How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob to buy there are a lot of aspects to consider. From price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost just PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model that comes with numerous features. Gas hobs are another popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions, and will assist you in making quick meals. It was also one of the quickest 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 fiddle around with the controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. It is typically made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit flush on the worktop.
The controls are easy to operate and we loved the clear display that informs you the current power settings and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil fast. Safety features like the hot hob light or automatic shutdown are also useful.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs we tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, as opposed to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the cooking temperature, so you may have to change settings several times before the pan reaches the right heat.
This 60 cm model includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking meat, searing it or bringing water pans to the rapid boil.
It is fully integrated with the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 different programs that are divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface and a 'lockable' control panel, plus it can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and has a range of safety features, such as an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth the extra cost.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have dimensions of at least 9cm and automatically selects the appropriate zone.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save even more energy by 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 hob was a hit with testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan along the edge of it. The color scheme of the control panel allows you to quickly determine the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pots. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The oven also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you if there's a danger of a food item being burned or a fire. There are a variety of safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with the CleanProtect coating that is designed to protect it from tough staining and cooking marks. This model has nine power levels, the FlexiDuo feature to allow for large pans, and is simple to set up. There are some additional features like lockable controls, and a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They use copper plates to generate magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs and they also consume less energy since the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are easier to clean making them an extremely popular choice.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans as well as an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to a boil quickly. A range of automatic functions such as Push&Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals with the click of one button. The controls are simple to use and allow you to choose nine power modes including a P boost setting that provides maximum power to each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also simple to operate and feature a modern, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. It took a while to cool down after turning off the hob, and our test subjects had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic shut-off mechanism that stops the hob 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 wipe clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, 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 is easy to clean, but it required two people in order to take the filter out.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by General Electric
Consider how the hob will work with your kitchen's layout and design and the style of cooking you prefer. Induction hobs are a good choice if you cook with children or older people in mind. They have safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. Alternatively, for those who prioritize speed and efficiency, an electric stove with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is ideal. Gas hobs are an excellent option for those who live in areas prone to power outages.