How to Choose the Best Hob<br /><br />There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are important is essential.<br /><br />A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100, but you'll need to pay more for a model with a lot of features. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're also more expensive.<br /><br /><br /><br />1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob<br /><br />With four cooking zones and three 'Push&amp;Go' functions this cooker from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features a pause function, so you can stop the process without having to mess around with controls.<br /><br />Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features controls that are on top of the worktop to allow for ease of use.<br /><br />The controls are intuitive to use, and we appreciated the clear display that tells the current power setting, and which of the five zones are in use. The "Boost" feature produces high-powered heat in a short time. It's ideal to stir fry and speedily boiling pans. The hob's hot light and auto shut-off are great security features, too.<br /><br />It's not as responsive as other hobs we tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings multiple times before you get the proper temperature.<br /><br />The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pans or pots. The dual-ring design allows it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying, searing meat or bringing pans of water to the rapid boiling point.<br /><br />It is fully connected through the hOn app and includes hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It features a multislider controls panel with a "lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with a variety of security features, including an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.<br /><br />2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob<br /><br />If you're working on your kitchen or simply looking for an alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models are now available at less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth paying more to get the latest technology.<br /><br />This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking efficient and easy. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the location of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.<br /><br />Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are other options to save even more energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW.<br /><br />The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, with its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.<br /><br />In addition, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' which alerts you if there is any risk of fire or food that has been burned. There are also several safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an auto shut-off feature if the surface is too hot.<br /><br />It also resists tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. The stove is simple to install and comes with nine power levels as well as a handy 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering to large pans. There are also a number of additional features, like locking controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button pushing.<br /><br />3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob<br /><br />Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. This means they can reach temperatures faster than gas hobs. They also save energy as the cooking zone only heats up when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too making them an extremely popular option.<br /><br />This induction hob from Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. <a href="https://www.ovensandhobs.uk/">Ovens &amp; Hobs</a> has two cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pots and an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to the boil quickly. A variety of automated functions such as Push&amp;Go lets you create perfectly cooked meals at the touch of the button. The controls are simple to use and allow you to choose nine power options, including the P boost option that gives maximum power to each zone for five minutes.<br /><br />The controls are easy to operate and feature an elegant, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a snap and was quick to heat up when we put an oven on the Booster zone. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel.<br /><br />Alongside a Dual Zone and Push&amp;Go, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and overheating block, as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the appliance from working when it's heated to the point of. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and there are no visible flames. Our test subjects were pleased with that. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. Our experts believed that the duct of this hob was simple to clean, though it took two people to take the filter to change it.<br /><br />4. GE Induction Hob<br /><br />Consider how the stove can fit into the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are an excellent option if you cook with kids or elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. For those who value speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best choice. Gas hobs are an excellent alternative for those living in areas that are susceptible to power outages.<br /><br />