How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost as little as PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs are also a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions, and can assist you in making quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs 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 faff around with controls.
Its design is sleek and contemporary, blending in well with modern kitchens. It's usually made from glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop for easy use.
The controls were easy to use, and we liked the display that displays the current power level as well as which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a brief period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to the boil quickly. The hot hob light and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.
However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs in this test. We found that it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings several times before you get the proper temperature.
This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. It has a dual-ring design that can function on both 'normal' and 'boost' power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to the rapid boil.
It is fully connected through the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 unique programs that are divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as 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's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and has a range of security features, including the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done on your kitchen or simply looking for an alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models are now available for less that PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it's worth paying a little more.
This slick-looking model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes your cooking efficient and easy. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically activates the appropriate zone.
Smeg's main focus is on energy savings but it doesn't forget the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. There are other 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 2 kW.
Testers were impressed by the user-friendly interface of this hob with easy-to-use controls that slide along the edges of the hob to follow the pan. The control panel's color scheme lets you quickly see the status of each zone, and the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are numerous useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
In addition the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' that warns you when there is a danger of a fire or burnt-on food. There are other safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an auto shut-off feature if the surface gets too hot.
It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a protective coating of CleanProtect. This model has nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are a host of extra features, like locking controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create an electric field when the pan is set on the top. They heat up quicker than gas hobs, and they use less energy because the cooking zone is only hot when you turn on the pan. Read Home Page 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 make it easy to be creative in the kitchen. It has two separate zones which can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. The Push&Go feature, for instance, allows you to cook with perfection by pressing one button. And 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 are positioned across the bottom of the hob to track your pans.
The controls are also easy to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a snap and was quick to heat up after placing a pan on the Booster zone. However, it took an extended time to cool down once it was turned off from the hob. Our testers were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function, which allows the user to combine two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block, as well as an auto switch-off system that shuts down the hob when it's too hot. Our test participants were impressed that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass is easy to clean. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room through a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, however it took two people to take the filter out.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the hob can be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a great choice for cooking with kids or elderly in mind. They come with safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. For those who prioritize speed and efficiency, an electric stove with a clean ceramic glass facia is ideal. For those who 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.