How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob there are a variety of factors to consider. From price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are important is crucial.
A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as little as PS100 however, you'll have to spend more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs, which are also well-known and offer excellent temperature control but are more expensive, are another option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this cooker from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with a child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary, blending in well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls are easy to use, and we appreciated the clear display that tells you the current power settings, and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature produces 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 safety features, too.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. We found that it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, compared with six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the cooking temperature, meaning you might have to alter settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.
The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It has dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal' and 'boost' power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat and searing it, or making water come to a quick boiling.
It's fully connected via the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes with cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and preparation types. It features a multislider controls panel with a 'lockable interface' that detects the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with various security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
When you're doing work in your kitchen, or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, they are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed dramatically over the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found at 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 that makes your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to activate the appropriate zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's main focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to reduce energy consumption by reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were awed by the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that slide across the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function lets you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
In addition to this, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you when there is a risk of a fire or food that has been burned. There are go to this site , including an indicator of residual heat and an auto switch-off if the surface gets too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough staining and cooking marks. The hob is simple to set up and has nine power levels, as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are also a variety of additional features, like locking controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is set on top. This means that they can reach temperatures much quicker than conventional gas hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too making them an extremely popular choice.
Indesit's induction hob is full of features to help you be creative when cooking. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pots and an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to the boil quickly. A range of automatic functions like Push&Go allow you to achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of one button. The controls are easy to operate and let you select nine power options, including a P boost setting that provides maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to use, and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan after we placed 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. Additionally, our testers found it difficult to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also features the bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers liked the fact that there was no visible flame. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw heat and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to clean, even though it took two people to lift the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob by GE
Consider how the stove can be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style is. For instance, if often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface may make an induction stove a better choice. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal option. If you live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs in power outages could tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.