Choosing the Best Hob
The choice of the right hob is contingent on your preferences for cooking and available space. The type of worktop used and the location of the extractor hood are also important considerations when choosing the right hob.
A basic gas-on-glass stove costs less than PS100 if you opt for an original brand. They are simpler to clean, and have various safety features, including the red indicator that lights when they are hot.
1. Flexibility
A flexible hob will help you to achieve your goals, whether it's perfecting your pancake technique or making a quick dinner for the midweek. The best hobs offer precise temperature control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They're ideal for a variety of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. Plus, many come with the option to add an extractor fan built-in which eliminates the need for a separate overhead appliance and freeing space on your worktop.
Gas hobs are able to provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're an extremely popular choice. However, they need regular cleaning to ensure that you aren't putting yourself at risk by carbon build-up in your hob or a fire bursting. Additionally, they take longer to heat water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the cooking pan itself rather than the surface of the cooker which makes them easier to keep clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs, as their glossy surfaces can reveal fingerprints and scratches more easily.
Hybrid hobs combine the benefits of gas and induction cooking in one appliance, allowing you to switch between modes depending on the type of food you're making. They are perfect for those who want to test their culinary abilities, but don't want to invest in a new kitchen.
This electric hob is a fantastic model that is flexible in style and functionality. The dual flex zone can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls come with an option for locking children that prevents children from changing the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so you can manage its functions using your smartphone.
If you're looking for a top-quality induction hob that connects to your Wi-Fi network at home then look no further than this one from Smeg. It has many features that make cooking more efficient and quicker, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It's also simple to use with touch controls that respond immediately to changes you make, and a sleek, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs use the minimal amount of energy regardless of whether you're boiling water or simmering soup. They're also a good option for those who want to reduce their electricity bills. Induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from becoming hot. Induction hobs are the safest choice, as they prevent accidental burns. While gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be cheaper to run than electric models.
Our top choice, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction stove, offers plenty of flexibility due to its 'I-Flex' zone that lets you merge two cooking zones into one area so you can cook with large pots and pans. Its touch controls have an option for children to lock the controls so that children can't turn the hob on or alter settings this is a great feature for families with small children. Ceramic glass is matte, but it can be cleaned by a simple wipe.
This hob also has a 'Pan detection function' that shuts off power to a particular cooking zone when you take off the pan. This isn't the only hob that has this feature, but it is an excellent feature to simplify your life when you cook for a large family or group of friends.
This is a smart hob that connects to internet, allowing you to control it using an app on your smartphone or tablet. It will alert you when food is ready so you do not overcook your food. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water using this model, which is fast for an induction cooktop. It comes with flexible zones that you can mix, and a Stop & go' button which reduces the cooking zones to their lowest setting.
This portable induction hob is compact and perfect for camping trips or taking to university. It is the thinnest and lightest hob we've tested, yet it includes all of our cooking features and an adjustable slider. It also has an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that lets you to alter the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down the hob surface. This is perfect to make caramel and sauces.
3. Convenience
When choosing a new hob you'll have to consider the way it's incorporated into your kitchen design and what it will add to the efficiency of your home. This will help you narrow down your options to help you select the best model for your family as well as your home. You should also read reviews to find out what others think of the appliance. This will help you understand its strengths and weakness.
Certain brands of hobs have intelligent technology, making them the ideal choice for those looking to control their cooking using their smartphones. Samsung's models, for instance include electronic timers that allow you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is especially helpful for people who have a busy schedule because you can use the timer to ensure that meals are ready at the correct time without needing to keep an watch over them.
Gas hobs are an excellent option for those who want an older-style feel. They are able to cook using a wide variety of cookware sizes and styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pans and saucepans on gas stoves. In addition, gas hobs usually have a variety of settings, so you can alter the heat to suit your recipe or pan type.
Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models and offer quicker heat-up times they are also an option for those who want to modernize their kitchen. hobs oven is especially the case with induction hobs that come with an oven built in, since they can reduce space in your kitchen by offering a combined oven and hob in one unit.
A child lock is a different feature to look out for. It lets you stop the stove's controls and shields children from accidents in the kitchen. This is an essential feature for parents of young children, as it could assist in avoiding burns and other injuries. In addition some induction hobs come with an option to link two zones together to make a larger cooking area, which can be useful in the event that you're using large pots.
4. Safety
A quality hob will include many safety features. A hot hob indicator will alert you when the surface of the hob is heated. This can prevent accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs have an option for locking the hob to prevent children from turning the hob on or changing settings. Some models will come with a function that lets you combine two cooking zones into a single zone so that you can cook a wider pan.
This is a great feature for families and it will help ensure everyone's safety in the kitchen. It works by monitoring the heat of the stove. If it determines that the pan hasn't been placed correctly or if there's a fire on the hob it will turn off the burner. It's a great way to ensure that your home is safe and you should take it into consideration when you shop.
There are a variety of different types of hobs you can select from which include electric, gas and induction. Gas hobs use an electric flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs have electric rings you can control by pressing a button. There is also the induction hob, which makes use of magnets to heat your pans and won't turn on unless you put a magnetizable metal pan on it. This is a highly efficient kind of hob that cools quickly after the pan is removed.
This kind of hob can be a space saver as it removes the need for an extractor fan. This means that you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It's more expensive than other types of hobs, but it's an excellent choice for any family. It can be used to get rid of the excess steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality in your the home. This is a great choice for families as it can protect against burns and is easy to clean. When choosing a hob there are a lot of options to consider. Take the time to study them all before making your decision.