Choosing the Best Hob
The best hob for you is determined by the type of worktop you are using and the space available. The type of worktop and location of the extractor hood are also important considerations when choosing the right hob.
If you opt for a brand-name model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are easier to clean and come with various safety features, including an indicator that glows red when they are hot.
1. Flexibility
A flexible hob will aid you in reaching your goals, whether it's perfecting your pancake recipe or cooking a quick meal for the midweek. The best hobs provide precise control of heat, and come by incorporating features such as dual wok burners as well as an enormous cooking space, making them ideal for a variety of recipes. These hobs can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. A lot of them come with the option to include an extractor fan, eliminating the requirement for separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space for your work area.
Gas hobs offer you instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're a popular choice. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning in order to avoid carbon buildup or fires. Additionally, they often take longer to boil water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pan itself rather than the surface of the cooker They are, therefore, cleaner to maintain. They are more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show fingerprints and scratches.
Hybrid hobs combine the advantages of gas and induction cooking into one unit, allowing you to switch between modes depending on the kind of food you're cooking. They're ideal for those who enjoy flexing their culinary skills, but don't have the space or time for a major kitchen upgrade.
This electric hob is a great model that offers flexibility in style and performance. Its dual flex zone can be combined to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls come with a child lock feature which prevents children from altering the settings. It's also designed to connect to a smart hub, so you can control the features from your smartphone.
Smeg's induction hob is a high-end model that is connected to your home WiFI network. It's got a lot of features that make cooking simpler and faster, such as automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause function. It's also incredibly simple to use and has touch controls that react immediately to changes in the recipe and a sleek design that could be perfect for modern kitchens.
2. Energy efficiency
The most efficient hobs are those that consume the most energy, whether you are boiling water or simmering soup. They're also a good option for those looking to reduce their electricity bills. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from getting hot. Induction hobs are the safest option, since they avoid accidental burns. Gas hobs might not be as efficient, but they are more affordable than electric ones.
The Miele I-Flex induction stove is our top choice. It offers a lot of flexibility due to the 'I Flex zone. It allows you to join two cooking zones together into one big area making it possible to use larger pots and pans. Its touch controls have an option for children to lock the controls to ensure that children aren't able to switch off the stove or change settings, which is a good feature for families with small kids. Although the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it is easy to clean with just a little wipe.
Another great feature of this model is its 'Pan detection' function, which automatically switches off the power to a cooking zone when you remove your pan. It's not the only one to have this functionality however it's an excellent addition that makes your life easier when you cook lots of meals for your family or group of friends.
This is a smart stove that is connected to the internet, so you can control it with an app on your phone. It can alert you when food is ready to cook so you don't overcook it. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water using this model, which is very fast for an induction stove. It comes with flexible cooking zones that can be combined and the 'Stop & Go' button that reduces all the cooking zones to the lowest setting making it easy to turn off.
The induction cooker is portable and has a compact design that's perfect for camping trips or a trip to the university. It's the read more tiniest and lightest hob we've tested however it still comes with a full set of cooking functions as well as a touch-sensitive slider. It also comes with a built-in 'VaryCook' function that lets you vary the temperature by moving your pan up and down the surface of the hob, which is perfect for making sauces or caramel.
3. Convenience
You should think about how the stove will fit into your kitchen, and what it will help improve the functionality of your home. This will help narrow down your options so that you can pick the best model for your family and property. It's important to read reviews to learn what other users have had to say about the appliance, since this will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses.
Some hob brands have smart technology that makes them the top choice for those who wish to control their cooking with their smartphones. Samsung's models, for example come with electronic timers that allow you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is especially helpful for those who lead busy lives, as you can use the timer to ensure that meals are ready on time, without having to keep an watch on them.
Gas hobs are also a great option for those looking for an old-fashioned look, since they can be used with a variety of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed pans and pans, which may be difficult to accommodate on other hobs. Gas hobs are often equipped with a range of settings so that you can adjust the temperature to suit the recipe you are cooking.
Induction hobs are yet another popular choice for those who are looking to modernize their kitchens because they offer faster heating times and are more efficient in energy use than gas models. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are very popular since they can reduce space by condensing the oven and the hob into one unit.
Another feature to look out for is a child lock which allows you to block the controls of a hob and safeguard children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This is an essential feature for parents of young children, as it could help to avoid burns and other injuries. Induction hobs often have a feature that allows you to link two zones together, resulting in more cooking space. This is useful for large pans.
4. Safety
A good hob has many safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the hob is heated. This can prevent accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs will also have a child lock that can stop children from turning the hob on or altering its settings. Certain hobs come with an option to join two cooking zones to create an additional zone, meaning you can cook a wide pan.
This is an excellent feature for family households and it can help keep everyone safe in the kitchen. It works by monitoring the temperature of the hob and if it senses that the pan isn't placed properly or there's a fire it will shut down the burner automatically. It's a great method to ensure your home is safe and you should consider it when shopping.
You can select between gas, electric, and induction hobs. Gas hobs use an electric flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs come with electronic rings that you can control by pressing a button. Induction hobs utilize magnets to heat your pans. They won't function without a magnetizable pan placed on them. This is a reliable type of hob that will cool quickly after the pan has been removed.
This type of hob saves space as it does not require an extractor fan. It is therefore possible to have a an easier kitchen design. It's more expensive than other kinds of hobs, but it's a great choice for any family. It can be used to remove excessive steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality in your the home. This is an excellent choice for families since it is easy to clean and shields against burns. When selecting a kitchen appliance, there are a variety of options to think about. Take the time to research them all before making your choice.