How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob to buy there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to spend more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs, which are popular and offer great temperature control but are more expensive, are a different option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones, three 'Push&Go" functions, and will aid in cooking quick meals. It was also one of the most efficient tests to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning you can stop the process without having to mess around with controls.
Its style is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit directly on the worktop.
The controls were simple to use, and we liked the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a brief period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to the boil quickly. Safety features like the hob light that is hot or automatic shutdown are also useful.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, so you might have to alter settings multiple times before your pan reaches the right heat.
This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. It comes with dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal as well as 'boost' power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat and searing it, or bringing water to a rapid boiling.
It's fully connected via the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 unique programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation types. visit this backlink comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it is able to automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set up the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn cookware from third parties and has several security features, including the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or looking for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found at less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth paying a little more.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking efficient and easy. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9cm and automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the highest operating temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.
Testers were impressed with the user-friendly interface of this hob with easy-to-use controls that slide along the edges of the hob to follow your pan. The control panel's colour scheme allows you to quickly determine the operational status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are many useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
The hob also comes with an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a food item being burned or a fire. There are several safety features such as a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains and features a CleanProtect protective coating. The hob is simple to install and has nine power levels, as well as an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are also a number of additional features, like control locks and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on top. This means they can reach temperatures much quicker than conventional gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too making them a popular option.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to help you get creative in the cooking. It has two separate zones that can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring boiling water to. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go let you achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of the button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to choose nine power modes including a P boost setting that provides maximum power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up when we put an oven on the Booster zone. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
As well as the Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It comes with a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the hob from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room via a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a kitchen appliance think about how it will fit to your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and life. Induction hobs are a good option if you cook with children or older people in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas prone to power outages.