How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob there are a lot of aspects to take into account. 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 need to spend more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are also a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're also pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this hob from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with a child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls.
Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit directly on the worktop.
The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display which shows the current power level and which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a short period of time, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil fast. Safety features like the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also useful.
However, you could try here 's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs we tested. We found that it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react to changes in temperature. You may need to adjust the settings several times to achieve the correct temperature.
The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. It features a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal and boost' power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat, searing it or quickly making water come to a quick boiling.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and preparation types. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn pans from third party companies and has a number of safety features like a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
If you're working on your kitchen or simply searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth the extra cost to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology to make cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to activate the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not mean that they don't offer flexibility - this hob is designed to conserve power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking preferences. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to reduce energy consumption, reducing the 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 along the edges of it. The control panel's color scheme helps you quickly identify the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones together to cater for larger pans. There are many useful features, such as four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
The hob also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you if there's a danger of a meal that's been burned or the possibility of a fire. There are several safety features like the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface is too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard stains and cooking marks. The hob is simple to install and features nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are some additional features such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on top. This means they can reach a temperature faster than gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too, which makes them a popular option.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to get creative in the kitchen. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pots and the Booster Zone is quick that can bring water to boiling point quickly. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook with perfection by pressing one button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to select nine power modes including the P boost option that provides maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to use and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to connect two cooking zones to make 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. Our test participants were impressed that there were no visible flames that were messy and messy, and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room through a duct on the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to clean, though it required two people to lift the filter to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the hob will fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a good option if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They come with safety features like automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. Alternatively, for those who prefer efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a clean ceramic glass facia is the best choice. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas prone to power outages.