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How to Choose the Best Hob

There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the best hob, from the price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital.

A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However, you will need to pay more for one with numerous features. Gas hobs uk are another popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier hob 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 in a snap without having to mess with controls.

Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features controls that are flush with the worktop to make it easy to use.

The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display that tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a brief period of time, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the hot hob light or automatic shut-off are also beneficial.

However it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react when you change the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings a few times before you get the proper temperature.

The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The dual-ring design allows it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing pans of water to the rapid boiling point.

It's fully connected via the hOn app, and offers hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 unique programs that are divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the right cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn pans made by third party companies and has a number of security features, including the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs oven are becoming increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free option. Prices have slashed dramatically over the last few years. The basic four-zone models are now available for less that PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it's worth paying a little more.

This sleek model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.

Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility The hob is built to conserve power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking needs. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to save more energy, reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.

The user-friendly interface of this stove was a hit with testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan along the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to determine the state of each zone. The "Flexi duo" function lets you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.

In addition the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you of any danger of a burning or burning food. There are many safety features, including a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off when the surface becomes too hot.

It also resists tough stains and features a protective coating of CleanProtect. The hob is simple to set up oven and hob features nine power levels as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering to large pans. There are also a variety of extra features, like control locks and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. This means they can reach temperatures faster than gas ovens hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to operate than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.

Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to help you develop your cooking ideas. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans as well as a rapid Booster zone that can bring water to boiling point quickly. A range of functions that are automatic like Push&Go allow you to create perfectly cooked meals by pressing the button. The controls are easy to operate and let you select nine power modes, including the P boost option that gives maximum power in each zone for five minutes.

The controls are also simple to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. However it took some time to cool down after we shut off the hob. Our testers found it difficult to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also comes with the bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It comes with a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room by a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter out to change it.

4. Induction Hob manufactured by General Electric

Think about how the hob can be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as the style of cooking you prefer. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features such as an automatic shut-off feature and a cool to the touch surface may make an induction cooker an ideal option. For those who value speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the best option. Gas hobs are a good option for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.