The No. One Question That Everyone Working In Best Hob Needs To Know How To Answer

How to Choose the Best Hob

There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.

A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100 however, you’ll have to spend more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, however they are pricier.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three functions called ‘Push&Go’, this hob from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was also one of the fastest on test to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It comes with a child lock and pause function so you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls.

Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit directly on the worktop.

The controls were simple to operate and we loved the display which shows the current power level and which zone is active. The ‘Boost’ feature generates high-powered heat for a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil quickly. Safety features like the hot hob light or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.

However, it’s not as responsive to touch as some other hobs we tested. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, in contrast to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, so you may need to alter settings several times before the pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.

The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It comes with a dual-ring design and can function on both ‘normal as well as ‘boost’ power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat, searing it or quickly making water come to a quick boiling.

It is fully connected through the hOn App and has 100’s of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 unique programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface and Ovensandhobs.uk a ‘lockable’ control panel, plus it will automatically recognize the kind of pan you’re using and set up the proper cooking mode. It’s also compatible 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

When you’re doing work in your kitchen, or searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed dramatically over the last few years. The basic four-zone models are now available at less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth paying a little more.

This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically activates the appropriate zone.

Smeg’s focus is on energy savings, but it doesn’t ignore flexibility – this hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to conserve more energy by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.

The user-friendly interface of this cooker was a hit with testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan along 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 you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.

The hob also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you when there’s a risk of a meal that’s been burned or an igniting fire. There are other safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an automatic shut-off when 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 features nine power levels as well as an excellent ‘FlexiDuo’ feature for catering to large pans. There are also a variety of extra features, including lockable controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They use copper plates to generate a magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means they can heat up more quickly than gas hobs and can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on a pan. They’re generally less expensive than gas and are easier to wipe clean too, which makes them a popular choice.

This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pans and a rapid Booster zone to bring water to the boil quickly. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go lets you achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of a button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to select nine power modes, including a P boost setting which gives the highest power to each zone for five minutes.

The controls are easy to use and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up after placing an oven on the Booster zone. However it took some time to cool off after we shut off the hob. Additionally, our test participants were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.

In addition to having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from working when it gets too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass is easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room via a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought that this hob’s duct was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter to change it.

4. GE Induction Hob

Think about how the hob can fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style is. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as an automatic shut-off feature and cool to the touch surface can make an induction hob a better option. For those who prioritize speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a clean ceramic glass facia is a great choice. If you live in areas prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs during power outages could make the difference in favor of a gas model.