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 type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are also important considerations when deciding on the right hob.
If you opt for a brand-name model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They're easier to clean and have various safety features including the red indicator that illuminates when the surface is hot.
1. Flexibility
If you're looking to whip an easy midweek meal or perfect your pancake technique, a flexible hob is crucial. The best hobs provide precise heat control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They are perfect for a variety of recipes. They can also be used in a range of kitchens thanks to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. In addition, many of them come with the option to add an extractor fan built-in that eliminates the need for an additional overhead appliance, and freeing up space on your worktop.
Gas hobs can provide instant heating. It's no wonder they are so popular. But they require regular cleaning to ensure that you aren't putting yourself at risk by carbon build-up in your hob or a fire bursting. Plus, they take longer to heat water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the cooker surface They are, therefore, cleaner to maintain. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs, while their glossy surfaces may show up scratches and fingerprints more easily.
Hybrid hobs offer the advantages of gas and induction cooking in one product that lets you switch between the two depending on the type of food you're making. These are great for those who want to test their culinary skills but don't want to invest in a new kitchen.
This electric hob is a fantastic example of a product that is flexible in style and functionality. Its dual flex zone can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls feature a child lock feature that stops 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 top-quality model that can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. It's got a lot of features that make cooking simpler and faster, such as 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 sleek, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The most efficient hobs consume the least amount of energy when you're cooking soup or bringing water up to boiling point. This means they're ideal for those who want to cut their electric bills. Induction hobs make use of electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan, preventing the glass from heating up. This makes them the most secure choice to avoid burns from accidental accidents. Gas hobs may not be as efficient but they are cheaper to operate than electric ones.
The Miele I-Flex induction hob is our top pick. It offers a lot of flexibility due to the "I Flex zone. It allows you to combine two cooking zones to create a larger area making it possible to use larger saucepans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls prevents children from turning the hob or changing settings. This is a great feature for families with young children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it is easy to clean using only a simple wipe.
Another impressive feature of this model is its "Pan detection" function, which automatically turns off the power ovensandhobs.uk to a cooking zone when you remove your pan. This isn't the only hob to have this functionality however it's an excellent addition that makes your life easier when cooking a lot of meals for your family or a group of friends.
This is a smart hob that connects to internet to allow you to control it using an app on your smartphone or tablet. It can also notify you when your food is ready so that you don't overcook it. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is extremely rapid for an induction hob. It has cooking zones that are flexible which you can combine and the "Stop & Go' button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting so it's simple to turn off.
This portable induction hob has a compact design that's ideal for camping or taking to university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we tested, but still has an extensive set of cooking functions as well as a touch-sensitive 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 surface of your hob. This is ideal for making sauces and caramel.
3. Convenience
You'll need to think about how the hob can fit into your kitchen and what it can contribute to improving your home's functionality. This will help you narrow your options and pick the one that is best for you, your family, and your property. It's also worth reading reviews to see what other people have had to say about the appliance, since it will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses better.
Certain brands of hobs come with intelligent technology, making them the ideal option for those who want to control their cooking using their smartphones. For example, Samsung's models feature electronic timers that allow you to determine precise cooking times and stop overcooking. This is especially helpful for those who lead busy lives and can be used by the timer to make sure that your meals are cooked at the correct time without having to keep an eye on them.
Gas hobs are also a good option for those looking for an old-fashioned look, since they can be used with a variety of cookware designs and sizes. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pans and saucepans on gas stoves. Gas hobs are usually equipped with a variety of settings so that you can alter the temperature to fit your cooking.
Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models, and have quicker heat-up times and are an option for those who are looking to modernize a kitchen. Hobs that have built-in ovens are particularly popular because they save space by mixing the oven and hob into one.
Another feature to look for is a child lock which allows you to block the controls on a hob and shield children from accidents in the kitchen. This feature is crucial for families with young children as it can prevent burns and other injuries. Additionally some induction hobs come with an option to link two zones together to create a larger cooking space, which can be useful when you're cooking with large pans.
4. Safety
A high-quality hob comes with many safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the hob is hot. This can help prevent accidents in the cooking area. Certain hobs may also include a child lock that can stop children from turning the stove on or altering the settings. Some hobs have the ability to combine two cooking zones into an additional zone, meaning you can cook a wide pan.
This is a fantastic feature for families with children and can help ensure everyone's safety in the kitchen. It works by observing the temperature of the hob. If it determines that the pan hasn't been properly placed or if there's a fire on the hob it will shut off the burner. This is a fantastic way to ensure that your home is safe and it's something that you should be looking for when shopping for.
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 feature electric rings you can control by pressing the button. Induction hobs use an electric field to heat your pans. They will not work unless a magnetizable pan is placed on them. This is an efficient type of hob that will cool quickly after the pan is removed.
This kind of hob is an efficient space-saver since it eliminates the need for an extractor fan. This means that you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It can be more expensive than other hobs but it's a great choice for any home. It can be used to eliminate excessive steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can enhance the air quality at the home. This is a great option for families as it is easy to clean and protects against burns. There are a number of different options to think about when choosing the right hob, so make sure you take the time to study each one prior to making your decision.