How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob for your needs, there are many factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to pay more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs, which are popular and offer great temperature control, but are more expensive, are another option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go" functions and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It has an child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process quickly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is modern and sleek and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest flush on the worktop.
The controls were simple to use, and we liked the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of water to a boil fast. Safety features like the hob light that is hot or automatic shutdown are also useful.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to six or seven for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond to changes in temperature. You may have to adjust the settings several times to achieve the correct temperature.
This 60 cm model comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing pots of water to the rapid boiling point.
It's fully connected via the hOn app, and offers hundreds of recipes that include cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and preparation styles. It features a simple multislider interface as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
If you're working in your kitchen or seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models can be found at less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more.
This sleek model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking efficient and easy. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically recognises the position of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy savings, but it doesn't ignore the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save energy based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges of it. The color scheme of the control panel allows you to quickly determine the status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are many useful features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
In oven to this, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you of any risk of a fire or food that has been burned. There are several safety features such as the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It also has the CleanProtect coating that is designed to protect it from tough stains and cooking marks. The stove is simple to set up and features nine power levels, as well as an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are some additional features such as control locks, as well as an emergency fuse to stop accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on top. They heat up faster than gas hobs and they use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive than gas, and they're easier to wipe clean too making them an extremely popular option.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you cook your food perfectly by pressing a button. Nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to follow your pans.
The controls are easy to operate and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. However, it took a long time to cool down once we shut off the hob. Additionally, our test participants were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
As well as a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block as well as an auto shut-off feature that shuts down the hob when it's overheated. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our testers were impressed by the fact that it's. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room by a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people in order to remove the filter.
4. Induction Hob from GE
When selecting a kitchen appliance, consider how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and lifestyle. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface can make an induction cooker the best option. If you value efficiency and speed, an electric stove with a clean ceramic glass facia is the best choice. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas that are susceptible to power outages.