How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob, there are many factors to take into account. From cost to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100, but you'll need to spend more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs, also well-known and offer excellent temperature control but are more expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around using controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit flush on the worktop.
The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display that informs you the current power settings, and which of the five zones are in use. The "Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a brief time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. The hob's hot light and the automatic shutoff are helpful 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 achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react to changes in temperature. You may need to adjust the settings multiple times to get the right temperature.
This 60 cm model includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. It comes with dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal as well as 'boost power levels. It is perfect for cooking meat, searing it or bringing pans of water to the rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected to the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It features a simple multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. In addition, it is able to automatically detect the kind of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third parties and has 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 looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have slashed in the last few years, with basic four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth the extra cost.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes your cooking efficient and easy. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically selects the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's attention to energy savings does not leave out flexibility too This hob is designed to conserve power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking needs. There are also options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 4 kW.
Testers were impressed with the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that move across the edge of the hob in order to follow the pan. The control panel's color scheme lets you quickly see the operational status of each zone, while the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pots. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
The hob also comes with an alarm system that will notify you if there's a danger of a meal that's been burned or a fire. There are also several safety features, like a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface is too hot.
It also resists tough stains and features a protective coating of CleanProtect. The stove is simple to set up and has nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are a host of additional features, like 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 a magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. They heat up faster than gas hobs and they also consume less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as a speedy booster zone that can quickly bring water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook perfectly with the click of a button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to choose nine power modes including a P boost setting that provides maximum power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. However, it took a long time to cool down after we turned off the hob. Additionally, our testers found it difficult to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block and an auto shut-off feature that shuts down the hob when it's overheated. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via an air duct on the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, but it required two people to remove the filter.
4. best oven
When selecting a hob think about how it will fit to your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and life. Induction hobs are an excellent choice if you cook with kids or elderly in mind. They come 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 wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is a great choice. For those living in regions prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs during power outages may tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.