Can Best Hob Always Rule The World?
How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs less than PS100. However you'll need to pay more for one with numerous features. Gas hobs, which are popular and provide 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 will allow you to cook quick meals. It was also among the most efficient on test to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to mess around using controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary and blends well with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls were easy to use and we loved the display that displays the current power level and the zone that is active. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. Safety features like the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also useful.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs 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 react when you alter the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings several times before you get the proper heat.
This 60 cm model has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. It features a dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal' and 'boost' power levels. Boost is ideal for frying and searing meat, or bringing water pans to the rapid boiling point.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 special programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation styles. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set up the correct cooking mode. hobs oven 's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or searching for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a bit more.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency does not leave out flexibility too The hob is built to save power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed with the user-friendly interface of this hob that has intuitive controls that move across the edge of the hob in order to follow the pan. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to determine the status of each zone. hobs and ovens "Flexi Duo" feature lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, such as four automatic cooking presets (melting, boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
Additionally the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you if there is any risk of fire or food that has been burned. There are other safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. The hob comes with nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is simple to set up. There are also a number of bonus features, such as lockable controls and an emergency 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 magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs and they also use less energy because the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive than gas, and they're easier to clean, which makes them an extremely popular option.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to help you be creative when cooking. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as an instant booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. The Push&Go feature, for instance, allows you to cook perfectly at the touch a button. And nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the cooktop to follow your pans.
The controls are easy to use and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a snap and was quick to heat up when we put an oven on the Booster zone. However it took an extended time to cool off after we turned off the hob and our test participants were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
In addition to a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off system which prevents the oven from working if it gets too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there weren't any messy, visible flames 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 through a duct in the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it required two people to take the filter out.
4. Induction Hob by GE
Consider how the stove will work with 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 like an automatic shut-off feature and an icy to the touch surface can make an induction hob the best choice. If you prioritize speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is a great choice. Gas hobs are a good alternative for those living in areas prone to power outages.