How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob to buy, there are many factors to take into consideration. From price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
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 option and offer excellent temperature control, however they are pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions, and will aid in cooking quick meals. It was also among the fastest tested to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary, blending in well with contemporary kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit flush with the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls were simple to operate and we loved the display that displays the current power level and the zone that is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short period of time, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. The hob's light that is hot and automatic shutdown are useful security features, too.
However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs 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 also takes longer for the pan to react when you change the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings multiple times before you get the proper heat.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. It features a dual-ring design that is able to operate on both normal as well as 'boost power levels. Boost is ideal for frying and searing meat, or bringing pots of water to a rapid boil.
It's fully connected through the hOn app and comes with hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 unique programmes split into different food categories and types of preparation. It has a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn pan sets and has a range of security features, including the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth paying a little more.
This sleek model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have a diameter of at least 9 cm and automatically activates the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's focus on energy saving does not leave out flexibility too The hob is built to conserve power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking preferences. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to save more energy by reducing power output to as little as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove was a hit with testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edges of it. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to determine the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" feature lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
In addition the hob also has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you if there is any risk of fire or burnt-on food. There are several safety features like a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a CleanProtect protective coating. The hob comes with nine power levels and an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to allow for large pans, and is easy to install. There are a host of bonus features, such as control locks and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit here are the findings -Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create a magnetic field when a pan is placed on the top. This means they can heat up much quicker than conventional gas hobs, and also save energy as the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are simpler to clean, which makes them a popular choice.
Indesit's induction hob is full of features to help you be creative when cooking. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boiling point quickly. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals by pressing the button. Nine power modes including a 'P-boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are also easy to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. However it took a long time to cool down after we shut off the hob. Additionally, our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function that allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the oven 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 wipe clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of 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 required two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a kitchen appliance think about how it will fit to your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and lifestyle. Induction hobs are an excellent choice if you cook with children or older people in mind. They have safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal alternative. For those who live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power outages could tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.