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How to Choose the Best Hob
There are a lot of aspects to take into consideration when selecting the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is crucial.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs as little as PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs, also well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are another alternative.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three functions called 'Push&Go', this stove from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with controls.
Its style is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with contemporary kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with touch controls that sit in the same place as the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display that informs the current power setting and which of the five zones are in use. The "Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It is perfect for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. Safety features like the hot hob light or automatic shut-off are also useful.
However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, so you might have to alter settings multiple times before your pan reaches the right heat.
This 60 cm model comes with 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 be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. It is perfect for cooking, searing meat or bringing water pans to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected to the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 unique programs that are divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It has a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to set the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and has a range of safety features, such as a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or looking for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. Basic four-zone models are now available at less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth paying more for the latest innovations.
This slick-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology to make your cooking efficient and easy. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9 centimetres and automatically will activate the appropriate zone.
Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the highest temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to save more energy, reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.
The user-friendly interface of this hob impressed testers, with its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function lets you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm.
The hob also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or the possibility of a fire. There are hobs and ovens like a residual heat sensor as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface gets too hot.
It also has an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard stains and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels as well as the FlexiDuo feature to accommodate large pans and is easy to put in. There are a few bonus features like control locks, as well as an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when a pan is placed on top. This means they can reach a temperature faster than gas hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to operate than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create the Dual Zone for larger pans and the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boil quickly. A range of automatic functions like Push&Go allow you to achieve perfectly cooked dishes at the touch of a button. The controls are simple to use and let you select nine power modes, including the P boost option that provides maximum power for each zone for five minutes.
The controls are easy to use, and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. However it took a long time to cool off after we turned off the hob. Our test participants were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function that allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block and an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's overheated. Our test participants were impressed that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass is easy to clean. In contrast to traditional extractor hoods, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is built into the surface. Our experts thought the duct of this hob was simple to clean, even though it took two people to take the filter to change it.
4. Induction Hob by GE
When selecting a kitchen appliance, consider how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and lifestyle. Induction hobs are an excellent choice if you cook with children or older people in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs and a cool-to-touch surface. Alternatively, for those who value speed and efficiency, an electric stove with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is ideal. If you live in areas prone to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power outages may tip the scales in favour of a gas model.