How to Choose the best oven Hob

When choosing the best hobs uk hob to buy there are a lot of aspects to take into account. From cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.

A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to spend more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are a popular choice and provide great temperature control, however they are more expensive.

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 also among the fastest tests to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It has a child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.

Its design is sleek, contemporary and blends well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest in a flush position on the countertop.

The controls are intuitive to operate and we loved the clear display which tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for just a short period of time, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil fast. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shut-off are also beneficial.

However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings several times to achieve the correct temperature.

This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. Dual-ring design permits it to operate with both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat while searing it or bring water to a fast boiling.

It is fully integrated with the hOn App and has 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 different programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set up the proper cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third parties ovens and hobs uk has a number of security features, including a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or searching for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now available for less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth paying a little more.

This sleek-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically activates the appropriate zone.

Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the highest temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.

The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, with its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to determine the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" feature lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.

The hob also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you if there's a danger of a meal that's been burned or the possibility of a fire. There are several safety features such as a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface becomes too hot.

It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a protective coating of CleanProtect. The stove is simple to install and comes with nine power levels as well as an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are also a number of extra features, like control locks and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is set on the top. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are simpler to clean, which makes them an extremely popular option.

Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features to allow you to be creative when cooking. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pans as well as a rapid Booster zone to bring water to the boil quickly. A range of functions that are automatic such as Push&Go lets you cook your food perfectly by pressing one button. And nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which move across the bottom of the cooktop to follow your pans.

The controls are also easy to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. However, it took some time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob and our test participants were unable to determine the precise temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also features a bridge function, which allows you to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block and an auto switch-off system that stops the hob working when it's overheated. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers liked the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room via a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter out and change it.

4. GE Induction Hob

Consider how the stove will work with the layout and design of your kitchen and what your cooking style is. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and cool to the touch surface could make an induction stove the best choice. Alternatively, for those who prioritize speed and efficiency, an electric stove oven with hob a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is a great choice. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.