How To Resolve Issues With Best Hob

How to Choose the Best Hob

There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are essential is vital.

A basic ceramic electric hob costs as little as PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, however they are pricier.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three  functions called 'Push&Go', this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the most efficient tested to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to mess around using controls.

Its design is modern and sleek, blending in well with modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has control buttons that sit flush with the worktop to make it easy to use.

The controls were simple to operate, and we liked the display which shows the current power level and the zone that is active. The "Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It's ideal for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. The hob's hot light and automatic shutdown are useful security features, too.

It's not as responsive as the other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings multiple times to get the right heat.

This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. It has dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal and boost power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing water pans to a rapid boiling point.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with cooking instructions and 30 different programmes split into different food categories and preparation styles. It has an intuitive multislider interface and a 'lockable' control panel, plus it is able to automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a number of safety features like a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have plummeted in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth paying more for the most up-to-date technology.

This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology to make cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically will activate the zone that is appropriate.

Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency but it doesn't forget the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to conserve more energy, reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.

The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The control panel's color scheme allows you to quickly determine the operational status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are a variety of useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.

The hob also comes with an alarm system that will notify you if there's a danger of a burnt-on meal or the possibility of a fire. There are a variety of safety features, such as an indicator of residual heat and an auto switch-off if the surface becomes too hot.

It also resists tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. This model has nine power levels as well as a 'FlexiDuo feature' to accommodate large pans and is easy to install. There are some additional features like lockable controls, and a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pressing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They utilize copper plates to create an electric force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs and they use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to operate than gas and they are also simpler to clean.

The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans as well as an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook perfectly by pressing one button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to track your pans.

The controls are easy to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and our testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel.

Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven from working when it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to clean.  Ovens & Hobs  in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room via an air duct that is located on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, but it required two people in order to take the filter out.

4. Induction Hob by GE

When choosing a new hob take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and life. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features like automatic shut-off and cool to the touch surface could make an induction hob a better choice. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas prone to power outages.