How to Choose the Best Hob
When choosing the best hob there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones, three 'Push&Go" functions and can assist you in making 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 pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to mess around with the controls.
Its style is modern and sleek and blends well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features control buttons that sit in the same place as the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls were simple to operate, and we liked the display that displays the current power level as well as which zone is active. The "Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a brief time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily bringing pans to boil. Safety features like the light on the hot hob and automatic shutoff are useful.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to seven or six for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings several times to get the right heat.
This model is 60cm long and comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying meat, searing it or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point.
It's fully connected via the hOn app and comes with hundreds of recipes that include cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. Additionally, it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of safety features, such as a lockable control panel 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 alternative. Prices have slashed in the last few years, with basic four-zone models available for less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system, it's worth paying extra to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology to make cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have a diameter of at least 9cm and automatically selects the appropriate zone.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency doesn't overlook flexibility either This hob is designed to reduce power consumption by oven and hob setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking requirements. There are other options to save even more energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 4 kW.
Testers were impressed with the hob's user-friendly design, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edges of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's colour scheme helps you quickly identify the status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are many useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
Additionally the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you of any risk of fire or food that has been burned. There are other safety features, like a residual heat indicator as well as an auto switch-off if the surface gets too hot.
It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough marks and stains from cooking. This hob is easy to set up and has nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are several bonus features such as lockable controls, and a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They use copper plates to create an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means that they can reach temperatures faster than gas hobs, and can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to run than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form an Integrated Zone for larger pans as well as an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to the boiling point quickly. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection at the touch a button. And nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily set using the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are easy to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiling pasta water. It took a while to cool down after we turned 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 that allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off system which prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by that. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room via a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to clean, even though it required two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Think about how the hob will fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a good choice for cooking with children or older people in mind. They come with safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. For those who prefer speed and efficiency, an electric stove with a clean ceramic glass facia is a great choice. For those who live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs in power outages may make the difference in favor of a gas model.