13 Things You Should Know About Best Hob That You Might Not Have Known
How to Choose the Best Hob
When choosing the best hob, there are many factors to take into account. From price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost just PS100. However you'll need to pay more for one with many features. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're more expensive.
1. Ovens & Hobs -Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the fastest tested to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around using controls.
Its design is sleek and modern it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit flush on the worktop.
The controls were easy to use and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is active. The 'Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. Safety features such as the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are beneficial.
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 achieve the highest temperature, compared with six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the cooking temperature, meaning you may have to change settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.
This 60 cm model features 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. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat and searing it, or making water come to a quick boil.
It is fully connected to the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 special programs divided into various food categories and types of cooking. It has a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and has a range of security features, including a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or looking for a non-gas option. Prices have slashed 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 paying more for the latest innovations.
This sleek-looking 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 that have dimensions of at least 9 cm and then automatically selects the appropriate zone.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not leave out flexibility too - this hob is designed to reduce power consumption by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking needs. There are other options to save energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 kW.
Testers were impressed by the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that move across the edge of the hob to follow your pan. The color scheme of the control panel allows you to quickly determine the operating status of each zone, while the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting, boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
In addition to this the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you if there is any risk of a fire or food that has been burned. There are other safety features, such as an indicator of residual heat and an auto switch-off if the surface gets too hot.
It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough marks and stains from cooking. The hob is simple to install and features nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are a few bonus features, such as lockable controls, and a safety fuse to protect against accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to create magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy since the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas and they are also easier to clean.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. A range of automatic functions like Push&Go allow you to achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of a button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to select nine power options, including a P boost setting that provides maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are easy to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with the bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off system which prevents the oven from working when it gets too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our test subjects were pleased with the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room by a duct located on the surface. Our experts believed that the duct on this hob was easy to clean, though it took two people to lift the filter out to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a hob take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and your lifestyle. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as an automatic shut-off feature and a cool to the touch surface could make an induction hob a better choice. Alternatively, for those who prefer efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is ideal. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas susceptible to power outages.