Choosing the Best Hob
The ideal hob for your needs is determined by the type of worktop and the space available. The type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are also important aspects to consider when choosing the right hob.
A basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100 if you opt for an own-brand model. They're less difficult to clean and come with various safety features including an indicator in red that lights when the surface is heated.
1. Flexibility
If you're looking to whip up a quick midweek meal or master your pancake making technique, a flexible hob is essential. The best hobs give you precise heat control with features such as dual wok burners and a large cooking area making them ideal for a variety of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. Many of them have the option to include an extractor fan which eliminates the requirement for separate overhead appliances and freeing space for your workspace.
Gas hobs provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they are a popular choice. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning to prevent carbon build-up and fires. Plus, they can often take longer to boil water than models that use induction.
Induction hobs heat the pans rather than the surface of the cooker, which makes them less difficult to clean. They can be more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show fingerprints and scratches.
Hybrid hobs combine the benefits of both gas and induction cooking in one unit that lets you switch between modes depending on the kind of food you're cooking. They're great for people who want to expand their culinary abilities but don't have the space or time for a full-on kitchen upgrade.
This electric hob is a fantastic model that offers flexibility in both design and function. Its dual flex zone can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls come with a child lock feature that prevents children from changing the settings. It's also designed to connect to a smart hub, so you can manage the features via your smartphone.
If you're looking for a top-quality induction hob that can connect to the Wi-Fi network in your home take a look at this model from Smeg. It's packed with features that make cooking faster and easier such as automatic pan detection and PowerBoost and a timer and the ability to pause. It's also easy to use, with touchscreen controls that react immediately to any changes you make and a sleek, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs are those that consume the minimal amount of energy whether you're boiling water or simmering soup. This makes them an excellent choice for those who want to cut down on their electricity bills. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to heat the pan directly which prevents the glass from getting hot. This ensures they are safe to avoid burns from accidental accidents. Although gas hobs may not be as efficient, they can be more affordable to run than electric models.
The Miele I Flex induction hob is our top pick. It provides a lot of flexibility, thanks to the "I Flex zone. It allows you to combine two cooking zones to create a larger area which allows you to use large pots and saucepans. Its touch controls come with a child lock to ensure that children cannot switch off the stove or change settings it is a useful option for households with young kids. Although the ceramic glass has a matte finish it is easy to clean using just a little wipe.
This hob also has the 'Pan detection function' that automatically turns off the power to a specific cooking area when you remove a pan. This isn't the only hob that has this feature, but it's a great addition to simplify your life when you cook for a large family or a group of friends.
This is a smart hob that connects to internet, allowing you to manage it through an app on your tablet or smartphone. It will alert you when food is ready, so you do not overcook your food. It took just four minutes to boil our test pan of water using this model, which is a lot for an induction cooktop. It has cooking zones that are flexible that you can mix and the "Stop & Go' button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting, so it's simple to turn off.
This compact induction hob is ideal for camping trips and also for taking to university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we tested, yet it comes with all of our cooking features and a responsive slider. It also comes with an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that lets you to adjust the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down on the hob surface. This is ideal for making caramel sauces and sauces.
3. Convenience
When you are choosing a new stove, you'll have to consider how it fits with the design of your kitchen and what it can do to improve the efficiency of your home. This will help you narrow your options and pick the one that is best for your family and your home. It's also worth reading reviews to learn what other users have had to say about the appliance, as it will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses better.
Some hob brands are renowned for their smart technology, which makes them the go-to option for those who wish to control their cooking via their smartphone. For instance Samsung's models have electronic timers that oven let you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is especially useful for people who have hectic lives, since the timer will ensure that your meals are cooked when they should be without having to constantly monitor them.
Gas hobs are a great option for those who prefer traditional style, since they can be used with a variety of cookware styles and sizes. This includes non-flat-bottomed cookware and pans that can be difficult to fit on other hobs. Gas hobs are often equipped with a variety of settings, so that you can alter the temperature to fit your recipe.
Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models and provide faster heating times, are also a popular choice among those who want to modernize their kitchen. Hobs that have built-in ovens are particularly popular since they can reduce space by mixing the oven and hob in one unit.
A child lock is a different feature to look out for. It allows you to disable the controls on a stove and safeguards children from accidents in the kitchen. This is an essential feature for those with young children, since it can aid in avoiding burns and other injuries. In addition, many induction hobs have the ability to connect two zones to make a larger cooking area, which can be useful if you're using large pans.
4. Safety
A quality hob has many safety features. These include an indicator for the hot surface of the hob which will alert you when the surface is heated and can stop kitchen accidents. Some hobs also come with a child lock that will prevent children from turning the hob on or altering its settings. Some will have a function that allows you to combine two cooking zones into one zone, allowing you to cook in a larger pan.
This is an excellent feature for families with children and it will ensure that everyone is safe in the kitchen. It monitors the temperature of the hob and if it detects that the pan isn't placed correctly or there's an occurrence of fire it will shut down the burner automatically. It's a great way to ensure that your home is safe and you should take it into consideration when you shop.
There are a variety of different kinds of hobs you can pick from that include electric, gas and induction. Gas hobs use an electric flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs come with electric rings you can control by pressing the button. Induction hobs use magnets to heat your pans. They won't function unless a magnetizable pan is placed on them. It is a very efficient type of hob and it will cool down quickly when the pan has been removed.
This kind of hob is an efficient space-saver since it removes the need for an extractor fan, which means you can have a streamlined kitchen design. It is more expensive than other types of hobs however it is an excellent option for any household. It can also be used to get rid of excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which can help improve the air quality inside your home. This is a great option for families since it can protect against burns and is easy to clean. There are many different options to think about when choosing the right hob, so make sure you take the time to research each one before making your decision.