How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs just PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs, which are also 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 will allow you to cook quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for ease of use.
The controls are easy to operate and we loved the clear display which tells the current power setting and which of the five zones is active. The "Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a brief time. It is perfect for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. The hob's hot light and auto shut-off are great security features, too.
However it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses of the control to reach 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. It is possible to adjust the settings multiple times to achieve the correct heat.
The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. It features a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal' and 'boost power levels. Ovens And Hobs is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing pans of water to the rapid boiling point.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 unique programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it will automatically recognize the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety of safety features, like an adjustable control panel that locks 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 slashed dramatically over the last few years. The basic four-zone models are now sold at less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a little more.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the location of pots that have minimum diameters of 9 cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy savings but it doesn't forget flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to save more energy by reducing power output to as little as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed by the hob's user-friendly design that has intuitive controls that move along the edges of the hob in order to follow the pan. The color scheme of the control panel lets you quickly see the status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are plenty of useful functions, including four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
Additionally the hob comes with an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you if there is any risk of a fire or food that has been burned. There are other safety features, like a residual heat indicator as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface becomes too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has a CleanProtect protective coating. This model has nine power levels as well as the FlexiDuo feature to allow for large pans, and is simple to set up. There are also a variety of additional features, like control locks 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 make use of copper plates to create magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means they can heat up much quicker than conventional gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to clean, which makes them a popular choice.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a rapid booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection with the click of a button. The controls are simple to use and let you select nine power options, including the P boost option that provides maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also simple to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. However, it took a long time to cool down once we turned off the hob and our test participants were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic shut-off mechanism that stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no visible flames. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room by an air duct that is located on the surface. Our experts thought that the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When choosing a new hob, consider how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and your lifestyle. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features like an automatic shut-off feature and cool to the touch surface may make an induction hob an ideal choice. If you prioritize speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is ideal. Gas hobs are an excellent option for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.