How to Choose the Best Hob
There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob , from price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs, which are 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 help you prepare quick meals. It was one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around using controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has control buttons that sit on top of the worktop to allow for ease of use.
The controls were simple to operate and we loved the display that shows the current power level and which zone is in use. The 'Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a brief time. It's ideal to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. Safety features such as the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are beneficial.
It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. We found it took nine presses on the control to attain the highest temperature compared with seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings several times to get the right temperature.
This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. The dual-ring design allows it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat, searing it or quickly bringing water to a rapid boil.
It's fully connected via the hOn app and boasts hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 unique programs divided into different food categories and preparation types. It has an intuitive multislider interface as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by third party companies and has various safety features like a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or searching for a non-gas option. Prices have slashed dramatically over the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now sold for less that PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth the extra cost for the latest innovations.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction technology to make your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with an overall diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically will activate the appropriate zone.
Smeg's focus on energy saving does not leave out flexibility too - this hob is designed to reduce power consumption by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit 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 hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that slide across the edge of the hob in order to follow your 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 together to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
The oven also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you when there's a risk of a food item being burned or an igniting fire. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist tough staining and cooking marks. The hob comes with nine power levels as well as an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are several bonus features like locking controls and a safety fuse to prevent accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is set on the top. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs and they also use less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too and that's why they're an extremely popular option.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features that will allow you to be creative when cooking. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form an Integrated Zone for larger pans as well as the Booster Zone is quick that can bring water to boiling point quickly. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you cook your food perfectly with the click of one button. Nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are also simple to use and have a modern, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up when we put an oven in the Booster zone. However it took an extended 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.
As well as the Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and overheating block, as well as an auto switch-off system that stops the hob working when it's overheated. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room via a duct on the surface. Our experts believed that the duct of this hob was simple to clean, even though it took two people to lift the filter to change it.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by General Electric
Think about how the hob can be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design as well as what your cooking style. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface can make an induction hob the best option. Alternatively, for those who prefer speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. For those who live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs during power outages may tip the scales in favour of gas models.