Choosing the Best Hob
The ideal hob for your needs depends on the type of worktop and the space available. The type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are important considerations when choosing the right hob.
If you select an own-brand model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are easier to clean and have various safety features including an indicator in red that lights when the surface is heated.
1. Flexibility
If you're looking to whip an easy midweek meal or perfect your pancake technique, a movable hob is essential. The top hobs offer precise heat control with features like dual wok burners and an enormous cooking space, making them ideal for a wide range of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. In addition, many of them come with the option of adding an extractor fan built-in which eliminates the need for an additional overhead appliance and freeing up space on your worktop.
Gas hobs provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they are the most popular option. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning to prevent carbon build-up and fires. In addition, they typically take longer to boil water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat pans rather than the surface of the cooker, making them easier to clean. They can be more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show fingerprints and scratches.
Hybrid hobs combine both gas and induction cooking into a single product. You can switch between both modes based on the food you're cooking. They are ideal for those looking to test their culinary skills, but aren't looking to make a major investment in their kitchen.
This electric hob is an excellent example of a model which provides flexibility in design and function. Its dual flex zones can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots, while its controls have the feature of a child lock that prevents children from changing the settings. It's also designed to connect to a smart hub, so you can control the features from your smartphone.
Smeg's induction stove is a high-spec model that can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. It's packed with features that help cook faster and more efficiently such as automatic pan detection and PowerBoost, as well as an alarm clock and an option to pause. It is also very easy to use, with touch controls that respond immediately to any changes you make and an elegant, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs consume the least amount of energy when you're cooking soup or bringing water to the boiling point. They're also an excellent choice for those looking to cut down on their electric bill. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan which prevents the glass from getting hot. This makes them the most secure choice to avoid burns from accidental accidents. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they can be less expensive to run than electric models.
Our top pick is the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, comes with plenty of flexibility because of its 'IFlex' zone, which lets you merge two cooking zones into one large space, allowing you to cook with big pans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls blocks children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is a fantastic feature for families with children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it is easy to clean with just a little wipe.
This hob also has an "Pan detection function" that automatically turns off the power to a specific cooking zone when you take off the pan. This isn't the only hob that has this feature however it's a fantastic addition that makes your life easier when you're cooking lots of meals for a family or a group of friends.
This is a smart stove that is connected to the internet, so you can control it using an app that you can download on your smartphone. It will notify you when food is ready so you don't overcook it. It took just four minutes to boil our test pan of water on this model, which is fast for an induction cooktop. It comes with flexible cooking zones that you can mix and a 'Stop & Go' button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting, so it's simple to turn off.
This portable induction hob has a compact design that's perfect for camping trips or taking to university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob we tried, yet it has all of our cooking functions as well as a responsive slider. It also has a built-in 'VaryCook' function which lets you alter the temperature by moving your pan up and down the hob's surface, which is ideal to make caramel or sauces.
3. Convenience
You should think about how the stove will fit in your kitchen, and what it will contribute to improving the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow down your options and pick the one that's ideal for your family, and your property. It's important to read reviews and find out what others have to say about the appliance, since this will help you discern its strengths and weaknesses better.
Certain brands of hobs are known for their advanced technology, making them the go-to option for those who want to control cooking with their smartphone. Samsung's models, for instance come with electronic timers that allow you to set precise times and stop overcooking. This is especially useful for people who have busy lives, as the timer will ensure that your meals are cooked at the time they should be without having to monitor them constantly.
Gas hobs are also an ideal choice for those looking for an older-style feel. They can be used to cook with a broad range of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed cookware and pans that can be difficult to accommodate on other types of hob. In addition, gas hobs usually have a variety of settings, which means you can adjust the temperature to suit your recipe or pan type.
Induction hobs, which are more energy-efficient than gas models, and have faster heat-up times and are popular among those looking to modernise a kitchen. This is especially the case with induction hobs that have a built-in oven, as they can save space in your kitchen by offering an oven and a hob in one unit.
A child lock is a different feature to be on the lookout for. It allows you to stop the stove's controls and protects children from kitchen accidents. This is particularly important for families with children, as it will help prevent burns and other injuries. In addition, many induction hobs have an option to link two zones together to create a larger cooking space that can be beneficial when you're cooking with large pans.
4. Safety
A high-quality hob will come with a number of safety features. These will include an indicator for hot hobs that will warn you when the surface is extremely hot and will prevent accidents in the kitchen. Certain hobs feature an option for locking the hob to prevent children from turning on the stove or altering the settings. Some models will come with a function that lets you combine two cooking zones into a single zone, allowing you to cook in a larger pan.
This is a great feature for families with children and it will help ensure everyone's safety in the kitchen. special info works by monitoring the heat of the stove. If it determines that the pan has not been properly placed, or if there is a fire on the hob, it will automatically stop the burner. It's a great way to ensure your home is secure, and you should consider it when you are shopping.
You can select between electric, gas, and induction hobs. Gas hobs utilize the use of a flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs feature electric rings you can control by pressing the button. Then there's the induction hob which uses an electric field to heat your pans and will not turn on until you place a magnetizable metal pan on it. It is a very efficient hob and will cool quickly when the pan is removed.
This kind of hob is an ideal space saver since it does not require an extractor fan, which means you can have a sleek kitchen design. It's more expensive than other types of hobs but it's a great choice for any family. It can be used to remove the excess steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality at home. This is a fantastic choice for families, as it is easy to clean and protects against burns. When selecting a kitchen appliance, there are a lot of options to think about. Make sure to study them all before making a decision.
