Who Is Responsible For The Best Hob Budget? 12 Top Ways To Spend Your Money
How to Choose the Best HobWhen choosing the best hob, there are many factors to consider. From price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to spend more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, also popular and provide excellent temperature control but are more expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this hob from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was also one of the quickest tests to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to mess around with controls.
Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for ease of use.
The controls are simple to use and we liked the clear display that tells you the current power settings, and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It's ideal to stir fry and speedily bringing pans to boil. The hot hob light and automatic shutdown are useful security features, too.
It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to attain the highest temperature as opposed to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you might have to alter settings several times before your pan reaches the right heat.
The model in 60 cm has four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking, searing meat or bringing water pans to the rapid boil.
It is fully connected through the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 different programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It features a simple multislider interface as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third-party manufacturers and comes with various security features, including the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped over the past few years, with basic four-zone models available for less than PS100. But if you want 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 model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the location of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, with its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges of it. The control panel's colour scheme allows you to quickly determine the status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pots. There are a variety of useful features, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
The hob also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you in the event of a burnt-on meal or the possibility of a fire. There are a variety of safety features, like a residual heat indicator and an auto switch-off if the surface becomes too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains and features a protective coating of CleanProtect. The stove is simple to set up and comes with nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature that allows catering for large pans. There are also a number of bonus features, such as control locks and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
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 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 are generally cheaper to operate than gas and they are also simpler to clean.
Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features to allow you to be creative when cooking. It comes with two distinct zones that best oven can be combined to form a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go let you create perfectly cooked meals with the click of one button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to choose nine power modes, including a P boost setting that gives maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are easy to use, and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and quickly heated up when we put a pan on the Booster zone. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and the testers could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also features a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the oven from working if it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no visible flames. Our testers liked the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room by a duct on the surface. Our experts thought this hob's duct was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to lift the filter out and change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the stove can be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are an excellent choice if you cook with children or the elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. If you value efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is ideal. Gas hobs are an excellent option for those who live in areas prone to power outages.