How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob, there are many factors to take into consideration. From price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100 however, you'll have to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are another popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this hob from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was also among the quickest on test to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit flush with the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls are easy to use and we liked the clear display that tells you the current power settings, and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a short time. It is perfect for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. Safety features like the light on the hot hob or automatic shut-off are also useful.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, in comparison to seven or six for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings multiple times to get the right heat.
This 60 cm model includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It comes with a dual-ring design that can operate on both 'normal as well as 'boost power levels. It is perfect for cooking, searing meat or bringing water pans to the rapid boiling point.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App, and offers hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface and a 'lockable' control panel, plus it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety of safety features, such as a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen or seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now sold at less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system, it's worth paying extra for the latest innovations.
This slick-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with dimensions of at least 9 cm and then automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not mean that they don't offer flexibility The hob is built to save power by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking requirements. There are also options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, with its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan along the edge of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi duo" feature lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful functions, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
In addition to this the hob comes with an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you when there is a risk of a fire or food that has been burned. There are a variety of safety features like the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface becomes too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains and features a CleanProtect protective coating. The stove is simple to set up and comes with nine power levels, as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are some additional features, such as lockable controls, and a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is set on top. They heat up faster than gas hobs, and they use less energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are simpler to clean and that's why they're an extremely popular choice.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring the water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook with perfection by pressing one button. The controls are easy to use and let you select nine power modes including the P boost option which gives the highest power to each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also easy to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. However ovensandhobs took some time to cool down once it was turned off from the hob. Our test participants were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
As well as a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It comes with a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass is easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room through a duct located on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, but it took two people in order to take the filter out.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a hob, consider how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and life. For instance, if often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features like automatic shut-off and cool to the touch surface may make an induction cooker a better option. For those who value speed and efficiency, an electric stove with a glass face that is wipe-clean is the best choice. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.