How to Choose the Best Hob
When choosing the best hob, there are many factors to take into account. From cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost as little as PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with many 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 cooker from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was also one of the quickest on test to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to fiddle around with the controls.
Its design is sleek and contemporary, blending in well with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. best hobs are touch-sensitive, and they sit flush on the worktop.
The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature generates 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 like the light on the hot hob and automatic shutoff are useful.
However it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, as opposed to seven or six for other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you may have to change settings several times before the pan is at the right temperature.
The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. It comes with a dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal as well as 'boost power levels. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected to the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 unique programs that are divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It features a simple multislider interface as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it is able to automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of safety features, such as an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
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 increasingly popular. Prices have dropped in the last few years, with basic four-zone models costing less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost for the latest innovations.
This slick-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility This hob is designed to reduce power consumption by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking needs. There are also options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 2 kW.
Testers were impressed with the user-friendly interface of this hob with easy-to-use controls that slide across the edge of the hob in order to follow the pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi duo" feature lets you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful functions, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
The oven also comes with an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or the possibility of a fire. There are a variety of safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It also has an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough stains and cooking marks. The hob is simple to install and has nine power levels as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering to large pans. There are also a variety of additional features, including control locks and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is set on top. This means they can reach temperatures much quicker than conventional gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to operate than gas and they are also less difficult to clean.
Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features that will allow you to get creative in the cooking. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boil quickly. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go let you cook your food perfectly by pressing one button. There are nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are also simple to use and have a modern, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In oven uk , it cooked pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up when we put an oven in the Booster zone. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and our test subjects could not determine the exact 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 an overheating block, as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's overheated. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw heat and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, however it required two people to remove the filter.
4. Induction Hob from GE
When selecting a hob think about how it will fit to your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and life. Induction hobs are an excellent 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. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. If you live in areas prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs during power cuts may make the difference in favor of a gas model.