Choosing the Best Hob
The best hob to choose depends on your cooking preferences and the space available. The type of worktop used and the location of the extractor hood are important aspects to consider when choosing the right hob.
If you choose an own-brand model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are simpler to clean, and include various safety features such as an indicator that glows red when they are hot.
1. Flexibility
A hob that is flexible will help you to achieve your goals, whether it's perfecting your pancake technique or making a quick meal for a midweek meal. The best hobs provide precise heat control, two wok burners, and an enormous cooking surface. They are perfect for a wide range of recipes. These hobs can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. Many of them have the option to have an extractor fan, eliminating the requirement for separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space for your workspace.
Gas hobs can provide instant heat. It's no wonder they are popular. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning to prevent carbon build-up and fires. Additionally, they take longer to heat water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the cooker surface, so they are generally more easy to clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs, and their glossy surfaces may reveal fingerprints and scratches more easily.
Hybrid hobs offer the advantages of gas and induction cooking in one appliance which allows you to switch between the two depending on the kind of food you're cooking. They're great for people who like to flex their culinary skills, but don't have the space or time for a full-on kitchen upgrade.
This electric hob is a great example of a model that offers flexibility in both appearance and function. Its dual flex zone can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls feature the feature of a child lock that stops children from changing the settings. And it's also designed to be connected to a smart hub which allows you to manage its functions from your smartphone.
Smeg's induction cooktop is a high-spec model that can be connected to your WiFI network. It's got a lot of features that make cooking more efficient and faster, such as automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It's also simple to use thanks to touch controls that respond immediately to any changes you make and a sleek, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The most efficient hobs consume as little energy as possible, whether you're simmering soup or bringing water to the boil. They're also a great option for those who want to cut down on their electric bill. Induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan, preventing the glass from getting hot. Induction hobs are a safer option, since they avoid accidental burns. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be less expensive to run than electric models.
Our top pick, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction stove, offers plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'IFlex' zone, which allows you to merge two cooking zones into one space, allowing you to cook with large pots and pans. The child lock on the touch controls prevents children from turning the stove or changing settings. This is a fantastic feature for families with small children. And although the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it's easy to clean using only a simple wipe.
Another impressive aspect of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which automatically switches off the heating zone when you remove your pan. It's not the only hob with this feature, but it's a great addition to simplify your life when you cook a lot for a large family or group of friends.
This is an intelligent stove that connects to the internet, so you can control it with an app that you can download on your smartphone. It can also notify you when food is ready, so you don't overcook it. This model was able to boil our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is very rapid for an induction hob. It has cooking zones that are flexible which you can combine and an "Stop & Go button that reduces all the cooking zones to the lowest setting, making it easy to turn off.
This small induction hob is ideal for camping and taking to university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we tried, yet it includes all of our cooking functions and a responsive slider. It also has a built-in "VaryCook" function that allows you to control the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down the hob surface. This is ideal to make caramel and sauces.
3. Convenience
You'll want to consider how the stove will fit in your kitchen and what it could contribute get more info to improving the efficiency of your home. This will help narrow down your options so that you can select a model that's ideal for your family and home. It's also worth reading reviews to learn what other users have thought about the appliance. this will help you discern its strengths and weaknesses.
Certain brands of hobs are known for their advanced technology, which makes them the ideal choice for those who prefer to control their cooking via their smartphone. Samsung's models, for example, have electronic timers which allow you to set precise timeframes and avoid overcooking. This is especially helpful for those who lead busy lives and can be used by the timer to make sure that meals are ready at the right time without having to keep a close watch over them.
Gas hobs are also an ideal option for those seeking more traditional appearance. They are able to cook with a wide variety of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed cookware and pans, which can be difficult to place on other types of hob. In addition, gas hobs usually offer a range of settings, which means you can adjust the heat to suit your pan's style or recipe.
Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models, and have quicker heat-up times they are also a popular choice among those who want to modernize their kitchen. Hobs that have built-in ovens are particularly popular because they save space by combining the oven and hob into one.
A child lock is a different feature to look out for. It lets you stop the stove's controls and protects children from accidents in the kitchen. This feature is crucial for families with young children as it can prevent burns and other injuries. Many induction hobs also have a feature that allows the linking of two zones, creating more cooking space. This is helpful if you use large pans.
4. Safety
A high-quality hob comes with several safety features. They will have a hot hob indicator which will alert you when the surface is heated and will stop kitchen accidents. Some hobs come with locks for children to stop children from turning on the hob or altering the settings. Some may have a feature that allows you to merge two cooking zones into one zone to allow you to cook a larger size pan.
This is an excellent feature for families and will ensure that everyone in the kitchen is secure. It works by monitoring the temperature of the hob and if it senses that the pan isn't placed correctly or there is a fire it will shut down the burner immediately. This is a great method to ensure that your home is safe and is something you should consider when shopping around.
You can pick between gas, electric, and induction hobs. Gas hobs make use of the use of a flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs come with electronic rings that can be controlled by pressing the button. Induction hobs utilize a magnetic field for heating your pans. They won't work until a pan that is magnetizable is placed on them. This is a highly efficient hob, and it will cool down quickly once the pan has been removed.
This type of hob saves space since it doesn't require an extractor fan. You can therefore have the kitchen with a sleeker design. It is more expensive than other types of hobs, but it's a great option for any family. It can also be used to eliminate excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which will help improve the air quality of your home. This is an excellent option for families since it can protect against burns and is simple to clean. There are many different options to think about when choosing a hob, so be sure to take the time to study each one prior to making your decision.