow for large pans, and is easy to put in. There are several bonus features, such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is set on top. This means they can heat up much quicker than conventional gas hobs and 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 less difficult to clean.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pans as well as an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to the boil quickly. The Push&Go feature, for instance, allows you to cook with perfection at the touch one button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are also easy to use and have modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up once we placed an oven in the Booster zone. However it took an extended time to cool off after we shut off the hob. Our testers found it difficult to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
In addition to the Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It comes with a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic shut-off mechanism that stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our testers liked the fact that it's. 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. Our experts thought this hob's duct was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob by GE
Consider how the stove will work with your kitchen's layout and design and what your cooking style. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off feature and a cool to the touch surface can make an induction hob an ideal choice. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the best choice. Gas hobs are a good alternative for those living in areas prone to power outages.