How to Choose the Best Hob When choosing the best hob to buy, there are many factors to take into account. From cost to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important. A basic electric ceramic stove could cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are also a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, however they are more expensive. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob This Haier stove has four cooking zones, three 'Push&Go functions, and will assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an pause feature, meaning you can stop the process without having to faff around with the controls. Its design is sleek and modern it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has controls that are flush with the worktop for ease of use. The controls are simple to use, and we appreciated the clear display that tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a short duration, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to the boil quickly. Safety features like the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are beneficial. However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to reach the highest temperature, compared with six or seven on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react to changes in temperature. ovens may need to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct temperature. This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The dual-ring design allows it to operate on both normal and boost power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat while searing it or bring water to a fast boil. It is fully connected to the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 unique programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive multislider interface and 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 cookware from third party companies and has a number of safety features like a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have plummeted over the past few years, with basic four-zone models costing less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it's worth paying a bit more. This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with dimensions of at least 9 centimetres and automatically activates the appropriate zone. Smeg's focus is on energy savings but it doesn't forget the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to save energy 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 reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW. Testers were impressed by this hob's user-friendly interface, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edges of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automatic cooking presets (melting, boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient. In addition to this, the hob has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you when there is a danger of a burning or burning food. There are a variety of safety features, such as a residual heat indicator and an auto switch-off if the surface is too hot. It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough staining and cooking marks. The hob comes with nine power levels and a 'FlexiDuo feature' to allow for large pans, and is simple to set up. There are some additional features such as locking controls and an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pushing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They utilize copper plates to create magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs and they also use less energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to clean, which makes them a popular choice. The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to get creative in the kitchen. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to a boiling point quickly. The Push&Go feature, for instance, lets you cook flawlessly by pressing a button. Nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected using the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to track the 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 flash and was quick to heat up once we placed a pan on the Booster zone. However, it took a long time to cool off after we turned off the hob and our test participants were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel. Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off system which stops the hob from working when it gets too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw heat and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to take the filter out and change it. 4. GE Induction Hob Think about how the hob can work with your kitchen's layout and design as well as what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are a great choice if you cook with kids or elderly in mind. They come with safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. Alternatively, for those who value efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best choice. Gas hobs are a good alternative for those living in areas susceptible to power outages.
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