12 Companies Leading The Way In Best Hob
12 Companies Leading The Way In Best Hob
Blog Article
How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are also a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this cooker from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has controls that are flush with the worktop for easy use.
The controls are easy to use and we liked the clear display that tells the current power setting and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a short period of time, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to the boil quickly. Safety features like the hot hob light or automatic shut-off are also beneficial.
However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, as opposed to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react when you change the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings multiple times to get the right heat.
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 pots or pans. It features a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal and boost' power levels. It is perfect for cooking, searing meat or bringing pots of water to a rapid boiling point.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 unique programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of security features, including the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped in the last few years, with basic four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to switch on the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's focus on energy saving does not leave out flexibility too This hob is designed to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking needs. There are also options to save even more energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 kW.
Testers were awed by the user-friendly interface of this hob with easy-to-use controls that move across the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" feature lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting, boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
The oven also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you if there's a get more info danger of a food item being burned or a fire. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface becomes too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains and features a protective coating of CleanProtect. This hob has nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are also a number of extra features, including 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 and not gas. They make use of copper plates to generate an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They are able to heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they also use less energy because the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They are generally less expensive to run than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pans as well as a rapid Booster zone that can bring water to boiling point quickly. A range of functions that are automatic like Push&Go allow you to achieve perfectly cooked dishes by pressing one button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to choose nine power modes, including a P boost setting that gives maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also simple to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. 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.
In addition to a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no visible flames. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people to take the filter out.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a hob, consider how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and your lifestyle. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features like an automatic shut-off feature and an icy to the touch surface could make an induction hob the best choice. Alternatively, for those who prioritize speed and efficiency, an electric stove with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best choice. For those who live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs during power outages may tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.