How to Choose the Best Hob

There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.

A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas ovens hobs are also a popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this hob from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs (https://tehnosadov.ru/bitrix/redirect.php?goto=https://www.Ovensandhobs.uk) in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with controls.

Its design is sleek and contemporary it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit in a flush position on the countertop.

The controls were easy to operate and we loved the display which shows the current power level and the zone that is active. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for just a short period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to the boil quickly. The hot hob light and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.

However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs we tested. We found that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings a few times to get the right temperature.

This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat and searing it, or bring water to a fast boil.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes with cooking instructions and 30 different programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation styles. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' that detects the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third parties and has various safety features such as the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

If you're working on your kitchen or simply looking for an alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped in the last few years, with basic four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more.

This sleek model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without needing to select it manually.

Smeg's focus on energy saving does not leave out flexibility too The hob is built to save power by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking preferences. There are options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The control panel's colour scheme helps you quickly identify the operating status of each zone, while the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.

The hob also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you if there's a danger of a food item being burned or an igniting fire. There are other safety features, such as a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.

It is also resistant to tough stains and features a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob has nine power levels, the FlexiDuo feature to allow for large pans, and is easy to install. There are several bonus features, such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to protect against accidental pressing of buttons.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electric field when a pan is placed on top. This means they can reach temperatures more quickly than gas hobs. They can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on a pan. They are generally less expensive to operate than gas and they are also simpler to clean.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a rapid booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go lets you cook your food perfectly at the touch of a button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to select nine power options, including the P boost option which gives the highest power for each zone for five minutes.

The controls are easy to operate and feature a modern, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a snap and was quick to heat up when we put an oven on the Booster zone. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and the testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.

In addition to a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and overheating block, as well as an auto switch-off system that shuts down the hob when it's too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no visible flames. Our test subjects were pleased with that. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct on the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to clean, even though it required two people to lift the filter to change it.

4. GE Induction Hob

Consider how the hob will work with your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs and ovens are a great choice if you cook with children or older people in mind. They have safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. For those who value speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a clean ceramic glass facia is the best choice. If you live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs during power outages could make the difference in favor of a gas model.