9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Best Hob
9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Best Hob
Blog Article
How to Choose the Best Hob
When selecting the ideal hob to buy there are a lot of aspects to take into account. From cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs, which are well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are more expensive, are a different option.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this hob from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was also among the most efficient on test to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It has the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display that informs you the current power setting and which of the five zones is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a short duration, and is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil quickly. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.
However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. We found that it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, compared with six or seven on other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the cooking temperature, so you might have to alter settings multiple times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
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 comes with dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal as well as 'boost' power levels. It is perfect for cooking and searing meat, or bringing pots of water to a rapid boil.
It's fully connected via the hOn app and comes with hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 unique programmes split into different food categories and preparation types. It has a multislider control panel with a "lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with various safety features like 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 are looking for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now available for less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a little more.
This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots with an overall diameter of at least 9cm and automatically will activate the appropriate zone.
Smeg's focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest operating temperatures of the zones. There are also options to save even more energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 2 kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob was a hit with testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded layout makes it easy to identify the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" function allows you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, such as four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
In addition, the hob has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you if there is any risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are many safety features like 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 comes with nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature that allows catering for large pans. There are a few bonus features such as locking controls and a safety fuse to prevent accidental button pushing.
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 pan or pot is placed on them. They heat up faster than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas, and they're easier to wipe clean too making them an extremely popular option.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone for larger pots and an accelerated Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook with perfection with the click of the button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the hob to track the pans.
The controls are easy to operate, and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up once we placed 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 comes with a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our test subjects were pleased with that. Contrary to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through a duct in hob and oven the surface. Our experts believed that the duct on this hob was easy to clean, though it took two people to take the filter out to change it.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
Think about how the hob will fit into your kitchen's layout and design as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a great option if you cook with kids or elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features like automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. If you value efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a glass face that is wipe-clean is ideal. For those living in regions prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs during power outages may tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.