Choosing the Best Hob
The best hob to choose depends on your cooking preferences as well as the space you have available. The selection of the best hob involves considering the type of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.
A basic gas-on-glass hob costs less than PS100 If you select an own-brand model. They are easier to clean and come with a variety of safety features, including an indicator that glows red when they are hot.
1. Flexibility
A versatile hob can assist you in achieving your goals, whether it's perfecting your pancake recipe or making a quick meal for midweek. The best hobs provide precise heat control, two wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They are ideal for a variety of recipes. They can also be used in a variety of kitchens thanks to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Many come with an option to have an extractor fan built-in which eliminates the necessity of separate overhead appliances and freeing space for your workspace.
Gas hobs offer you instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're an extremely popular option. They do require periodic cleaning to ensure that you aren't at risk of carbon build-up on your stove or a fire breaking out. In addition, they typically take longer to boil water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the surface of the cooker They are, therefore, easier to keep clean. They can be more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show scratches and fingerprints.
Hybrid hobs integrate gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between both modes based on what you're cooking. They are great for those who like to flex their culinary skills, but don't have the time or space to invest in a complete kitchen overhaul.
This electric hob is an excellent example of a product that is flexible in style and functionality. The dual flex zone can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans, while its controls have the feature of a child lock that prevents children from changing the settings. Additionally, it can be connected to a smart hub which allows you to manage its functions using your smartphone.
Smeg's induction stove is a high-end model that is connected to your home WiFI network. It's got a lot of features that make cooking more efficient and faster, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It is also very easy to use, with touch controls that respond immediately to any changes you make and sleek, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The most efficient hobs use the most energy, whether you are boiling water or simmering soup. This makes them a great option for people who are looking to reduce their electricity bills. Induction hobs are the most efficient employing electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan so that the glass stays cool. Induction hobs are the safest choice, as they prevent accidental burns. Gas hobs might not be as efficient, but they are less expensive than electric models.
Our top choice Miele I Flex 90cm induction stove, offers plenty of flexibility due to its 'IFlex' zone, which allows you to combine two cooking zones into one large space, allowing you to cook with big pans and pots. Its touch controls come with a child lock to ensure that children cannot turn off the appliance or alter the settings this is a great feature for households with small children. And although the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it is easy to keep clean with only a simple wipe.
Another impressive feature of this model is its 'Pan detection' function, which automatically switches off the heating zone when you take your pan off. It's not the only hob to have this functionality however it's a fantastic addition that makes your life easier when cooking many meals for a family or a group of friends.
This is a smart kitchen appliance that connects to the internet so that you can control it via an app on your smartphone or tablet. It will website notify you when food is ready so you don't overcook it. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water using this model, which is very fast for an induction hob. It comes with flexible zones that you can mix with a Stop & go' button that reduces all cooking zones to their lowest setting.
This portable induction hob has a compact design that's ideal for camping trips or taking to uni. It's the thinnest and lightest hob that we tested, but it still has all of our cooking functions as well as a responsive slider. It also has an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that allows you to alter the temperature of your pan by dragging it up and down the hob surface. This is ideal for making caramel sauces and sauces.
3. Convenience
You should think about how the stove will fit into your kitchen and what it can help improve the efficiency of your home. This will help you narrow down your options and pick the one that's ideal for your family, you and your home. It is also advisable to read reviews to find out what other people think about the appliance. This will help you better understand its strengths and weaknesses.
Certain brands of hobs have advanced technology that makes them the top choice for those looking to control their cooking through their smartphone. For instance Samsung's models have electronic timers that let you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is particularly helpful for people who have a busy schedule, as you can use the timer to ensure that meals are prepared at the right time without having to keep a close watch on them.
Gas hobs are a great option for those who prefer an old-fashioned look, since they can be used with a variety of cookware styles and sizes. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pans and pans on gas hobs. Additionally, gas hobs typically provide a range of settings, which means you can alter the heat to fit your recipe or pan type.
Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models, and have quicker heat-up times they are also popular among those who want to modernize their kitchen. This is especially the case with induction hobs that come with a built-in oven, as they can help you save space in your kitchen by providing you with an oven and hob in one unit.
A child lock is an additional feature to look out for. It lets you stop the stove's controls and protects children from accidents in the kitchen. This is a particularly important feature for families with young children, as it can aid in avoiding burns and other injuries. Additionally some induction hobs come with the ability to connect two zones to make a larger cooking area that can be beneficial when you're cooking with large pans.
4. Safety
A quality hob will include several safety features. They will have an indicator for hot hobs that warns you when the surface is hot and stop kitchen accidents. Certain hobs feature locks for children to stop children from turning on the stove or altering settings. Some hobs feature a feature that allows you join two cooking zones into a larger zone, so you can cook a large pan.
This is a fantastic feature for families with children and it will ensure that everyone is safe in the kitchen. It works by monitoring the heat of the stove. If it detects that the pan has not been placed correctly, or if there is a fire on the hob, it will automatically shut off the burner. This is a great way to ensure your home is safe and is something you should consider when you are shopping around.
You can pick between electric, gas, and induction hobs. A gas hob uses a flame to heat the pans, while an electric hob has electric rings that you can control with the touch of the button. Then there's the induction hob, which makes use of a magnetic field to heat your pans. It will not start unless you put a magnetizable metal pan on it. This is a very efficient type of hob and will cool quickly when the pan is removed.
This kind of hob can be a space saver as it eliminates the need for an extractor fan. This means that you can have a streamlined kitchen design. It is more expensive than other hobs but it's a great choice for any home. It can be used to remove excess smoke and steam from the kitchen. This can enhance the air quality at the home. This is a fantastic choice for families as it is easy to clean and shields against burns. When choosing a hob there are a lot of options to consider. Take the time to study them all before making a decision.