We've Had Enough! 15 Things About Best Hob We're Sick Of Hearing
How to Choose the Best Hob There are many factors to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important. A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as little as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs, which are popular and offer great temperature control, but are expensive, are a different option. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this hob from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to fiddle around using controls. Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit on top of the worktop to allow for ease of use. The controls are easy to operate and we loved the clear display that informs you the current power setting, and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a brief period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil fast. Safety features like the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also beneficial. It's not as responsive as the other hobs we tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings several times to achieve the correct temperature. This 60 cm model comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. The dual-ring design allows it to operate on both “normal” and “boost” power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat, searing it or quickly making water come to a quick boiling. It's fully connected through the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 unique programs divided into different food categories and preparation styles. It has a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety of security features, including an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free alternative. Prices have slashed dramatically over the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now available for less that PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth the extra cost for the latest innovations. This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology to make cooking more efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with an overall diameter of at least 9cm and automatically selects the appropriate zone. Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW. The user-friendly interface of this hob was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme allows you to easily identify the status of each zone. The “Flexi duo” function allows the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful functions including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm. The hob also comes with an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or the possibility of a fire. There are ovens and hobs , like a residual heat indicator as well as an auto shut-off feature if the surface becomes too hot. It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough marks and stains from cooking. The hob is simple to install and has nine power levels, as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are a host of bonus features, like lockable controls 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 utilize 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 because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are easier to wipe clean too making them an extremely popular option. Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to help you develop your cooking ideas. It has two separate zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook perfectly at the touch one button. The controls are simple to use and allow you to choose nine power modes, 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's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up after placing a pan on the Booster zone. It took a while to cool down after turning off the hob, and the testers could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel. This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and overheating block and an auto switch-off system that stops the hob working when it's overheated. Our test participants were impressed that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via a duct in the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, however it took two people to remove the filter. 4. Induction Hob from GE When selecting a hob think about how it will fit into your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and your lifestyle. For instance, if often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as automatic shut-off and cool to the touch surface can make an induction hob the best option. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. Gas hobs are a good alternative for those living in areas prone to power outages.