How to Choose the Best Hob
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs just PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs, which are popular and offer great temperature control but are more expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions, and will assist you in making quick meals. It was among the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with 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 sleek, contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest directly on the worktop.
The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display that displays the current power level and the zone that is currently in use. The "Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a short time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. Safety features such as the hot hob light or automatic shut-off are also useful.
It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. We found it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, as opposed to seven or six on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct temperature.
The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is great for cooking meat and searing it, or bringing water to a rapid boil.
It's fully connected via the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 special programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn pan 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 have become increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free option. Prices have plummeted 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 come with induction it's worth the extra cost to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with an overall diameter of at least 9cm and then automatically activates the appropriate zone.
Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to reduce energy consumption by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded layout allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
In addition to this the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you if there is any danger of a fire or food that has been burned. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat indicator as well as an auto shut-off feature if the surface is too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains, and has a CleanProtect protective coating. The hob comes with nine power levels as well as an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to allow for large pans, and is easy to put in. There are several bonus features, such as locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on top. This means that they can reach a temperature much quicker than conventional gas hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on a pan. They are generally less expensive to operate than gas and they are also simpler to clean.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to allow you to develop your cooking ideas. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans and a rapid Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. A variety of automated functions like Push&Go allow you to create perfectly cooked meals with the click of a button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to select nine power modes including the P boost option which gives the highest power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up once we placed an oven in the Booster zone. However, it took a long time to cool off after we shut off the hob. Additionally, our testers found it difficult to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
In addition to having a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones here to suit larger pans. It comes with a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from working if it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw heat and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct on the surface. Our experts thought that the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to lift the filter to change it.
4. Induction Hob by GE
When selecting a hob, consider how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and your lifestyle. Induction hobs are a good choice for cooking with children or older people in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. For those who prefer speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is a great choice. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas prone to power outages.