How to Choose the Best Hob
There are many factors to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.
A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, however they are 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 also one of the most efficient tests to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around using controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit directly on the worktop.
The controls were simple to operate, and we liked the display that shows the current power level as well as which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, in comparison to seven or six for other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you might have to alter settings several times before the pan is at the right temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat and searing it, or making water come to a quick boil.
It is fully connected to the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 different programs that are divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a user-friendly 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 correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with a number of security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
If you're working in your kitchen, or seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have slashed dramatically over the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
This slick-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the location of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to switch on the appropriate zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's focus Best place to buy oven and hob is on energy savings but it doesn't forget flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save even more energy by using 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 stove was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The color scheme of the control panel helps you quickly identify the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The hob also has a FlameSensor that can alert you in the event of a meal that's been burned or a fire. There are several safety features, including the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface becomes too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with a protective CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough staining and cooking marks. The hob comes with nine power levels as well as a 'FlexiDuo feature' for accommodating large pans and is easy to put in. There are also a number of extra features, like locking controls and a safety 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 use copper plates that create an electric field when a pan is placed on top. This means that they can heat up more quickly than gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on a pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to help you get creative in the cooking. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring boiling water to. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go lets you cook your food perfectly with the click of a button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are also easy to operate and feature a modern, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. However it took a long time to cool off after we turned off the hob. Additionally, our testers found it difficult to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also features a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the appliance from working when it's overheated. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers liked that. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. Our experts believed that the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. Induction Hob from GE
When choosing a new hob think about how it will fit into your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and your lifestyle. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as an automatic shut-off or an icy to the touch surface can make an induction cooker the best option. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas that are susceptible to power outages.