How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob to buy there are a lot of aspects to take into account. From price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs as little as PS100. However, you will need to pay more for one with numerous features. Gas hobs, which are also popular and offer great temperature control, but are more expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go" functions, and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was also one of the quickest tests to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an pause feature, meaning you can stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features control buttons that sit flush with the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls are simple to use and we liked the clear display which tells the current power setting and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for just a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shut-off are also beneficial.
It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. We found it took nine presses of the control to reach the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct heat.
This 60 cm model has four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing water pans to a rapid boil.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 different programs that are divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive multislider interface and a 'lockable' control panel, plus it is able to automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the right cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of security features, including the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with basic four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it is worth the extra cost.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's focus on energy saving does not leave out flexibility too The hob is built to conserve power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to save more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove was a hit with testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to determine the status of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function lets you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
Additionally, ovens has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you when there is a risk of a fire or food that has been burned. There are many safety features such as a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains and features an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. The hob is simple to install and comes with nine power levels, as well as an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are also a variety of bonus 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 hobs make use of copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. They heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy because the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to clean, which makes them an extremely popular option.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to help you develop your cooking ideas. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans and an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. The Push&Go feature, for instance, allows you to cook with perfection at the touch the button. Nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to track your 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 when we put it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with the bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block and an auto shut-off feature that shuts down the hob when it's overheated. Our testers appreciated the fact that there were no messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room via a duct on the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, however it required two people to remove the filter.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a hob take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, in addition to your cooking style and lifestyle. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off feature and cool to the touch surface can make an induction cooker an ideal option. For those who value speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are a good option for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.