How to Choose the Best Hob
There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.
oven and hob can cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to spend more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are also a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones and three "Push&Go" functions and can help you prepare quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a pause function so you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls.
Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls are intuitive to use, and we appreciated the clear display which tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil fast. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot or automatic shut-off are also beneficial.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs we tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, as opposed to six or seven for other models. It takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you may need to alter settings multiple times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex 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. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected through the hOn App and has hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 special programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive 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 correct cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn sets and has a range of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or are looking for a gas-free option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it's worth paying a bit more.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have dimensions of at least 9 cm and then automatically will activate the appropriate zone.
Smeg's attention to energy savings does not leave out flexibility too The hob is built to reduce power consumption by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking requirements. There are also options to save energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.
Testers were impressed by the user-friendly interface of this hob that has intuitive controls that slide along the edge of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's color-coded design makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" feature lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automated cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The hob also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or the possibility of a fire. There are several safety features like the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off if the surface gets too hot.
It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist tough marks and stains from cooking. This hob is easy to install and comes with nine power levels and the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering for large pans. There are also a number of extra features, such as locking controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They utilize copper plates to create magnetic force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means that they can heat up more quickly than gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking area only heats up when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to create your own ideas 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 boiling water to. A range of automatic functions like Push&Go allow you to cook your food perfectly with the click of the button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are simple to operate, and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiled pasta water. However, it took some time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob. Our testers found it difficult to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
In addition to a Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off feature that stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and has no flames visible. Our test subjects were pleased with that. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through an air duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, however it required two people in order to remove the filter.
4. GE Induction Hob
Think about how the hob will fit into your kitchen's layout and design and what your cooking style. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features like automatic shut-off and cool to the touch surface can make an induction stove a better option. If you're looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. If you live in areas prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs during power cuts may tip the scales in favour of a gas model.