How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob for your needs there are a lot of aspects to consider. From price to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs just PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model that comes with numerous features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones and three "Push&Go" functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It has an child lock and the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls.
Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has control buttons that sit in the same place as the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls were easy to use and we appreciated the display that shows the current power level and the zone that is currently in use. The 'Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and rapidly boiling pans. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot and automatic shutoff are beneficial.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs we tested. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to attain the highest temperature as opposed to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react when you alter the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings several times before you get the proper heat.
This 60 cm model has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. It has dual-ring design and can function on 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 integrated with the hOn app and boasts hundreds of recipes that include cooking instructions and 30 different programmes split into different food categories and preparation types. It has a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that can identify the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of safety features, such as a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen, or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots that have a minimum diameter of 9cm, which allows you to activate the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to save more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed by the user-friendly interface of this hob with easy-to-use controls that move along the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. 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 together to cater for larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The oven also comes with an alarm system that will notify you in the event of a burnt-on meal or an igniting fire. There are also several safety features, like a residual heat indicator as well as an auto switch-off if the surface becomes too hot.
It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard stains and cooking marks. This hob is easy to install and features nine power levels and an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are some additional features like lockable controls, and an emergency fuse to stop accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. This means that they can reach a temperature more quickly than gas hobs. They can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on a pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too making them a popular choice.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features that will allow you to be creative when cooking. It has two separate zones which can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a rapid booster zone to quickly bring water to a boil. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go let you create perfectly cooked meals with the click of the button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to choose nine power options, including the P boost option that provides maximum power to each zone for five minutes.
The controls are also easy to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. However, it took some time to cool down once it was turned off from the hob and our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
In addition to the Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from working when it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers liked that. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room via a duct located on the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, but it required two people to remove the filter.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a kitchen appliance, consider how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and lifestyle. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such best hob as an automatic shut-off or cool to the touch surface could make an induction hob an ideal choice. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. For those living in regions that are prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs during power cuts may make the difference in favor of gas models.