How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.
A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as little as PS100, but you'll need to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs, which are popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones with three 'Push&Go" functions and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features control buttons that sit on top of the worktop to allow for easy use.
The controls are simple to use, and we appreciated the clear display that informs you the current power setting, and which of the five zones are in use. The "Boost" feature creates powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and quickly boiling pans. Safety features like the hob light that is hot and automatic shutoff are useful.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, so you may need to alter settings several times before the pan reaches the right heat.
This 60 cm model includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. It comes with dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal as well as 'boost power levels. Boost is ideal for frying meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to the rapid boil.
It's fully connected through the hOn app and boasts 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation types. It has a multislider control panel with a "lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and has a range of security features, including an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models can be found at less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth paying more for the latest innovations.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9 cm and automatically will activate the appropriate zone.
Smeg's focus on energy saving doesn't overlook flexibility either - this hob is designed to conserve power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking needs. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to reduce energy consumption by reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed by the hob's user-friendly design, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edges of the hob to follow the pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" feature lets you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
Additionally the hob also has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you if there is any danger of a burning or burning food. There are a variety of safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off if the surface is too hot.
It also resists hard stains and comes with an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. This model has nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are also a number of extra features, such as control locks and a safety fuse in case of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to generate an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They heat up faster than gas hobs and they use less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too, which makes them a popular choice.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that make it ovens hobs easy to get creative in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pots and a rapid Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you cook your food perfectly by pressing a button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to select nine power modes, including the P boost option that provides maximum power to 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 cooked pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up after placing an oven in the Booster zone. However, it took some time to cool down once it was turned off from the hob and our test participants were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has the bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and an overheating block as well as an auto switch-off system that stops the appliance from working when it's heated to the point of. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers liked that. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room via a duct located on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, but it required two people in order to take the filter out.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
Consider how the hob will fit into the layout and design of your kitchen and what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are a great choice for cooking with children or older people in mind. They have safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the best option. If you live in areas that are prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs in power outages could tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.