3 Common Causes For Why Your Best Hob Isn't Working (And How To Fix It)
How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are important is crucial.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs just PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs, which are well-known and offer excellent temperature control but are more expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this hob from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with the controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features control buttons 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 which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a brief period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil quickly. The hot hob light and automatic shutdown are useful security features, too.
It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. We found that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, compared with seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct temperature.
This 60 cm model features 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 has a dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal' and 'boost power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat while searing it or bring water to a fast boil.
It is fully connected to the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 different programs that are divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by third party companies and has various security features, including the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have slashed in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to activate the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility This hob is designed to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking needs. There are other options to save even more energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edges of it. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting, boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
In addition the hob comes with an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you if there is any risk of fire or food that has been burned. There are many safety features such as a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface is too hot.
It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a CleanProtect protective coating. The hob is simple to set up and features nine power levels as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering for large pans. There are also a variety of bonus features, including locking controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to create magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. This means they can reach temperatures faster than gas hobs, and also save energy as the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are easier to clean making them an extremely popular option.
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 a rapid Booster zone to bring water to the boil quickly. ovens and hobs uk of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals with the click of the button. There are nine power modes that include a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to track your pans.
The controls are also simple to use and have modern, minimalist designs that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone and boiled pasta water. However, it took some time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob. Our testers were unable to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
As well as having a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It also has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers liked that. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room by an air duct that is located on the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to clean, even though it took two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Think about how the hob will be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and cool to the touch surface could make an induction cooker the best 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 good alternative for those living in areas susceptible to power outages.