How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs, which are also well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones, three 'Push&Go" functions, and will help you prepare quick meals. It was also among the most efficient tested to boil water, taking less than four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls are easy to operate and we loved the clear display which tells you the current power settings, and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob and automatic shutoff are useful.
However it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, as opposed to six or seven for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings multiple times to get the right heat.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat and searing it, or bring water to a fast boil.
It is fully connected to the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 different programs that are divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a multislider control panel with a "lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third parties and has various security features, including the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or are looking for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system, it's worth paying extra for the most up-to-date technology.
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 with minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to reduce energy consumption by reducing power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed by the user-friendly interface of this hob that has intuitive controls that slide along the edge of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme allows you to easily identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function lets you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful functions, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
In addition the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' that warns you if there is any risk of fire or burnt-on food. There are several safety features such as the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface is too hot.
It also has an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough stains and cooking marks. This model has nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are some additional features like lockable controls, and 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 make use of copper plates to generate magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They heat up faster than gas hobs and they use less energy since the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.
Indesit's induction hob is full of features to help you get creative in the 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. Best ovens UK &Go, for example, allows you to cook perfectly with the click of one button. Nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the cooktop to follow the pans.
The controls are also simple to use and have an elegant, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up after placing an oven on the Booster zone. However, it took an extended time to cool down once we turned off the hob and our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also comes with an overheating and child lock block as well as an auto switch-off system that stops the appliance from working when it's overheated. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our testers were impressed by that. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room through a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, but it required two people in order to remove the filter.
4. Induction Hob by GE
When selecting a hob, consider how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and life. 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. If you prefer efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is a great choice. For those who live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.