Choosing the Best Hob
The ideal hob for you is determined by the type of worktop and the space available. Choosing the right hob also is dependent on the kind of worktop that you have and the location of your extractor hood.
A basic gas-on-glass stove costs less than PS100 when you choose an original brand. They are less difficult to clean, and have a variety of safety features like a red indicator which glows when they are hot.
1. Flexibility
If you're looking for a way to cook up a quick midweek meal or master your pancake making technique A hob that is flexible is essential. The best hobs offer precise heat control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They are perfect for a wide variety of recipes. These hobs can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. Plus, many come with the option of adding an extractor fan built-in which eliminates the need for an additional overhead appliance and freeing up space on your worktop.
Gas hobs are able to provide instant heat. It's no wonder they are popular. Gas hobs require regular cleaning in order to prevent carbon build-up and fires. Additionally, they take longer to heat water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pan instead of the cooktop surface, so they are generally cleaner to maintain. They can be more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display fingerprints and scratches.
Hybrid hobs combine the advantages of gas and induction cooking in one unit, allowing you to switch between modes depending on the kind of food you're cooking. They're great for people who enjoy flexing their culinary skills, but don't have the space or time for a major kitchen upgrade.
This electric hob is a fantastic example of a model that can be flexed in appearance and function. Its dual flex zones can be combined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The controls also have a child lock that prevents children from altering the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so that you can control the features using your smartphone.
If you're looking for a high-spec induction cooker that can connect to your home Wi-Fi network then look no further than this model from Smeg. It's packed with features to facilitate cooking faster and more easily, including automatic pan detection and PowerBoost, as well as the ability to set a timer as well as a pause function. It's also easy to use thanks to touch controls that respond immediately to changes you make, and an elegant, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs use as little energy as possible when you're simmering soup or bringing water up to boiling point. They're also an excellent choice for those looking to cut down on their electric bill. Induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from becoming hot. Induction hobs are the most secure option, since they avoid accidental burns. Gas hobs may not be as efficient, but they are more affordable than electric models.
Our top pick is the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, comes with plenty of flexibility due to its 'I-Flex' zone which lets you merge two cooking zones into one large area so you can cook with big pans and pots. The controls on the touch screen have an infant lock, so that children can't turn the hob on or alter the settings, which is a good option for households with young kids. Although the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it's easy to clean with just a wipe.
The hob also comes with a 'Pan detection function' that will shut off power to a particular cooking area when you remove a pan. This isn't the only hob with this feature, but it's a great addition to make life easier if you cook for a large family or group of friends.
This is a smart stove that is connected to the internet so that you can control it using an app on your smartphone. It will even notify you when food is ready so that you don't overcook it. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water using this model, which is very fast for an induction stove. It comes with flexible cooking zones that can be combined and the "Stop & Go button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting, making it easy to turn off.
This induction hob is portable and has a slim design that's ideal for camping trips or taking to uni. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we tested, but it still comes with all of our cooking features and a responsive slider. It also has an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that lets you to control the temperature of your pan by dragging it up and down the surface of your hob. This is ideal to make caramel and sauces.
3. Convenience
You'll want to consider how the stove will fit into your kitchen, and what it will do to improve the efficiency of your home. This will help you narrow down your choices and choose the one that is best for you, your family, and your property. It is also advisable to look through reviews to see what other people's opinions are about the appliance. This will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses.
Certain hob brands are famous for their smart technology, making them the ideal choice for those who want to control their cooking via their smartphones. For example, Samsung's models feature electronic timers that let you Best ovens UK to determine precise cooking times and avoid overcooking. This is particularly useful for people with busy lives, as the timer lets you ensure that your meals are cooked when they should be without having to constantly monitor them.
Gas hobs are a great option for those who prefer traditional style, since they can be used with a range of cookware designs and sizes. This includes non-flat-bottomed pans and pans that can be difficult to accommodate on other hobs. Plus, gas hobs often have a variety of settings, so you can alter the heat to suit the pan you are using or your recipe.
Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models and provide faster heat-up times they are also a popular choice among those looking to modernise a kitchen. This is particularly true with induction hobs that have an oven built-in, as they can save space in your kitchen by offering a combined oven and hob in one unit.
Another feature to look out for is a child lock which lets you block the controls on a hob and shield children from accidents in the kitchen. This feature is crucial for families with young children as it can prevent burns and other injuries. In addition some induction hobs come with the ability to connect two zones to create a larger cooking space that can be beneficial when you're cooking with large pans.
4. Safety
A good hob will have many safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the hob is heated. This will help avoid accidents in the cooking area. Certain hobs feature a child lock to prevent children from turning on the stove or changing settings. Some will have a function that allows you to merge two cooking zones into a single zone to allow you to cook in a larger pan.
This is a fantastic feature for family households and can ensure that everyone is safe in the kitchen. It operates by monitoring the temperature of the hob and if it determines that the pan isn't placed correctly or there is an incident of fire it will shut off the burner instantly. It's a great method to ensure your home is safe, and you should take it into consideration when shopping.
There are a variety of different types of hobs that you can select from which include electric, gas and induction. Gas hobs utilize a flame for heating your pans. Electric hobs feature electronic rings that you can control by pressing a button. Induction hobs make use of an electric field to heat your pans. They won't work without a magnetizable pan placed on them. This is an efficient type of hob that will cool quickly after the pan is removed.
This kind of hob is an efficient space-saver since it removes the need for an extractor fan. This means that you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It can be more expensive than other types of hobs but it is a fantastic choice for any home. It can be used to get rid of excess smoke and steam from the kitchen. This can enhance the air quality at the home. This is a fantastic choice for families as it can protect against burns and is simple to clean. When choosing a hob there are a variety of options to consider. Take the time to research them all prior to making your decision.