Choosing the Best Hob
Choosing the best hob depends on your cooking preferences and the space you have available. The selection of the best hob is dependent on the type of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.
If you opt for a brand-name model, the basic gas-on glass stove will cost less than PS100. They're easier to clean and offer various safety features, including the red indicator that illuminates when the surface is hot.
1. Flexibility
Whether you're looking to cook your own quick midweek meal or perfect your pancake technique A hob that is flexible is key. The top hobs offer precise control of heat, and come with features like dual wok burners as well as a large cooking area which makes them perfect for a wide range of recipes. These hobs can be utilized in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. Additionally, many have the option of adding an extractor fan built-in, eliminating the need for an additional overhead appliance, and freeing up space on your worktop.
Gas hobs are able to provide instant warmth. It's no wonder they are so popular. However, they need regular cleaning to ensure you aren't at risk of carbon build-up on your stove or a fire bursting out. They also take longer to heat water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pans rather than the surface of the cooker, making them less difficult to clean. They are more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display fingerprints and scratches.
Hybrid hobs offer the advantages of gas and induction cooking into one appliance, allowing you to switch between modes depending on the type of food you're making. They're ideal for those who enjoy flexing their culinary skills, but don't have the time or space for a full-on kitchen upgrade.
This electric hob is a great example of a product that offers flexibility in both style and functionality. Its dual flex zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls feature the feature of a child lock that stops children from changing the settings. It's also designed to connect to a smart hub so you can control the features using your smartphone.
Smeg's induction cooktop is a high-spec model that can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. It's got a lot of features that make cooking more efficient and quicker, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It's also extremely easy to use with touch controls that react immediately to changes in the recipe and an elegant design that will be perfect for the modern kitchen.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs consume as little energy as possible when you're simmering soup or bringing water to the boiling point. This means that they're ideal for those who want to cut down on their electricity costs. Induction hobs are the most efficient kind that make use of electromagnetic fields to heat your pan directly so that the glass stays cool. Induction hobs are a safer choice as they protect against accidental burns. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be more affordable to run than electric ones.
The Miele I-Flex induction hob is our top pick. It offers a great deal of flexibility, because of the "I Flex zone. It allows you to combine two cooking zones together into one large area, which allows you to use large saucepans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls stops children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is a fantastic feature for families with young children. Although the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it's easy to clean using just a little wipe.
This hob also has an "Pan detection function" that will shut off the power to a specific cooking area when you remove a pan. It's not the only hob with this feature however it's an excellent addition that makes your life easier when you're cooking many meals for a family or group of friends.
This is an intelligent stove that connects to the internet so that you can control it using an app that you can download on your smartphone. It will notify you when food is ready to cook so you don't overcook it. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is extremely quick for an Induction stove. It comes with flexible cooking zones that can be combined and a 'Stop & Go' button that reduces all the cooking zones to the lowest setting, making it easy to turn off.
This induction hob is portable and is compact and ideal for camping or taking to university. It's the lightest and thinnest hob we've tested however it still comes with the full range of cooking options and an intuitive touch slider. It also comes with a built-in "VaryCook" function that lets you to alter the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down on the hob surface. This is ideal for making sauces and caramel.
3. Convenience
When selecting a new kitchen appliance, you'll have to consider how it will fit into your kitchen's design and how it can do to improve the utility of your home. This will help narrow down your options so that you can select one that is suitable for your family as well as your home. It's also worth reading reviews to learn what other users have thought about the appliance, as this will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses better.
Certain brands of hobs have smart technology that makes them the top option for those who want to control their cooking through their smartphones. Samsung's models, for example include electronic timers that allow you to set precise times and stop overcooking. This is especially beneficial for those who lead hectic lives, since the timer lets you ensure that your meals are ready when they should be, without needing to keep an eye on them.
Gas hobs are also a good option for those who prefer traditional style, since they can be used with a range of cookware sizes and styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed cookware and pans on gas hobs. Gas hobs usually come with a variety of settings so that you can alter the temperature to fit the recipe you are cooking.
Induction hobs are a popular choice for those who are looking to modernize their kitchens, as they provide quicker heating times and are more energy efficient than gas models. This is especially true with induction hobs that come with a built-in oven, as they can help you save space in your kitchen by providing you with an oven and a hob in one unit.
Another thing to look out for is a child lock, which lets you block the controls of a hob and shield children from accidents in the kitchen. This is particularly important for families with children as it can prevent burns and other injuries. A lot of induction hobs come with a feature that allows the linking of two zones together, creating an even larger cooking area. This is useful if you use large pans.
4. Safety
A quality hob will include a number of safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the stove is hot. This will help avoid accidents in the cooking area. Certain hobs feature an option for locking the hob to prevent children from turning on the hob or changing settings. Certain hobs come with the ability to join two cooking zones into an even larger area, so you can cook a large pan.
This is a great feature for families and it will help keep everyone safe in the kitchen. It works by monitoring the heat of the stove. If it determines that the pan hasn't been positioned correctly or if there's a fire on the hob it will shut off the burner. This is a great method to keep your home secure and is something you should look for when shopping for a new stove.
You can select between electric, gas and induction hobs. Gas hobs utilize a flame for heating your pans. Electric hobs come with electric rings you can control by pressing a button. Induction hobs use magnets to heat your pans. They won't work unless a magnetizable pan is placed on them. This is a very efficient hob and it will cool down quickly when the pan is removed.
This kind of hob can be an efficient space-saver since it does not require an extractor fan, which means you can have a streamlined kitchen design. It is more expensive than other hobs however it is an excellent option for any household. It can be used to eliminate excess smoke and steam from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality in your home. hobs oven is a great choice for families as it can protect against burns and is easy to clean. There are many options to consider when choosing a hob, so take the time to research every one before making a decision.