How to Choose the Best Hob

When deciding on the best oven uk hob for your needs there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.

A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier stove has four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with an child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls.

Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest directly on the worktop.

The controls were easy to operate and we loved the display which shows the current power level and the zone that is active. The "Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. The hot hob light and auto shut-off are great safety features, too.

However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to seven or six for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct temperature.

The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. It comes with a dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal' and 'boost' power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat and searing it, or bring water to a fast boiling.

It's fully connected via the hOn app and boasts hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 unique programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation types. It features a multislider controls panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by third-party manufacturers and comes with various security features, including a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

When you're doing work in your kitchen, or looking for an alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped over the past few years, with basic four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more.

This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology to make cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to activate the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.

Smeg's focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are also options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 kW.

Testers were impressed by the oven hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that move across the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow your pan. The control panel's color scheme helps you quickly identify the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are plenty of useful functions, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling slow cooking, ovens and hobs uk keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.

In addition to this, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you if there is any risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are other safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface becomes too hot.

It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough staining and cooking marks. This hob is easy to set up and has nine power levels, as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are also a number of additional features, such as lockable controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is set on the top. This means they can heat up faster than gas hob hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking zone only heats up when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too making them an extremely popular option.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone for larger pans and an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. A range of functions that are automatic like Push&Go allow you to create perfectly cooked meals with the click of one button. There are nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the cooktop to follow your pans.

The controls are also easy to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and the testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function that allows the user to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from working when it gets too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our test subjects were pleased with the fact that it's. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room through a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, however it required two people in order to remove the filter.

4. Induction Hob from General Electric

Think about how the hob will work with the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are a great choice if you cook with kids or elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. Alternatively, for those who prioritize efficiency and speed, an electric stove with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best choice. For those who live in areas prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tip the scales in favour of gas models.