How to Choose the best hob (Resource)

There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.

A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100 however, you'll have to spend more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, which are also popular and Hob provide excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are another option.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this stove from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around using controls.

Its design is sleek and contemporary it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit in a flush position on the countertop.

The controls are easy to use, and we appreciated the clear display that tells the current power setting, and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a short duration, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil fast. Safety features such as the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are useful.

It's not as responsive as the other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you may need to alter settings multiple times before your pan reaches the right heat.

This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. Dual-ring design permits it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing pans of water to the rapid boil.

It is fully connected through the hOn app and includes hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 different programs that are divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by third parties and has various security features, including a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or looking for a non-gas option. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with basic four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a little more.

This slick-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have dimensions of at least 9cm and then automatically activates the zone that is appropriate.

Smeg's focus on energy saving doesn't overlook flexibility either The hob is built to conserve power by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking requirements. There are options to save even more energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this hob was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's color scheme helps you quickly identify the status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.

The hob also comes with an alarm system that will notify you if there's a danger of a burnt-on meal or an igniting fire. There are other safety features, such as a residual heat indicator and an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.

It also resists hard stains and comes with an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. The stove is simple to set up and comes with nine power levels and an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are several bonus features, such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pressing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They utilize copper plates to generate magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They heat up faster than gas hobs and they also consume less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.

Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to help you develop your cooking ideas. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick that can bring water to boiling point quickly. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook with perfection with the click of one button. Nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the cooktop to follow the pans.

The controls are simple to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. However it took some time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob. Our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also features a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from working when it gets too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there weren't any visible flames that were messy and messy, and the glass is easy to clean. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room via a duct in the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, however it required two people to take the filter out.

4. GE Induction Hob

Consider how the hob can be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as the style of cooking you prefer. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off or an icy to the touch surface could make an induction stove an ideal option. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal option. For those who live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs during power outages could make the difference in favor of a gas model.