10 Best Hob-Related Meetups You Should Attend
10 Best Hob-Related Meetups You Should Attend
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How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob to buy there are a variety of factors to consider. From price to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding on the features that are important is crucial.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost less than PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs, which are popular and offer great temperature control, but are expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier hob has four cooking zones, three "Push&Go" functions, and will help you prepare quick meals. It was also one of the quickest tested to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an pause feature, meaning you can stop the process without having to faff around using controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has control buttons that sit in the same place as the worktop for easy use.
The controls are simple to use and we liked the clear display that tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones are active. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for just a short period of time, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to a boil quickly. Safety features like the light on the hot hob and automatic shutoff are beneficial.
It's not as responsive as the other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, as opposed to six or seven for other models. It takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you might have to alter settings multiple times before your pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
This model is 60cm long and comes with four cooking zones including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It features a dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal and boost' power levels. It is great for cooking meat and searing it, or making water come to a quick boiling.
It's fully connected via the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes with cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and preparation types. It has a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with several safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have plummeted over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you're looking for the latest induction technology, it is worth paying a little more.
This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology to make cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with minimum diameters of 9 cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually.
Smeg's attention to energy savings doesn't overlook flexibility either - this hob is designed to save power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones to suit your cooking needs. There are options to save even more energy using the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 kW.
Testers were impressed with the hob's user-friendly design that has intuitive controls that slide along the edge of the hob in order to follow the pan. The control panel's colour scheme lets you quickly see the operational status of each zone, while the Flexi Duo function allows you to connect two zones to cater for larger pans. There are plenty of useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling, melting, slow cooking and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
The hob also has a FlameSensor which will alert you in the event of a burnt-on meal or a fire. There are a variety of safety features, such as an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface becomes too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough staining and cooking marks. This model has nine power levels, an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to allow for large pans, and is easy to install. There are a few bonus features such as locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on the top. They heat up faster than gas hobs and they use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too and that's why they're a popular option.
Indesit's induction hob is full of features that will allow you to get creative in the cooking. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined into a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook with perfection with the click of the button. Nine power modes that include a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily selected with the controls, which move across the bottom of the cooktop to follow the pans.
The controls are simple to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we put it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and our testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
As well as the Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It has a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off system which stops the hob from working if it gets too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there were no visible flames that were messy and messy, and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room via a duct on the surface. Our experts thought this hob's duct was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to lift the filter out to change it.
4. GE Induction Hob
When selecting a kitchen appliance take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's style and layout, in addition to your cooking style and life. For example, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features like an automatic shut-off ovensandhobs.uk or an icy to the touch surface could make an induction cooker the best option. For those who prioritize efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a clean ceramic glass facia is a great choice. Gas hobs are a great option for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.