Three Reasons To Identify Why Your Best Hob Isn't Working (And How To Fix It)
How to Choose the Best HobWhen deciding on the best hob, there are many factors to consider. From cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are essential is vital.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model that comes with numerous features. Gas hobs, which are also popular and provide excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are a different alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones with three "Push&Go" functions, and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was one of the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with the controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit flush with the worktop for easy use.
The controls were simple to operate and we loved the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is active. The "Boost" feature creates high-powered heat in a short time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. The hob's light that is hot and auto shut-off are great security features, too.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses of the control to attain the highest temperature compared with seven or six on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you alter the temperature of cooking, which means you may need to alter settings several times before your pan reaches the right heat.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. It features a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal as well as 'boost' power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat while searing it or making water come to a quick boiling.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 unique programmes split into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel that has a lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third-party manufacturers and comes with a number of safety features such as the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or searching for a non-gas option. Prices have slashed dramatically over the last few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth the extra cost to get the latest technology.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology to make cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have dimensions of at least 9 cm and automatically selects the appropriate zone.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency doesn't overlook flexibility either The hob is built to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones to meet your cooking needs. Eco-Logic advanced mode enables you to save 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 move along the edges of the hob to follow the pan. The control panel's colour scheme lets you quickly see the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect 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.
Additionally the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you when there is a risk of fire or burnt-on food. There are a variety of safety features such as a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off if the surface becomes too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. This hob is easy to install and features nine power levels as well as an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are a few bonus features such as lockable controls, and a safety fuse to prevent accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They use copper plates to create a magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. They are able to heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they use less energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to operate than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to allow you to be creative when cooking. It comes with two cooking zones that can be combined to form an Integrated Zone for larger pans and a rapid Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook perfectly by pressing the button. And nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the cooktop to follow the pans.
The controls are easy to use, and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan once we put it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. However, it took some time to cool off after we turned off the hob and our testers found it difficult to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has the bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and there are no visible flames. Our test subjects were pleased with the fact that there was no visible flame. Unlike a traditional extractor hood vented hobs draw heat and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people in order to remove the filter.
4. Induction Hob by GE
Consider how the hob will work with your kitchen's layout and design as well as what your cooking style. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off best oven and an icy to the touch surface can make an induction hob the best option. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the best option. Gas hobs are a good choice for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.