How to Choose the Best Hob

There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is crucial.

A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100 However, you'll need to pay more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs, which are also popular and provide excellent temperature control but are more expensive, are a different alternative.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction hob (https://squareblogs.net/menusleet01/what-oven-uk-experts-want-you-to-know)

This Haier hob has four cooking zones, three 'Push&Go" functions and can assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the most efficient tested to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around using controls.

Its design is sleek and modern it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit flush with the worktop for easy use.

The controls are intuitive to operate and we loved the clear display that tells you the current power setting, and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to the boil quickly. The hot hob light and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.

It's not as responsive as the other hobs tested in this test. We found that it took nine presses of the control to attain the highest temperature as opposed to six or seven on other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you might have to alter settings several times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.

The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone that two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking meat, searing it or bringing water pans to a rapid boil.

It's fully connected through the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 special programmes split into different food categories and preparation types. It has a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It also works with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with various safety features such as a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Whether you're having work done in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with basic four-zone models starting at less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that include induction, it's worth paying extra to get the latest technology.

This sleek-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically will activate the zone that is appropriate.

Smeg's primary focus is on energy savings, but it doesn't ignore the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.

Testers were awed by the hob's user-friendly design, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edges of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme 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 a variety of useful features, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.

In addition the hob comes with an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you of any danger of a burning or burning food. There are many safety features like the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.

It also has the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist tough marks and stains from cooking. The hob is simple to install and features nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering to large pans. There are some additional features such as locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against accidental pressing of buttons.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is set on the top. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs uk and they also consume less energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.

This induction hob uk from Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick that can bring water to boil quickly. A variety of automated functions like Push&Go allow you to achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of a button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to select nine power modes, including a P boost setting which gives the highest power in each zone for five minutes.

The controls are also simple to use and have a modern, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also comes with the bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off system which prevents the oven hob from working when it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our test subjects were pleased with that. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room through a duct on the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to clean, though it required two people to lift the filter out to change it.

4. Induction Hob by GE

Consider how the stove will be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style is. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features like an automatic shut-off feature and a cool to the touch surface can make an induction hob the best choice. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the ideal option. For those living in regions that are prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tilt the balance in favor of gas models.