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How to Choose the Best Hob

When selecting the ideal hob to buy there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital.

A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to shell out more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, hob and oven but they're also pricier.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was also one of the quickest tested 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 fiddle around with the 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 features controls that are on top of the worktop to allow for ease of use.

The controls are intuitive to operate and we loved the clear display which tells the current power setting and which of the five zones is active. The "Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a short time. It's ideal to stir fry and speedily heating up pans. The hob's hot light and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.

However it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings multiple times to get the right heat.

The model in 60 cm has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying, searing meat or bringing pans of water to a rapid boil.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers hundreds of recipes that include cooking instructions and 30 different programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation styles. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. Additionally, it is able to automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set up the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn pans from third party companies and has a number of safety features like the ability to lock the panel and oven boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models are now available for less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a bit more.

This sleek-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have dimensions of at least 9 cm and automatically will activate the zone that is appropriate.

Smeg's focus is on energy savings, but it doesn't ignore flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest operating temperatures of the zones. There are also 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.

Testers were impressed with this hob's user-friendly interface with easy-to-use controls that slide along the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The color scheme of the control panel lets you quickly see the operational status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones together to cater for larger pans. There are numerous useful functions, including four automated cooking settings: melting, boiling, oven slow-cooking, and keeping warm.

The oven also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you when there's a risk of a food item being burned or an igniting fire. There are a variety of safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off when the surface becomes too hot.

It also has an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough stains and cooking marks. The hob comes with nine power levels and a 'FlexiDuo feature' to accommodate large pans and is simple to set up. There are several bonus features like lockable controls, and an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is set on the top. This means that they can reach a temperature faster than gas hobs, and also conserve energy since the cooking zone only heats up when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to clean making them an extremely popular choice.

Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to allow you to be creative when cooking. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring water to a boil. A variety of automated functions like Push&Go allow you to create perfectly cooked meals at the touch of the button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected with the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the cooktop to follow the pans.

The controls are easy to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up when we put an oven with hob on the Booster zone. However, it took a long time to cool down once we turned off the hob and our testers found it difficult to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.

As well as the Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the oven - just click the following post, from working when it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames that were messy and messy, and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via an air duct that is built into the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to clean, even though it took two people to lift the filter out to change it.

4. GE Induction Hob

When selecting a hob think about how it will fit into your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and life. Induction hobs are an excellent choice if you cook with children or older people in mind. They have safety features like automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the best alternative. If you live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tip the scales in favour of gas models.