How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob to buy there are a lot of aspects to consider. From cost to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital.
A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, which are popular and offer great temperature control but are more expensive, are another option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can assist you in making quick meals. It was also one of the quickest on test to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. oven hob are touch-sensitive and sit in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls are intuitive to use and we liked the clear display that tells the current power setting, and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a brief duration, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. Safety features like the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are useful.
However it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to six or seven for other models. ovens and hobs takes longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings multiple times to achieve the correct heat.
This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. It has a dual-ring design that can operate on both 'normal and boost power levels. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing water pans to the rapid boil.
It is fully connected through the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third parties and has a number of security features, including a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or are looking for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found at less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth paying more for the most up-to-date technology.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9cm and automatically will activate the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are options to save even more energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges of it. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to determine the state of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
Additionally the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you if there is any risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are many safety features, including the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface is too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough staining and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels as well as an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is easy to put in. There are a host of bonus features, like lockable controls 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 utilize copper plates to generate an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means that they can heat up much quicker than conventional gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas, and they're easier to clean and that's why they're an extremely popular option.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features that will allow you to get creative in the cooking. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring boiling water to. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook perfectly at the touch one button. Nine power modes, including a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected using the controls, which move across the bottom of the cooktop to follow your pans.
The controls are easy to use and have an elegant, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up when we put an oven on the Booster zone. It took a while to cool down after turning off the hob, and our testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
Alongside having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block, as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's heated to the point of. Our test participants were impressed that there were no messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass is easy to clean. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room by a duct on the surface. Our experts thought that the duct of this hob was simple to clean, though it required two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Think about how the hob will be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style is. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and an icy to the touch surface may make an induction stove an ideal choice. Alternatively, for those who prioritize efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. For those living in regions prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may make the difference in favor of a gas model.