How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100 however, you'll have to pay more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs, also popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are another option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones and three "Push&Go" functions, and can assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a pause function so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls.
Its style is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest flush on the worktop.
The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display which tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a brief duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to the boil quickly. Safety features like the hot hob light or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, as opposed to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the cooking temperature, so you may have to change settings multiple times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing water pans to the rapid boil.
It is fully connected to the hOn App and has hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 unique programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. In addition, it is able to automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third-party manufacturers and comes with a number of safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work in your kitchen, or searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
This slick-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots with dimensions of at least 9cm and then automatically will activate the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's main focus is on energy savings, but it doesn't ignore the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest temperatures that the zones can operate at. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to reduce energy consumption by reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The color scheme of the control panel lets you quickly see the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are numerous useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
Additionally, the hob has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you when there is a risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has a CleanProtect protective coating. This model has nine power levels and the FlexiDuo feature to allow for large pans, and is easy to install. There are also a number of bonus features, such as lockable controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electric field when the pan is set on top. This means they can heat up more quickly than gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking area only is heated when you turn on a pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they Best ovens are also simpler to clean.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boil quickly. The Push&Go feature, for instance, 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 five minutes, are easily set using the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to follow your pans.
The controls are easy to operate and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our test subjects had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
Alongside having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to clean, though it took two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the hob can be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are a great option if you cook with kids or elderly in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. Alternatively, for those who prefer efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is ideal. If you live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs during power outages could tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.