How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob there are a variety of factors to consider. From cost to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to spend more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, which are well-known and offer excellent temperature control but are more expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was among the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to mess around with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well 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 which shows the current power level and which zone is in use. The 'Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. Safety features like the hob light that is hot and automatic shutoff are beneficial.
It's not as responsive as other hobs we tested in this test. We found that it took nine presses on the control to attain the highest temperature as opposed to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, so you may need to alter 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, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. Dual-ring design permits it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing pans of water to a rapid boil.
It's fully connected via the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 special programs that are divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a multislider control panel with a "lockable interface' that detects the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of safety features, like a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, they are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models are now available for less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth paying more to get the latest technology.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots best ovens and hobs uk with dimensions of at least 9cm and then automatically will activate the appropriate zone.
Smeg's focus on energy saving 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 to meet your cooking needs. There are also options to save even more energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.
Testers were awed by the hob's user-friendly design that has intuitive controls that slide along the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow your pan. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
Additionally the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' that warns you if there is any risk of fire or food that has been burned. There are many safety features like 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 CleanProtect protective coating. This model has nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' for accommodating large pans and is simple to set up. There are also a variety of extra features, such as control locks and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on top. This means they can heat up faster than gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking area only is heated when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to clean, which makes them a popular choice.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone for larger pots and a rapid Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go lets you achieve perfectly cooked dishes at the touch of the button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to choose nine power modes, including the P boost option that provides maximum power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to use and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiled pasta water. It took some time to cool down after turning off the hob, and the testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven from working if it gets too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there weren't any visible flames that were messy and messy, and the ceramic glass is easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room via a duct on the surface. Our experts believed that the duct on this hob was easy to clean, even though it took two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. Induction Hob by GE
When choosing a new hob take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, in addition to your cooking style and life. Induction hobs are a great choice if you cook with children or older people in mind. They come with safety features like automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. If you're looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the best choice. For those living in regions prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power cuts may make the difference in favor of a gas model.