How to Choose the Best Hob
When choosing the best hob there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to spend more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs, which are also popular and offer great temperature control, but are more expensive, are a different option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an pause feature, meaning you can stop the process without having to faff around with controls.
Its style is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit flush on the worktop.
The controls are easy to use, and we appreciated the clear display which tells you the current power setting, and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a brief duration, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil quickly. Safety features such as the hot hob light or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs we tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, meaning you might have to alter settings several times before the pan is at the right temperature.
This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking and searing meat, or bringing water pans to the rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected through the hOn app and includes hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 different programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a multislider control panel with 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 pans made by third parties and has a number of safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or are looking for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now sold for less than 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 efficient and energy efficient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility This hob is designed to save power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking needs. There are also options to save even more energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, with its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan along the edge of it. The color scheme of the control panel allows you to quickly determine the operational status of each zone, while the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are many useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The oven also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you when there's a risk of a food item being burned or a fire. There are several safety features such as a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough marks and stains from cooking. The stove is simple to set up and features nine power levels, as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are also a number of additional features, including control locks and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to generate an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means they can heat up faster than gas hobs, and also save energy as the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas, and they're easier to clean making them a popular choice.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boil quickly. A range of automatic functions like Push&Go allow you to create perfectly cooked meals at the touch of one button. The controls are easy to operate and let you select nine power options, including the P boost option that provides maximum power in 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 swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiled pasta water. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and the testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones to Ovens & Hobs make larger pans. It also has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off system which stops the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room via an air duct that is located on the surface. Our experts believed that this hob's duct was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to lift the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
Consider how the stove can work with the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as the style of cooking you prefer. Induction hobs are an excellent choice if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. If you prefer efficiency and speed, an electric stove with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best choice. Gas hobs are a good option for those who live in areas prone to power outages.