The Most Hilarious Complaints We've Received About Best Hob
How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob to buy there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is crucial.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with touch controls that sit flush with the worktop for easy use.
The controls were easy to use, and we liked the display that shows the current power level and the zone that is in use. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short period of time. It is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil quickly. The hob's light that is hot and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.
It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, compared with six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, meaning you may need to alter settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.
The model in 60 cm includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. It features a dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal' and 'boost' power levels. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing pots of water to the rapid boil.
It is fully integrated with the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 unique programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, ovens hobs can automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans made by third-party manufacturers and comes with a number of safety features like a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models are now sold for less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth paying more for the most up-to-date technology.
This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots with a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically activates the appropriate zone.
Smeg's focus on energy saving does not leave out flexibility too - this hob is designed to save power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking needs. 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 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove was a hit with testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's edge 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 to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting, boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
The oven also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you if there's a danger of a meal that's been burned or the possibility of a fire. There are Continue of safety features, like a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains and features a protective coating of CleanProtect. This model has nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is easy to put in. There are several bonus 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 generate magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They are able to heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they also use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are simpler to clean making them a popular option.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook with perfection with the click of the button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to follow your pans.
The controls are also easy to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. However it took a long time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob. Additionally, our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
In addition to the Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It comes with a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off system which stops the hob from working when it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no visible flames. Our testers liked the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is located on the surface. Our experts believed that the duct of this hob was simple to keep clean, although it required two people to lift the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
When selecting a kitchen appliance, consider how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and lifestyle. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as automatic shut-off and cool to the touch surface may make an induction hob the best option. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the best alternative. Gas hobs are a good choice for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.