How to Choose the Best Hob

There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the best ovens uk hob, from the price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is essential.

A basic ceramic electric hob costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs are another popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're also pricier.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones and Best Hobs three 'Push&Go" functions and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with an child lock and the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls.

Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest flush on the worktop.

The controls were easy to operate and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level and which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for just a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. The hob's hot light and the automatic shutoff are helpful security features, too.

However it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs we tested. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, so you might have to alter settings several times before your pan reaches the right heat.

The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It features a dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal' and 'boost' power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat while searing it or bring water to a fast boiling.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes with cooking instructions and 30 different programs that are divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel with a 'lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third parties and has several security features, including a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

If you're working in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth paying more for the latest innovations.

This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.

Smeg's attention to energy savings doesn't overlook flexibility either This hob is designed to reduce power consumption by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.

Testers were impressed with this hob's user-friendly interface with easy-to-use controls that slide along the edge of the hob to follow your pan. The color scheme of the control panel allows you to quickly determine the status of each zone, while the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.

The hob also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you in the event of a food item being burned or a fire. There are other safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an auto switch-off if the surface is too hot.

It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard staining and cooking marks. This model has nine power levels as well as an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is easy to put in. There are a host of extra features, such as control locks and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs (Full Post) use copper plates that create an electric field when the pan is placed on the top. This means they can heat up much quicker than conventional gas hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on a pan. They are generally less expensive to run than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.

This induction hob from Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form an Integrated Zone for larger pans as well as a rapid Booster zone to bring water to the boil quickly. Push&Go, for example, lets you cook flawlessly with the click of the button. The controls are simple to use and let you select nine power options, including the P boost option that provides maximum power to each zone for five minutes.

The controls are easy to use and have a modern, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary 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 once we shut off the hob and our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.

Alongside a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It also has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic shut-off mechanism that stops the oven hob from working when it gets too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to clean. 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 that is built into the surface. Our experts thought that the duct of this hob was simple to keep clean, although it took two people to lift the filter out and change it.

4. Induction Hob by General Electric

When selecting a hob take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and life. Induction hobs are a great choice if you cook with children or older people in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. If you prefer efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is a great choice. For those living in regions that are prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs during power outages may tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.