How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is crucial.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs as little as PS100. However, you will need to pay more for one with many features. Gas hobs, which are also well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and will assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a pause function so you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit flush on the worktop.
The controls were easy to use and we loved the display that displays the current power level and which zone is currently in use. The "Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. Safety features like the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are useful.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs in this test. We found it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, compared with seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond to changes in temperature. It is possible 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 areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It has a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal and boost power levels. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App, and offers hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it will automatically recognize the kind of pan you're using and set the proper cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn sets and has a range of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have slashed over the past 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 paying more to get the latest technology.
This slick-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically selects the appropriate zone.
Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility - this hob is designed to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking requirements. 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 4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, with its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edges of it. The control panel's colour scheme helps you quickly identify the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful functions including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
In hob and oven to this the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you if there is any risk of burning or burning food. There are other safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.
It also has the CleanProtect coating that is designed to protect it from tough marks and stains from cooking. The hob is simple to install and comes with nine power levels, as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are a few bonus features like locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They make use of copper plates to generate an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means that they can heat up faster than gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on a pan. They are generally less expensive to run than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
Indesit's induction hob is full of features to help you be creative when cooking. It has two separate zones that can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring the water to a boil. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go let you cook your food perfectly by pressing the button. The controls are simple to operate and let you select nine power options, including the P boost option that gives maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also easy to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. However, it took a long time to cool off after we turned off the hob. Our testers were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and overheating block, as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the appliance from working when it's overheated. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our test subjects were pleased with the fact that it's. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. Our experts thought the duct of this hob was simple to keep clean, although it required two people to lift the filter to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a kitchen appliance think about how it will fit to your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and your lifestyle. For instance, if often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as an automatic shut-off or an icy to the touch surface could make an induction hob the best option. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the best alternative. Gas hobs are a good alternative for those living in areas susceptible to power outages.