How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100, but you'll need to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, however they are more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this cooker from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with the controls.
Its style is sleek and modern, blending in well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest directly on the worktop.
The controls are intuitive to operate and we loved the clear display that informs the current power setting and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a short time. It's ideal for stir-frying and quickly bringing pans to boil. The hot hob light and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react to changes in temperature. You may need to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct temperature.
The model in 60 cm includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to the rapid boil.
It's fully connected via 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 preparation types. It has a multislider control panel with a "lockable interface' that detects the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a little more.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9cm and automatically activates the appropriate zone.
Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to save more energy by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The color scheme of the control panel helps you quickly identify the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pots. There are a variety of useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The hob also has a FlameSensor that can alert you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or a fire. There are several safety features such as the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface is too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains, and has an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. This model has nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is simple to set up. There are a few bonus features, such as control locks, as well as an emergency fuse to stop accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electric field when a pan is placed on top. This means that they can reach a temperature faster than gas hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too and that's why they're a popular option.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans as well as an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boiling point quickly. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go let you create perfectly cooked meals by pressing one button. Best ovens UK are easy to operate and let you select nine power options, including a P boost setting that gives maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to operate, and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a snap and was quick to heat up after placing an oven on the Booster zone. However, it took an extended time to cool down once we turned off the hob and our test participants were unable to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows the user to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock and overheating block, as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the appliance from working when it's heated to the point of. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames that were messy and messy, and the glass was easy to wipe clean. oven uk , unlike traditional extractors, draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room by a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to clean, though it took two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by General Electric
When selecting a hob take a look at how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and your lifestyle. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface could make an induction stove an ideal option. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the best option. Gas hobs are a great option for those who live in areas prone to power outages.