How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, which are also popular and offer great temperature control, but are more expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was also among the quickest tested to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. ovens and hobs 's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has control buttons that sit on top of the worktop to allow to make it easy to use.
The controls were simple to use, and we liked the display that displays the current power level as well as which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for just a short period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil quickly. Safety features like the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are useful.
However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react to changes in temperature. You may have to adjust the settings multiple times before you get the proper heat.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. Dual-ring design permits it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat, searing it or quickly bringing water to a rapid boil.
It is fully connected through the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 special programs that are divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third parties and has a number of safety features like a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or are looking for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models are now sold 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 the extra cost to get the latest technology.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology that makes your cooking efficient and easy. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to switch on the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's attention to energy savings doesn't overlook flexibility either The hob is built to save power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking preferences. There are 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 2 kW.
Testers were impressed by the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that slide along the edge of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's colour scheme lets you quickly see the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pots. There are numerous useful functions including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The oven also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you in the event of a meal that's been burned or a fire. There are a variety of safety features such as a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. The hob is simple to set up and has nine power levels and a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are also a variety of additional features, like control locks and an emergency 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 an electric field when the pan is placed on the top. They can heat up much quicker than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas and they are also less difficult to clean.
Indesit's induction hob is full of features to allow you to get creative in the cooking. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, lets you cook flawlessly by pressing one button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to choose nine power options, including a P boost setting which gives the highest power to each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also easy to use and have a modern, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. It took a while for it to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our test subjects were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also features a bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven from operating when it becomes too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via a duct in the surface. Our experts believed that this hob's duct was easy to clean, though it required two people to take the filter to change it.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
Consider how the hob will fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a good choice if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They have safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the best alternative. If you live in areas prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs during power outages could make the difference in favor of gas models.