10 Meetups About Best Hob You Should Attend

How to Choose the Best Hob

There are many 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 hob can cost as little as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are another popular choice, and offer great 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 can help you make quick meals. It was also one of the fastest on test to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.

Its design is sleek and modern it blends seamlessly oven with hob contemporary kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for ease of use.

The controls are easy to use and we liked the clear display which tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of water to the boil quickly. Safety features like the light on the hot hob and Ovens Hobs automatic shutoff are beneficial.

It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, so you may need to alter settings several times before your pan reaches the right heat.

This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. It comes with a dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal' and 'boost power levels. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point.

It's fully connected via the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 unique programmes split into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set up the proper cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn sets and has a range of security features, including a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your Kitchen essentials or looking for a non-gas option. Prices have slashed dramatically over the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now available at less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a little more.

This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have dimensions of at least 9cm and then automatically activates the appropriate zone.

Smeg's main focus is on energy savings but it doesn't forget the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save energy based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.

Testers were impressed with the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edges of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's color scheme helps you quickly identify the status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful features, including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.

Additionally the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you when there is a danger of a burning or burning food. There are several safety features like a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot.

It's also hard-wearing with the CleanProtect coating that is designed to help it resist tough staining and cooking marks. This model has nine power levels, the FlexiDuo feature for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are some additional features, such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to prevent 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 also consume less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are easier to clean, which makes them a popular option.

This induction hob from Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring boiling water to. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go let you achieve perfectly cooked dishes with the click of one button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to select nine power options, including a P boost setting which gives the highest power for each zone for five minutes.

The controls are also simple to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. However, it took an extended time to cool off after it was turned off from the hob. Our testers found it difficult to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock and overheating block, as well as an auto switch-off system that shuts down the hob when it's heated to the point of. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via an air duct that is built into the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, but it took two people to take the filter out.

4. Induction Hob from General Electric

When choosing a new hob, consider how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, as well as your cooking style and lifestyle. Induction hobs are an excellent choice for cooking with children or older people in mind. They have safety features such as 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 place to buy oven and hob choice. For those living in regions prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tip the scales in favour of a gas model.