The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Best Hob

How to Choose the Best Hob

There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.

A basic ceramic electric hob can cost as little as PS100. However you'll need to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs uk are another popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also pricier.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier stove has four cooking zones, three 'Push&Go" functions and can help you prepare quick meals. It was also one of the most efficient tests to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It has a child lock and the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.

Its style is sleek and contemporary it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for easy use.

The controls were simple to operate and we loved the display which shows the current power level and which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a brief duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. The hob and oven's light that is hot and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.

However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to attain the highest temperature as opposed to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, so you may have to change settings several times before the pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.

This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to be operated on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is great for cooking meat and searing it, or making water come to a quick boiling.

It's fully connected through the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 unique programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety of safety features, such as a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have slashed dramatically over the past few years. Basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it's worth paying a bit more.

This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with a diameter of at least 9cm and automatically activates the zone that is appropriate.

Smeg's main focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum 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 4 kW.

Testers were awed by the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that slide along the edges of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme 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 a variety of useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting, boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.

In addition the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you of any risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are also several safety features, such as a residual heat indicator as well as an auto shut-off feature if the surface is too hot.

It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough stains and cooking marks. The stove is simple to install and comes with nine power levels and a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are also a number of additional 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 stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on top. This means that they can heat up more quickly than gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas, and they're easier to wipe clean too, which makes them an extremely popular option.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pots and an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to a boiling point quickly. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you create perfectly cooked meals with the click of a button. The controls are simple to use and allow you to choose nine power modes including a P boost setting which gives the highest power in each zone for five minutes.

The controls are easy to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up when we put a pan on the Booster zone. However it took some time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob. Additionally, our test participants were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.

As well as a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It comes with a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the oven from working when 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. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people to remove the filter.

4. GE Induction Hob

When choosing a new hob think about how it will fit to your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and lifestyle. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface may make an induction hob an ideal choice. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the best choice. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas prone to power outages.