How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob for your needs there are a variety of factors to consider. From price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to spend more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs, which are popular and 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 cooker from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning 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 usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit flush on the worktop.
The controls were easy to operate, and we liked the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is active. The 'Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It is perfect for stir-frying and quickly heating up pans. The hob's light that is hot and the automatic shutoff are helpful security features, too.
It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, compared with six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you may have to change settings several times before the pan reaches the right heat.
The model in 60 cm has four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to be operated on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking meat, searing it or bringing water pans to the rapid boil.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App and has hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 unique programs that are divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It has an intuitive multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it is able to automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set the right 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
Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free option. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with basic four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
Read Homepage from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology to make cooking more efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not mean that they don't offer flexibility The hob is built to reduce power consumption by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking preferences. 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 low as 2.4 2 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, with its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edges of it. The control panel's colour scheme allows you to quickly determine 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 features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling, melting, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
ovens hobs 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 also several safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an auto switch-off if the surface is too hot.
It also resists tough stains and features an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. The stove is simple to install and has nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering to large pans. There are a host of additional features, such as lockable controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electric field when the pan is set on top. They heat up faster than gas hobs, and they also use less energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive than gas, and they're easier to clean making them an extremely popular choice.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as an instant booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook perfectly by pressing a button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are easy to use and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up after placing an oven on the Booster zone. However it took an extended time to cool off after we turned off the hob. Our testers found it difficult to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
As well as having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It comes with a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven from operating when it becomes too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our testers liked the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room by an air duct that is located on the surface. Our experts thought that the duct of this hob was simple to clean, though it required two people to lift the filter out and change it.
4. Induction Hob by GE
Consider how the hob can work with your kitchen's layout and design and what your cooking style is. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features like an automatic shut-off feature and cool to the touch surface could make an induction cooker the best choice. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are a good choice for those who live in areas prone to power outages.