Choosing the Best Hob
The ideal hob for your needs is determined by the type of worktop you are using and the space available. The selection of the best hob is dependent on the kind of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.
A basic gas-on-glass hob costs less than PS100 when you choose an original brand. They are simpler to clean and come with various safety features like an indicator that glows red when they are hot.
1. Flexibility
A hob that is flexible will aid you in reaching your goals, whether it's perfecting your pancake recipe or cooking a quick meal for midweek. The best hobs offer precise temperature control, dual wok burners, and a huge cooking surface. They're ideal for a wide variety of recipes. These hobs can be used in any kitchen due 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 that eliminates the need for an additional overhead appliance and freeing space on your worktop.
Gas hobs provide instant heat. It's no wonder that they are popular. However, they need regular cleaning to ensure you aren't putting yourself at risk by carbon build-up on your hob or a fire breaking out. 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 less difficult to clean. They are more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show scratches and fingerprints.
Hybrid hobs integrate gas and induction cooking into a single product. You can switch between the two modes based on what you're cooking. They're great for people who like to flex their culinary skills but don't have the time or space for a major kitchen upgrade.
This electric hob is a fantastic example of a product that can be flexed in design and function. Its dual flex zones can be combined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The controls also feature an option for children to lock them out of children from altering the settings. It's also designed to connect to a smart hub so you can manage the features via your smartphone.
If you're in search of a top-quality induction cooker that can connect to your Wi-Fi network at home, look no further than this one from Smeg. It has many features that make cooking simpler and quicker, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause function. It's also simple to use thanks to control buttons that respond instantly to any changes you make and an elegant, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs use as little energy as possible regardless of whether you're simmering soup or bringing water to the boiling point. They're also a great option for those who wish to lower their electricity costs. Induction hobs are the most efficient, using electromagnetic fields to heat your pan directly so that the glass stays cool. Induction hobs are a safer option, since they avoid accidental burns. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be more affordable to run than electric models.
Our top pick Miele I Flex 90cm induction hob, has plenty of flexibility because of its 'IFlex' zone, which lets you merge two cooking zones into one large area, so you can cook with big pans and pots. Its touch controls come with a child lock to ensure that children aren't able to turn the hob on or alter settings, which is a good feature for families with small children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it is easy to clean using just a little wipe.
Another impressive feature of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which switches off the heating zone after you have removed your pan. It's not the only hob that has this feature however it's an excellent feature that makes life easier when cooking a lot of meals for your family or group of friends.
This is a smart stove that is connected to the Internet so you can control it via an app on your phone. It will notify you when food is ready, so you do not overcook your food. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is extremely fast for an Induction hob. It has zones that you can combine with a Stop & go' button that reduces all cooking zones to their lowest setting.
This compact induction hob is perfect for camping trips and taking to university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob we tested, but still has an extensive set of cooking functions and an intuitive touch slider. It also has a built-in 'VaryCook' function which lets you alter the temperature by moving your pan up and down the surface of the hob. This is perfect for making sauces or caramel.
3. Convenience
When choosing a new hob you'll have to consider the way it's incorporated into the design of your kitchen and what it will do to enhance the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow your options and select the model that's best for you, your family and your home. You should also look through reviews to see what other people think about the appliance. This can aid in understanding its strengths and weakness.
Certain brands of hobs are known for their innovative technology, which makes them the go-to option for those who wish to control their cooking via their mobile. Samsung's models, as an example come with electronic timers that allow you to set precise cooking times and avoid overcooking. This is particularly beneficial for those who lead busy lives and can be used by the timer to ensure that meals are ready on time, without needing to keep an eye on them.
Gas hobs are also a good option for those who prefer traditional style, since they can be used with a variety of cookware sizes and styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed cookware and pans on gas hobs. Additionally, gas hobs typically provide a range of settings, meaning you can alter the temperature to suit the pan you are using or your recipe.
Induction hobs are another popular option for those looking to modernize their kitchen since they have faster heating times and are more energy efficient than gas models. Hobs that have built-in ovens are particularly popular because they save space by combining the oven and hob in one unit.
A child lock is an additional feature to look out for. It allows you to stop the stove's controls and protects children from kitchen accidents. This is a crucial feature for families with young children, since it can assist in avoiding burns and other injuries. Many induction hobs also come with a feature that allows the linking of two zones together, creating an even larger cooking area. This is helpful if you use large pans.
4. Safety
A quality hob has a number safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the hob is hot. This can prevent accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs come with an option for locking the hob to prevent children from turning on the stove or changing settings. Some will have a function that lets you combine two cooking zones into one larger zone to allow you to cook a wider pan.
This is an excellent feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is secure. It works by monitoring the heat of the hob. If it detects that the pan hasn't been positioned correctly, or if there is a fire on the hob it will turn off the burner. It's a great way to ensure your home is secure, and you should take it into consideration when you shop.
You can pick between electric, gas and induction hobs. Gas hobs utilize a flame for heating your pans. Electric hobs have electronic rings that you can control by pressing the button. Induction hobs use an electric field to heat your pans. They will not work without a magnetizable pan placed on them. It is a very efficient hob, and will cool quickly when the pan has been removed.
This kind of hob is able to save 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 kinds of hobs, but it's an excellent choice for any family. It can be used to eliminate excessive 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 guards against burns. When selecting a kitchen appliance, there are many options to think about. Make sure to study them all before making your decision.