How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is crucial.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost just PS100. However you'll need to pay more for one with numerous features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice and provide great temperature control, however they are more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones with three 'Push&Go" functions, and will aid in cooking quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features a pause function, so you can stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary and blends well with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit directly on the worktop.
The controls were easy to use and we appreciated the display that displays the current power level as well as which zone is in use. The 'Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and quickly heating up pans. Safety features such as the hot hob light or automatic shutdown are also useful.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs we tested in this test. We found that it took nine presses of the control to reach the highest temperature, compared with six or seven on other models. It 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 includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is great for cooking meat while searing it or bring water to a fast boiling.
It is fully connected to the hOn App, and offers hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 unique programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It also works with hOn cookware from third party companies and has several security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen, or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost for the latest innovations.
This sleek model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically will activate the appropriate zone.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not leave out flexibility too The hob is built to conserve power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking requirements. There are also options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.
Testers were impressed by this hob's user-friendly interface, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edge of the hob in order to follow your 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 many useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The hob also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you when there's a risk of a food item being burned or the possibility of a fire. There are several safety features, including a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.
It also resists tough stains and features a protective coating of CleanProtect. This hob is easy to install and comes with nine power levels, as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are several bonus features, such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on top. They can heat up much quicker than gas hobs, and they use less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones which can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring the water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, lets you cook flawlessly by pressing one button. There are nine power modes, including a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to follow the pans.
The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. However it took some time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob. Additionally, our testers found it difficult to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
As well as a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. best hob comes with an overheating and child lock block, as well as an auto switch-off system that shuts down the hob when it's too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no visible flames. Our testers liked that. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, however it required two people to take the filter out.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a kitchen appliance take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and your lifestyle. Induction hobs are a good option if you cook with children or older people in mind. They are equipped with safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. If you live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs during power outages could make the difference in favor of gas models.