Can Best Hob Be The Next Supreme Ruler Of The World?
How to Choose the Best HobWhen selecting the ideal hob to buy, there are many factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Decide what features are most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for one with numerous features. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, however they are more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones, three 'Push&Go" functions, and will help you prepare quick meals. It was among the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an option to pause the process, so you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around using controls.
Its design is modern and sleek, blending in well with modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit flush with the worktop for ease of use.
The controls are easy to use, and we appreciated the clear display which tells you the current power settings, and which of the five zones are active. The "Boost" feature generates high-powered heat in a short time. It is perfect to stir fry and speedily bringing pans to boil. Safety features such as the hot hob light or automatic shutdown are also useful.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. We found that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you may need to alter settings several times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper 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. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to the rapid boiling point.
It's fully connected through the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes with cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and preparation styles. It has an intuitive multislider interface, as well as a lockable control panel. Additionally, it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set up the right cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn pans from third parties and has a number of safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done on your kitchen or simply searching for a substitute to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped over the past few years, with basic four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9 cm and then automatically will activate the appropriate zone.
Smeg's attention to energy savings doesn't overlook flexibility either - this hob is designed to reduce power consumption by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking preferences. There are other options to save even more energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 4 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, with its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges of it. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to determine the state of each zone. 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) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
Additionally, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you of any risk of burning or burning food. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough staining and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels as well as an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is simple to set up. There are several bonus features, such as locking controls and an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pressing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to generate magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means that they can reach temperatures faster than gas hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking area only is heated when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are simpler to wipe clean too and that's why they're a popular option.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of 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, and a rapid booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. For instance, the Push&Go lets you cook flawlessly at the touch one button. And nine power modes, including 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 hob to track the pans.
The controls are also simple to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiled pasta water. However, it took an extended time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob ovens hobs and our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger pans. It comes with a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from working when it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass is easy to clean. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people to remove the filter.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a kitchen appliance take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, as well as your cooking style and your lifestyle. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as an automatic shut-off or cool to the touch surface could make an induction hob an ideal option. Alternatively, for those who value efficiency and speed, an electric stove with a clean ceramic glass facia is a great choice. If you live in areas prone to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs in power outages may tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.