How to Choose the Best Hob When selecting the ideal hob to buy there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important. A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're more expensive. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob This Haier stove has four cooking zones, three 'Push&Go functions and can assist you in making quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with controls. Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with controls that are flush with the worktop for ease of use. The controls are intuitive to operate and we loved the clear display that informs you the current power setting, and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil fast. The hot hob light and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too. However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings multiple times before you get the proper temperature. The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. It comes with a dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal and boost power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to a rapid boil. It's fully connected through the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 special programs that are divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and has a range of safety features, such as an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob When you're doing work in your kitchen or seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost for the most up-to-date technology. This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the location of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to activate the appropriate zone without having to manually select it. hob and oven is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW. Testers were impressed with the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that move across the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow your pan. The control panel's color scheme helps you quickly identify the operational status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are many useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results. The oven also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you if there's a danger of a meal that's been burned or the possibility of a fire. There are also several safety features, such as a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface becomes too hot. It is also resistant to tough stains and features an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. The hob comes with nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' for accommodating large pans and is simple to set up. There are a host of extra features, like control locks and a safety fuse in the event 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 pan or pot is placed on them. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs and they use less energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas, and they're easier to wipe clean too and that's why they're an extremely popular option. The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pans and an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to a boiling point quickly. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go lets you achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of one button. The controls are simple to operate and let you select nine power options, including a P boost setting that provides maximum power in each zone for five minutes. The controls are also easy to use and have an elegant, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. However, it took a long time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob and our testers found it difficult to determine the precise temperature on the control panel. Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the oven from working if it gets too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there weren't any visible flames that were messy and messy, and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room by a duct located on the surface. Our experts believed that the duct of this hob was simple to clean, though it required two people to lift the filter out to change it. 4. GE Induction Hob Consider how the hob will work with your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style is. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off or cool to the touch surface may make an induction cooker a better choice. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the best alternative. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.
hob and oven
