How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob to buy, there are many factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost less than PS100. However speaking of 'll need to pay more for one with many features. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, however they are pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones and three "Push&Go" functions, and will assist you in making quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an pause feature, meaning you can stop the process without having to fiddle around using controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary and blends well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls are simple to use, and we appreciated the clear display that informs you the current power setting, and which of the five zones are active. The "Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It's ideal to stir fry and speedily heating up pans. The hob's hot light and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to react when you change the temperature. You may need to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct heat.
The model in 60 cm comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It features a dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal' and 'boost power levels. Boost is perfect for frying meat while searing it or making water come to a quick boil.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app and boasts hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 unique programmes split into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. Additionally, it is able to automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the correct cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn 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
Induction hobs have become increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models can be found at 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 has the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9 cm, allowing you to activate the appropriate zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's main focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. 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.
Testers were awed by the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that move along the edge of the hob to follow your pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme allows you to easily identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function allows you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are numerous useful functions, including four automated 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 burning or burning food. There are also several safety features, such as an indicator of residual heat and an auto switch-off if the surface becomes too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard staining and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels as well as the FlexiDuo feature for accommodating large pans and is simple to set up. There are a few bonus features such as lockable 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 a magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means they can heat up much quicker than conventional gas hobs, and also save energy as the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas, and they're easier to wipe clean too, which makes them a popular option.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to a boiling point quickly. The Push&Go feature, for instance, allows you to cook with perfection with the click of a 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 along the bottom edge of the hob to follow your pans.
The controls are also simple to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a snap and was quick to heat up after placing an oven on the Booster zone. It took some time to cool down after turning off the hob, and our testers could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also features a bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It comes with a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off system which stops the hob from working when it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that there was no visible flame. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room through a duct on the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, but it took two people in order to remove the filter.
4. Recommended Reading
Think about how the hob will work with the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style is. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like automatic shut-off and cool to the touch surface could make an induction cooker an ideal option. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the best alternative. If you live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power outages may make the difference in favor of gas models.