How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob for your needs there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs just PS100. However, you will need to pay more for one with many features. Gas hobs are a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, however they are more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this stove from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was also one of the most efficient on test to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with modern 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 simple to use and we loved the display that shows the current power level as well as which zone is currently in use. The "Boost" feature generates powerful heat in a short time. It is perfect to stir fry and speedily bringing pans to boil. The hot hob light and auto shut-off are great security features, too.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to seven or six on other models. It takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you may need to alter settings several times before the pan is at the right temperature.
The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking and searing meat, or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected to the hOn app and includes hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 unique programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the correct cooking mode. read full article 's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and has a range of safety features, like the control panel that can be locked 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 are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have plummeted 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 to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with dimensions of at least 9 centimetres and automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's focus on energy saving does not mean that they don't offer flexibility The hob is built to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to save more energy by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed by the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that slide along the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's color scheme helps you quickly identify the status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The oven also comes with an alarm system that will notify you if there's a danger of a food item being burned or an igniting fire. There are a variety of safety features like a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.
It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard staining and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels and an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to allow for large pans, and is simple to set up. There are a host of bonus features, like lockable controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create an electric field when the pan is set on top. This means they can reach a temperature faster than gas hobs. They also save energy as the cooking zone only is heated 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 which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and 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 at the touch of the button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to choose nine power options, including the P boost option that provides maximum power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also simple to use and have an elegant, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. However, it took a long time to cool off after we shut off the hob. Additionally, our testers were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
In addition to having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven from operating when it becomes too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass is easy to clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw heat and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via an air duct that is built into the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, but it required two people to remove the filter.
4. Induction Hob by General Electric
Consider how the stove will work with your kitchen's layout and design as well as what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are an excellent option if you cook with children or older people in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. If you're 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 prone to power outages.