How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob, there are many factors to take into account. From price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to fiddle around using controls.
Its style is sleek and modern it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with control buttons that sit on top of the worktop to allow to make it easy to use.
The controls were simple to operate, and we liked the display that shows the current power level and the zone that is in use. The "Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a short time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob and automatic shutoff are useful.
It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, as opposed to six or seven for other models. It takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you may have to change settings multiple times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat while searing it or bring water to a fast boiling.
It's fully connected via the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programmes split into different food categories and preparation types. It features a multislider controls panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety 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 you are renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting 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 sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to reduce energy consumption by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed by this hob's user-friendly interface with easy-to-use controls that slide across the edge of the hob to follow your pan. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to determine the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function allows the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
The oven also comes with an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or an igniting fire. There are several safety features, including a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface is too hot.
It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough staining and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels and the FlexiDuo feature for accommodating large pans and is easy to put in. There are a host of additional features, including locking controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They use copper plates to generate an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy because the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to operate than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. 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 the water to a boil. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you cook your food perfectly at the touch of the button. And nine power modes, including a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily set using the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are easy to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our test subjects could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It comes with a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off system which prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by that. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw heat and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct on the surface. Our experts thought the duct of best hob this hob was simple to clean, though it required two people to take the filter to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When choosing a new hob think about how it will fit into your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and life. Induction hobs are a great choice if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They come with safety features like automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are a good alternative for those living in areas susceptible to power outages.