How to Choose the Best Hob
There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, however they are more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and will help you prepare quick meals. It was also among the fastest on test to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary and blends well with modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for ease of 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 are in use. The 'Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a brief time. It's ideal for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. Safety features like the light on the hot hob and automatic shutoff are beneficial.
However it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, as opposed to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you might have to alter settings multiple times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. It features a dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal as well as 'boost power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat and searing it, or making water come to a quick boil.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 special programs divided into different food categories and preparation styles. It has a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of security features, including an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or searching for a non-gas option. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's attention to energy savings doesn't overlook flexibility either The hob is built to save power by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were awed by the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that slide across the edge of the hob in order to follow the pan. The color scheme of the control panel lets you quickly see the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
The hob also has a FlameSensor that can alert you in the event of a burnt-on meal or an igniting fire. There are other safety features, like a residual heat indicator as well as an auto shut-off feature if the surface is too hot.
It also has the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist hard stains and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels as well as the FlexiDuo feature to allow for large pans, and is easy to install. There are also a variety of bonus features, such as control locks and a safety fuse in the event 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 create a magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means they can reach a temperature much quicker than conventional gas hobs. They can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on a pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.
Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features to help you get creative in the cooking. It has two separate zones that can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring water to a boil. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go let you cook your food perfectly with the click of the button. And nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to follow your pans.
The controls click here are also simple to use and have an elegant, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up once we placed an oven in the Booster zone. It took some time 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 you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and overheating block, as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the appliance from working when it's heated to the point of. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no flames visible. Our test subjects were pleased with the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room by a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought that the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter to change it.
4. Induction Hob by GE
When selecting a hob think about how it will fit to your kitchen's style and layout, in addition to your cooking style and your lifestyle. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features such as an automatic shut-off feature and cool to the touch surface can make an induction hob an ideal option. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. Gas hobs are a good alternative for those living in areas susceptible to power outages.