How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs, also well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this cooker from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with a child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process quickly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit flush on the worktop.
The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display that displays the current power level and the zone that is in use. The "Boost" feature creates powerful heat in a short time. It is perfect for stir-frying and quickly heating up pans. The hob's light that is hot and auto shut-off are great safety features, too.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs in this test. We found that it took nine presses of the control to reach the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The dual-ring design allows it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to a rapid boil.
It's fully connected through the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes with cooking instructions and 30 different programs that are divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel that has a lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with several safety features like a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
If you're working in your kitchen, or looking for an alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a bit more.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have a diameter of at least 9 cm and then automatically will activate the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's focus on energy saving doesn't overlook flexibility either This hob is designed to save power by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.
Testers were awed by the hob's user-friendly design, with intuitive sliding controls that slide along the edges of the hob in order to follow the pan. The control panel's colour scheme helps you quickly identify the operational status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
The hob also comes with an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or an igniting fire. There are a variety of safety features, like a residual heat indicator as well as an auto shut-off feature if the surface is too hot.
go to this site 's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough stains and cooking marks. The hob is simple to install and features nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are several bonus features like locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on top. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs and they use less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to get creative in the kitchen. hobs and ovens has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pots and an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to a boiling point quickly. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals at the touch of one button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are also simple to use and have a modern, minimalist design 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. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and the testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
In addition to the Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block, as well as an auto switch-off system that shuts down the hob when it's heated to the point of. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room by a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to lift the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob by General Electric
Think about how the hob can fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as the style of cooking you prefer. Induction hobs are a good choice for cooking with kids or elderly in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. For those who prefer speed and efficiency, an electric stove with a clean ceramic glass facia is a great choice. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas prone to power outages.