How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from cost to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to spend more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs, also popular and provide excellent temperature control but are more expensive, are a different option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones and three "Push&Go" functions, and will help you prepare quick meals. It was one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an pause feature, meaning you can stop the process without having to fiddle around using controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with control buttons that sit flush with the worktop for easy use.
The controls were easy to use and we loved the display which shows the current power level and the zone that is currently in use. The "Boost" feature creates powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. The hot hob light and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs we tested in this test. We found it took nine presses of the control to reach the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings a few times before you get the proper temperature.
This 60 cm model comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected through the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 different programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It has an intuitive multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it will automatically recognize the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third party companies and has a number of security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done on your kitchen or simply seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth paying more to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the position of pots that have minimum diameters of best oven uk 9cm, which allows you to activate the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency but it doesn't forget flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. There are options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 2 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded layout allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" feature lets you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
In addition to this the hob also has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you of any danger of a burning or burning food. There are a variety of safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a protective coating of CleanProtect. This hob has nine power levels, the FlexiDuo feature to allow for large pans, and is easy to put in. There are a host of bonus features, such as control locks and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They utilize copper plates to create an electric force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs and they use less energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone for larger pans and a rapid Booster zone that can bring water to boiling point quickly. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go let you achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of one button. The controls are simple to use and let you select nine power modes, including a P boost setting that provides maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also simple to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up once we placed a pan on the Booster zone. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and our test subjects could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
In addition to the Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the hob from working if it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, however it required two people in order to remove the filter.
4. Induction Hob by General Electric
Consider how the stove will work with your kitchen's layout and design and the style of cooking you prefer. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features like an automatic shut-off feature and an icy to the touch surface could make an induction stove a better choice. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are an excellent option for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.