How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob for your needs, there are many factors to take into consideration. From price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital.
A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as little as PS100, but you'll need to pay more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this cooker from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with a child lock and pause function so you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for ease of use.
The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display that tells you the current power setting and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a brief period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil quickly. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot or automatic shut-off are also beneficial.
However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. We found that it took nine presses on the control to attain the highest temperature compared with six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you may have to change settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.
The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It has dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal as well as 'boost' power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat, searing it or quickly bring water to a fast boil.
It's fully connected through the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programs that are divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel with a "lockable interface' and can detect the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn pans made by third parties and has several safety features such as a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free option. Prices have slashed dramatically over the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found at less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction, it's worth paying extra for the most up-to-date technology.
speaking of -looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction tech to keep your cooking efficient and easy. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's attention to energy savings doesn't overlook flexibility either - this hob is designed to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking needs. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to conserve more energy by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed by this hob's user-friendly interface that has intuitive controls that move along the edges of the hob, allowing it to follow your pan. The color scheme of the control panel allows you to quickly determine the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting, boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
Additionally the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you of any risk of a burning or burning food. There are also several safety features, such as a residual heat indicator and an auto switch-off if the surface is too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains, and has a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob is easy to install and comes with nine power levels, as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are some additional features like control locks, as well as a safety fuse to protect against accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on top. This means that they can reach a temperature more quickly than gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are simpler to clean, which makes them a popular choice.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boiling point quickly. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you achieve perfectly cooked dishes at the touch of one button. The controls are simple to use and let you select nine power modes including a P boost setting which gives the highest power to each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also simple to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. It took a while for it to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
Alongside having a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It comes with a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via a duct in the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took 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, as well as your cooking style and your lifestyle. Induction hobs are a great choice for cooking with kids or elderly in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the best alternative. Gas hobs are a good option for those who live in areas prone to power outages.