How to Choose the Best Hob
There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs, which are popular and provide excellent temperature control but are more expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones, three 'Push&Go" functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with a child lock and pause function so you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek and modern and blends well with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit directly on the worktop.
The controls were simple to operate, and we liked the display that displays the current power level and which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a brief time. It's ideal for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. The hob's light that is hot and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, as opposed to seven or six for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings multiple times to achieve the correct heat.
The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. Dual-ring design permits it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying meat, searing it or bringing water pans to a rapid boil.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes with cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and preparation styles. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it is able to automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn pan sets and has a range of security features, including an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth the extra cost.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to switch on the appropriate zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency doesn't overlook flexibility either The hob is built to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking needs. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed by this hob's user-friendly interface, with intuitive sliding controls that move across the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to identify the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
The oven also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or a fire. There are other safety features, like an indicator of residual heat and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains and features a CleanProtect protective coating. The hob is simple to set up and features nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are a host of extra features, like control locks and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on top. They heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they also use less energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to operate than gas and they are also easier to clean.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form an Integrated Zone for larger pans as well as a rapid Booster zone to bring water to the boiling point quickly. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go let you cook your food perfectly with the click of a button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to select nine power modes including the P boost option that provides maximum power to each zone for five minutes.
The controls are easy to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up once we placed a pan on the Booster zone. However it took an extended time to cool down once it was turned off from the hob. Additionally, our testers found it difficult to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. oven with hob has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an auto switch-off system that stops the hob working when it's heated to the point of. Our testers appreciated the fact that there weren't any visible flames that were messy and messy, and the glass is easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. Our experts thought the duct of this hob was simple to clean, even though it required two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
When selecting a hob, consider how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and life. Induction hobs are an excellent choice for cooking with children or older people in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. For those who live in areas prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power outages could tip the scales in favour of a gas model.