How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are essential is vital.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost just PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs are another popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was among the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around using controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary, blending in well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with control buttons that sit on top of the worktop to allow to make it easy to use.
The controls are easy to operate and we loved the clear display that informs you the current power setting, and which of the five zones is active. The "Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot or automatic shut-off are also useful.
However it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs we tested. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings several times to achieve the correct temperature.
This 60 cm model has four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing pots of water to the rapid boil.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programmes split 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 proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of safety features, such as an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done on your kitchen or simply seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models are now available for less that PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it's worth paying a bit more.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have a diameter of at least 9cm and automatically activates the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's attention to energy savings doesn't overlook flexibility either This hob is designed to conserve power by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking preferences. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to reduce energy consumption by reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded layout allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
In addition to this the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you when there is a risk of a burning or burning food. There are several safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard staining and cooking marks. The hob is simple to set up and comes with nine power levels and the handy FlexiDuo feature that allows catering for large pans. There are also a variety of additional features, like lockable controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They make use of copper plates to generate an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They heat up faster than gas hobs, and they also use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too and that's why they're a popular choice.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans as well as the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boil quickly. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you achieve perfectly cooked dishes at the touch of one button. And nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily set using the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the cooktop to follow your pans.
The controls are also easy to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up once we placed an oven in the Booster zone. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and our test subjects could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also features the bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It comes with a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off system which stops the hob from working when it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no messy, visible flames and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam and smoke 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 keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the stove can be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are an excellent option if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.