How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs, which are well-known and offer excellent temperature control but are more expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go" functions, and will assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the fastest tests to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with controls.
Its design is sleek and modern, blending in well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit flush on the worktop.
The controls were simple to use and we loved the display that displays the current power level and the zone that is currently in use. The 'Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a brief time. It is perfect to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. The hob's hot light and auto shut-off are great safety features, too.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to attain the highest temperature compared with six or seven on 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 get the right heat.
This 60 cm model comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat while searing it or bring water to a fast boil.
It's fully connected through the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 special programmes split into different food categories and preparation styles. It has a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third party companies and has a number of security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work in your kitchen, or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, they are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system, it's worth paying extra for the latest innovations.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction tech to keep your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the location of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to switch on the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the maximum temperatures that here the zones can operate at. There are other options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 2 kW.
Testers were awed by the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that slide across the edge of the hob in order to follow the pan. The color scheme of the control panel helps you quickly identify the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automated cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
Additionally the hob also has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you if there is any risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are other safety features, like a residual heat indicator as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It also has the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist hard marks and stains from cooking. The hob comes with nine power levels as well as an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is simple to set up. There are several bonus features, such as locking controls and a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They use copper plates to generate a magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means they can reach temperatures faster than gas hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking zone only heats up when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive than gas, and they're easier to clean, which makes them an extremely popular option.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features that will allow you to get creative in the cooking. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pots and a rapid Booster zone to bring water to a boiling point quickly. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection at the touch one button. The controls are simple to use and let you select nine power modes, including a P boost setting that gives maximum power to each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also easy to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up after placing an oven on the Booster zone. However, it took a long time to cool down once it was turned off from the hob and our testers were unable to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block and an auto switch-off system that stops the appliance from working when it's overheated. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. 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 believed that this hob's duct was easy to clean, even though it required two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the hob can be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a great choice if you cook with children or older people in mind. They have 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 best choice. For those living in regions susceptible to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tip the scales in favour of a gas model.