The Most Hilarious Complaints We've Received About Best Hob
How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob to buy there are a lot of aspects to consider. From cost to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is essential.
A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, however they are pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones with three 'Push&Go" functions, and will assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with a child lock and the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process quickly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek and modern, blending in well with modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit flush with the worktop for easy use.
The controls were simple to use, and we liked the display that shows the current power level and the zone that is active. The "Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a brief time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily bringing pans to boil. The hob's hot light and auto shut-off are great security features, too.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. We observed that it took nine presses of the control to reach the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, so you might have to alter settings several times before your pan is at the right temperature.
The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat and searing it, or making water come to a quick boil.
It's fully connected through the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 special programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation styles. It features a simple multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the right cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn pan sets and comes with a variety of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done on your kitchen or simply seeking a better alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more.
This slick-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically recognises the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9 cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy savings, but it doesn't ignore the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest operating temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 4 kW.
Testers were impressed with the user-friendly interface of this hob with easy-to-use controls that move along the edge of the hob in order to follow the pan. The control panel's color-coded layout allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" feature lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful features, including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
In addition to this, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you of any risk of fire or food that has been burned. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat indicator as well as an auto switch-off if the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to tough stains, and has a CleanProtect protective coating. The hob comes with nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is easy to put in. There are some additional features like control locks, as well as an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They utilize copper plates to generate an electric force when a pan or pot 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 to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too making them a popular option.
This induction hob from Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as an instant booster zone to quickly bring water to a boil. best oven &Go feature, for instance, allows you to cook perfectly by pressing a button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to choose nine power modes including the P boost option which gives the highest power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are easy to use and have an elegant, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. However, it took an extended time to cool down once it was turned off from the hob. Our test participants were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
In addition to the Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to fit 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 too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass is 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 a duct in the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, but it required two people to take the filter out.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
When choosing a new hob think about how it will fit to your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and your lifestyle. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off or cool to the touch surface can make an induction cooker an ideal choice. If you prefer speed and efficiency, 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 gas models.