Choosing the Best Hob
The choice of the right hob is contingent on your preferences for cooking and the space available. The type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are also important considerations when selecting the best hob.
If you opt for a brand-name model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are easier to clean, and include a variety of safety features like an indicator that glows red when they are hot.
1. Flexibility
A versatile hob can help you to achieve your goals, whether it's improving your pancake making technique or cooking a quick meal for the midweek. The best hobs offer precise heat control, two wok burners, and a huge cooking surface. They're ideal for a variety of recipes. These hobs can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. Additionally, many have the option of adding an extractor fan built-in that eliminates the need for a separate overhead appliance and freeing space on your worktop.
Gas hobs are able to provide instant heat. They're no wonder they are popular. Gas hobs require regular cleaning in order to avoid carbon buildup and fires. They also take longer to heat water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the cooker surface They are, therefore, easier to keep clean. However, they can be more expensive than gas hobs, as their glossy surfaces can show up scratches and fingerprints more easily.
Hybrid hobs integrate gas and induction cooking into a single product. You can switch between the two modes based on the food you're cooking. They're great for people who enjoy flexing their culinary skills but don't have the space or time for a major kitchen upgrade.
This electric hob is an excellent model that provides flexibility in design and function. The dual flex zones can be used to accommodate larger pots or pans. The controls also have the option of a child lock to prevent children changing the settings. Additionally, it can be connected to a smart hub which allows you to manage its functions from your smartphone.
Smeg's induction cooktop is a top-quality model that can be connected to your home WiFI network. It's packed with features that help cook faster and more efficiently with features like automatic pan detection and PowerBoost, as well as a timer and the ability to pause. It's also super-easy to use, with touch controls that react immediately to your changes and a sleek design that could look great in modern kitchens.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs consume as little energy as possible when you're simmering soup or bringing water up to boil. This means that they're an excellent choice for those who want to cut down on their energy bills. Induction hobs are the most efficient type, using electromagnetic fields to heat your pan directly to ensure that your glass stays cool. This makes them the most secure choice to avoid burns from accidental accidents. Although gas hobs may not be as efficient, they can be less expensive to run than electric models.
The Miele I Flex induction hob is our top pick. It offers a lot of flexibility due to the 'I Flex zone. This allows you to merge two cooking zones together into one big area so you can use big saucepans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls prevents children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is an excellent feature for families with young children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it's easy to clean with just a wipe.
The Hob also has the 'Pan detection function' that automatically turns off power to a particular cooking zone when removing a pan. It's not the only hob with this feature, but it's a great addition to simplify your life if you cook for a large family or group of friends.
This is a smart hob that connects to the internet to allow you to manage it through an app on your smartphone or tablet. It will even notify you when your food is ready, so that you don't overcook it. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in only four minutes, which is extremely fast for an Induction hob. It has cooking zones that are flexible that can be combined and an "Stop & Go' button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting making it easy to switch off.
This induction hob is portable and has a slim design that's ideal for camping or taking to university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob we tested, yet it comes with all of our cooking features and a responsive slider. It also comes with an integrated 'VaryCook' feature that lets you vary the temperature by moving your pan up and down the hob's surface, which is perfect for making sauces or caramel.
3. Convenience
When selecting a new kitchen appliance, you'll have to consider how it will fit into your kitchen design and what it will add to the efficiency of your home. This will help narrow down your choices so that you can select a model that's ideal for your family as well as your home. It's important to read reviews to find out what others have to say about the appliance. this can help you to discern its strengths and weaknesses better.
Some hob brands are renowned for their advanced technology, making them the ideal choice for those who wish to control cooking with their smartphone. For example Samsung's models have electronic timers that let you to determine precise cooking times and avoid overcooking. This is especially beneficial for people with hectic lives, since the timer will ensure that your meals are cooked when they should be, without having to constantly monitor them.
Gas hobs are a good choice for those looking for a more traditional feel. They are able to cook using a wide range of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed cookware and pans, which may be difficult to accommodate on other hobs. Plus, gas hobs often offer a range of settings, so you can alter the heat to suit the pan you are using or your recipe.
Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models and provide faster heat-up times they are also an option for those who are looking to modernize a kitchen. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are especially popular because they save space by condensing the oven and the hob in one unit.
A child lock is a different feature to be on the lookout for. It lets you block controls on a stove and shields children from kitchen accidents. This is a crucial feature for families with young children, since it can aid in avoiding burns and other injuries. Additionally, many induction hobs have a function that lets you connect two zones to create a larger cooking space This can be helpful if you're using large pans.
4. Safety
A good hob will have many safety features. A hot hob indicator will inform you when the surface of the stove is hot. This will help avoid accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs also come with an option for a child lock to prevent children from turning the stove on or altering its settings. Certain hobs come with a feature that allows you merge two cooking zones to create an additional zone, meaning you can cook ovens hobs a wide pan.
This is a great feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is safe. It operates by monitoring the temperature of the cooktop and if it detects that the pan isn't set correctly or there's a fire it will shut off the burner instantly. It's a great method to ensure that your home is secure, and it's something you should think about when shopping.
There are a variety of different types of hobs that you can pick from that include electric, gas and induction. Gas hobs use a flame for heating your pans. Electric hobs have electronic rings that can be controlled by pressing the button. Then there is the induction hob which uses magnets to heat your pans. It will not turn on until you put a magnetizable metal pan on it. This is a very efficient hob, and will cool quickly when the pan is removed.
This kind of hob can be a space saver as it eliminates the need for an extractor fan, which means you can have a sleek kitchen design. It can be more expensive than other types of hobs but it is a fantastic choice for any home. It can be used to remove excessive steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can enhance the air quality at home. This is a fantastic choice for families as it is easy to clean and guards against burns. There are many different options to think about when choosing a hob, so take the time to study each one prior to making your choice.