11 Ways To Completely Revamp Your Best Hob

How to Choose the Best Hob There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important. A basic electric ceramic hob can cost as little as PS100 however, you'll have to spend more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs, which are popular and offer great temperature control, but are more expensive, are another alternative. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob This Haier hob comes with four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go” functions, and can help you prepare quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It has a child lock and an pause feature, so you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls. Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with contemporary kitchens. ovens hobs is typically made from glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit flush on the worktop. The controls were simple to operate and we loved the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for just a short period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil fast. The hob's light that is hot and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too. However it's not as responsive to touch as some other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react to changes in temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings a few times before you get the proper temperature. The model in 60 cm has four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to operate with both “normal” and “boost” power levels. Boost is ideal for frying meat, searing it or bringing pans of water to a rapid boil. It's fully connected via the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 unique programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third party companies and has various safety features like a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob Whether you're having work done on your kitchen or simply looking for an alternative to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models are now sold for less that PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost for the most up-to-date technology. This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system recognises pots that have dimensions of at least 9cm and then automatically activates the zone that is appropriate. Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency, but it doesn't ignore the flexibility of this appliance – it can be adjusted to save energy based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. There are other options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 2 kW. The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, with its simple sliding controls that follow your pan along the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded layout allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo” function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results. In addition to this, the hob has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you if there is any danger of a fire or food that has been burned. There are a variety of safety features, like an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot. It also has an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough staining and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' to accommodate large pans and is easy to put in. There are a host of additional features, such as lockable controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs use copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is set on the top. This means they can reach a temperature much quicker than conventional gas hobs and can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking area only is heated when you turn on a pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to clean and that's why they're a popular choice. Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to help you get creative in the cooking. It has two separate zones that can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection by pressing the button. The controls are simple to use and let you select nine power modes, including a P boost setting that gives maximum power for each zone for five minutes. The controls are also simple to use and have modern, minimalist designs that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan when we put it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. It took some time to cool down after we turned off the hob, and the testers could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel. Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go, this Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off system which prevents the oven from working when it gets too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by the fact that it's. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room by a duct located on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, but it required two people to remove the filter. 4. Induction Hob by General Electric When selecting a kitchen appliance take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, and also your cooking style and life. For instance, if frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface may make an induction cooker the best option. If you prioritize speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a clean ceramic glass facia is ideal. If you live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, having the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may make the difference in favor of gas models.