The Ultimate Guide To Best Hob
How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs as little as PS100. However you'll have to pay more for one with many features. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this stove from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was also among the most efficient tested to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls.
Its design is modern and sleek and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for easy use.
The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display that informs the current power setting, and which of the five zones are in use. The "Boost" feature creates powerful heat in a short time. It's ideal for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. Safety features such as the hot hob light or automatic shut-off are also beneficial.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs we tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, in contrast to six or seven on other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, so you might have to alter settings several times before the pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It features dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal and boost power levels. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing water pans to a rapid boiling point.
It's fully connected through the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programmes split into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it is able to automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set up the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third parties and has several security features, including the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen or seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed dramatically over the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now available at 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-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are also options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove was a hit with testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan along the edge of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to determine the status of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function allows the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
In addition to this the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you when there is a danger of a burning or burning food. There are many safety features, including a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface becomes too hot.
It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob has nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' to allow for large pans, and is easy to install. There are also a number of extra features, like control locks and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on top. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs and they also use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too and that's why they're an extremely popular choice.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to help you be creative when cooking. It has two 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. The Push&Go feature, for instance, allows you to cook perfectly with the click of the button. The controls are simple to operate and let you select nine power options, including the P boost option that provides maximum power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also simple to operate and feature a modern, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. However, it took an extended time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob and our testers found it difficult to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with the bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It comes with a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the glass is easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room via an air duct that is built into the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, but it took two people in order to take the filter out.
4. ovens by General Electric
When choosing a new hob, consider how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and life. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features like automatic shut-off and an icy to the touch surface may make an induction hob a better option. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the best choice. If you live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.