How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for one with numerous features. Gas hobs, which are also popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are a different option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this cooker from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with an child lock and the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek and modern, blending in well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has controls that are on top of the worktop to allow for easy use.
The controls were simple 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 in a brief time. It is perfect for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. The hob's light that is hot and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs tested in this test. We found that it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, compared with seven or six on other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, meaning you may have to change settings multiple times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing pots of water to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected to the hOn App, and offers hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 unique programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It features a multislider controls panel that has a lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third party companies and has a number of safety features such as the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work in your kitchen or seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth paying more to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are other options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan along the edges of it. The control panel's colour scheme allows you to quickly determine the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are numerous useful functions including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
In addition, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you when there is a risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are several safety features such as the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains and features a protective coating of CleanProtect. This hob is easy to set up and has nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are also a variety of additional features, such as lockable controls 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 use copper plates to create magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means that they can reach a temperature much quicker than conventional gas hob s and can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on a pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
Indesit's induction hob is full of features that will allow you to be creative when cooking. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pots and the Booster Zone is quick that can bring water to boil quickly. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals with the click of one button. And nine power modes including a 'P-boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected with the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the cooktop to follow your pans.
The controls are also simple to use and have modern, minimalist designs that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan when we put it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. However it took an extended time to cool down after we turned off the hob. Our testers were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and an overheating block and an auto switch-off system that stops the appliance from working when it's overheated. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass is easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room via a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought the duct of this hob was simple to keep clean, although it took two people to lift the filter to change it.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
Think about how the hob will be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface could make an induction cooker an ideal option. If you prioritize speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a clean ceramic glass facia is a great choice. Gas hobs are a great option for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.