Choosing the Best Hob
The ideal hob for your needs depends on the type of worktop and the space available. The type of worktop and location of the extractor hood are important factors to consider when selecting the best hob.
A basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100 If you select an original brand. They're easier to clean and come with a range of safety features, including the red indicator that illuminates when the surface is hot.
1. Flexibility
A versatile hob can aid you in reaching your goals, whether that's perfecting your pancake recipe or making a quick dinner for the midweek. The best hobs give you precise control of heat, and come with features such as dual wok burners as well as an expansive cooking area which makes them perfect for a variety of dishes. These hobs can be utilized in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. In addition, many of them come with the option to add a built-in extractor fan, eliminating the need for a separate overhead appliance, and freeing up space on your worktop.
Gas hobs are able to provide instant warmth, so it's not a surprise that they are the most popular option. However, they need regular cleaning to ensure that you aren't putting yourself at risk by carbon build-up on your hob or a fire bursting out. Additionally, they often take longer to boil water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat pans rather than the surface of the cooker, which makes them easier to clean. They are more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display fingerprints and scratches.
Hybrid hobs combine the advantages of gas and induction cooking into one appliance, allowing you to switch between modes 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 time or space to invest in a complete kitchen overhaul.
This electric hob is an excellent example of a model which allows for flexibility in style and functionality. Its dual flex zone can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans and its controls come with an option for locking children that prevents children from changing the settings. Additionally, it can be connected to a smart hub, which allows you to manage its functions from your smartphone.
Smeg's induction hob is a high-end model that can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. It's packed with features that make cooking faster and easier with features like automatic pan detection and PowerBoost as well as the ability to set a timer as well as a pause function. It is also very easy to use, with control buttons that respond instantly to changes you make, and a sleek, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs are those that use the minimal amount of energy whether you're boiling water or simmering soup. This means they're ideal for those who are looking to reduce their electric bills. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from getting hot. Induction hobs are the safest choice as they protect against accidental burns. Gas hobs might not be as efficient, but they are less expensive than electric models.
The Miele I-Flex induction hob is our top choice. It offers a great deal of flexibility, because of the "I Flex zone. This allows you to join two cooking zones together to create a larger area which allows you to use large pots and saucepans. The child lock on the touch controls prevents children from turning the stove or changing settings. This is an excellent feature for families with young children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it's easy to clean with just a wipe.
The hob also comes with an "Pan detection function" that automatically turns off power to a particular cooking zone when removing a pan. It's not the only hob that has this feature, but it is an excellent feature to simplify your life for those who cook a lot for an entire family or group of friends.
This is a smart kitchen appliance, which connects to the internet so that you can control it via an app on your tablet or smartphone. It can alert you when food is ready, so you don't overcook. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water with this model, which is very fast for an induction hob. It has cooking zones that are flexible that can be combined and an "Stop & Go button that reduces all the cooking zones to the lowest setting, so it's simple to turn off.
This induction hob is portable and has a slim design that's perfect for camping trips or taking to uni. It is the thinnest and lightest hob we've tested, but it still has all of our cooking functions as well as a responsive slider. It also has an integrated 'VaryCook' feature which lets you vary the temperature by moving your pan upwards and downwards on the surface of the hob. This is perfect for making sauces or caramel.
3. Convenience
When you are choosing a new stove, you should think about the way it's incorporated into your kitchen's design and how it will add to the utility of your home. This will help you narrow down your options so that you can pick the best model for your family as well as your home. You should also read reviews to find out what other people's opinions are about the appliance. This can aid in understanding its strengths and weakness.
Some hob brands are renowned for their advanced technology, making them the ideal choice for those who prefer to control their cooking via their smartphone. Samsung's models, as an example come with electronic timers that allow you to set precise timeframes and avoid overcooking. This is especially beneficial for people with busy lives, as the timer lets you ensure that your meals are cooked at the time they should be without needing to keep an eye on them.
Gas hobs can also be an excellent option for those who want more traditional appearance. They are able to cook using a wide variety of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed pots and pans, which may be difficult to accommodate on other hobs. Additionally, gas hobs typically offer a range of settings, so you can alter the heat to suit your pan's style or recipe.
Induction hobs are yet another popular option for those looking to modernize their kitchens, as they provide quicker heat-up times and are more efficient in energy use than gas models. This is particularly true with induction hobs that come with a built-in oven, as they can reduce space in your kitchen by providing you with a combined oven and hob in one unit.
Another thing to look out for is a child lock which allows you to block the controls of a hob and safeguard children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This feature is crucial for families with children since it can help avoid burns and other injuries. Induction hobs often include a feature that permits you to connect two zones together, creating more cooking space. This is particularly useful when you cook with large pans.
4. Safety
A high-quality hob will come with many safety features. These will include an indicator for the hot surface of the hob which will alert you when the surface is extremely hot and can stop kitchen accidents. Some hobs will also have an option for a child lock to prevent children from turning the hob on or altering settings. Some will have a function that allows you to combine two cooking zones into a single zone to allow you to cook a wider pan.
This is an excellent feature for families and it can ensure that everyone is safe in the kitchen. It monitors the temperature of the hob and if it determines that the pan isn't positioned properly or there's an occurrence of fire it will shut down the burner instantly. This is a great way to ensure your home is safe and it's something that you should be looking for when you shop around.
You can choose between electric, gas, and induction hobs. Gas hobs use the use of a flame to heat the pans, while an electric hob has electronic rings that you can control by pressing a button. Then there's the induction hob, which makes use of a magnetic field to heat your pans and won't turn on unless you place a magnetizable pan on it. This is an efficient type of hob that cools quickly after the pan is removed.
This kind of hob is an ideal space saver since it removes the need for an extractor fan, so you can have a streamlined kitchen design. It is more expensive than other types of hobs, however it's a great option for any family. It can also be used to get rid of smoke and steam from the kitchen, which will help improve the air quality inside your 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 think about. Take the time to study them all before making your decision.