How to Choose the Best Hob
When choosing the best hob for your needs, there are many factors to take into account. From price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, however they are pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the quickest tests to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with the controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest directly on the worktop.
The controls were simple to use and we loved the display which shows the current power level and which zone is active. The 'Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a short time. It is perfect to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. The hot hob light and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, meaning you may have to change settings several times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is great for cooking meat, searing it or quickly making water come to a quick boiling.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app and boasts hundreds of recipes that include cooking instructions and 30 different programs that are divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel that has a lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third party companies and has several security features, including the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
If you're working on your kitchen or simply seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth the extra cost for the most up-to-date technology.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction technology to make your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with dimensions of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically selects the appropriate zone.
Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency but it doesn't forget the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. 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 2 kW.
Testers were impressed with the hob's user-friendly design that has intuitive controls that slide along 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" feature lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, melting, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
The hob also has an alarm system that will notify you if there's a danger of a food item being burned or an igniting fire. There are several safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough marks and stains from cooking. The hob comes with nine power levels and the FlexiDuo feature to accommodate large pans and is simple to set up. There are a host of extra features, like 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 make use of 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 use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive than gas, and they're easier to wipe clean too and that's why they're an extremely popular option.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go let you achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of a button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to choose nine power modes, including the P boost option that provides maximum power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also simple 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 snap and quickly heated up once we placed an oven on the Booster zone. However, it took an extended 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.
This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also comes with an overheating and child lock block as well as an auto switch-off system that stops the hob working when it's overheated. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass was easy to wipe clean. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. Our experts believed that this hob's duct was easy to clean, though it took two people to take the filter to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a hob take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, and also your cooking style and life. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off feature and cool to the touch surface could make an induction hob an ideal choice. If you're looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the best option. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas prone to power outages.