How to Choose the Best Hob

When choosing the best ovens and hobs hob for your needs, there are many factors to consider. From price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are essential is vital.

A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as little as PS100, but you'll need to pay more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are also a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're also pricier.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones with three 'Push&Go" functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It has an child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.

Its style is sleek and contemporary and blends well with modern kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit directly on the worktop.

The controls are intuitive to use, and we appreciated the clear display which tells you the current power settings, and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a short period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. The hob's hot light and automatic shutdown are useful security features, too.

However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs oven we tested. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, as opposed 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 to achieve the correct heat.

This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying and searing meat, or bringing pots of water to the rapid boiling point.

It's fully connected through the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 special programs divided into different food categories and preparation styles. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third parties and has various safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Whether you're having work done in your kitchen, or seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have slashed dramatically over the past few years. Basic four-zone models are now sold at less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that include induction, it's worth paying extra to get the latest technology.

This slick-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction tech to keep your cooking efficient and easy. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots with an overall diameter of at least 9cm and automatically selects the appropriate zone.

Smeg's primary focus is on energy savings but it doesn't forget the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the highest operating temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan along the edges of it. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to determine the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.

The oven also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you when there's a risk of a meal that's been burned or a fire. There are also several safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface becomes too hot.

It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a protective coating of CleanProtect. This hob is easy to set up and comes with nine power levels and a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are some additional features, such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to protect against accidental pressing of buttons.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They utilize copper plates to create a magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. This means that they can heat up faster than gas hobs, and also conserve energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also easier to clean.

This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined into the 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 lets you create perfectly cooked meals at the touch of the button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to select nine power modes including the P boost option that gives maximum power in each zone for five minutes.

The controls are easy to use, and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up after placing an oven on the Booster zone. It took a while for it to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our test subjects could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel.

In addition to a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the Oven (Ovenshobs78882.Activosblog.Com) from operating when it becomes too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass is easy to clean. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room via a duct on 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 GE

Consider how the stove will fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a good option if you cook with children or the elderly 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 using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the best choice. Gas hobs are an excellent option for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.