Choosing the Best Hob
The ideal hob for your needs depends on the type of worktop you are using and the space available. Choosing the right hob also is dependent on the kind of worktop you have and the location of your extractor hood.
A basic gas-on-glass hob costs less than PS100 If you select an exclusive model. They are easier to clean and offer a range of safety features including a red indicator that glows when the surface is hot.
1. Flexibility
A flexible hob will help you to achieve your goals, whether that's improving your pancake making technique or making a quick meal for midweek. The top hobs have precise temperature control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They're ideal for a wide range of recipes. These hobs can be utilized in any kitchen due 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 offer you instant warmth, so it's not a surprise that they are an extremely popular choice. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning to avoid carbon buildup or fires. Plus, they can often take longer to boil water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the surface of the cooker They are, therefore, more easy to clean. But they can also be more expensive than gas hobs, and their glossy surfaces may expose fingerprints and scratches more easily.
Hybrid hobs combine both gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between the two modes based on what you're cooking. These are great for those who want to test their culinary abilities, but aren't looking to invest in a new kitchen.
This electric hob is a fantastic example of a product that is flexible in style and functionality. The dual flex zones can be used to accommodate larger pans or pots. The controls also come with the option of a child lock to prevent children from altering the settings. And it's also designed to be connected to a smart hub which allows you to control its features from your smartphone.
Smeg's induction cooktop is a high-spec model that can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. It's packed with features to facilitate cooking faster and more easily such as automatic pan detection and PowerBoost and an alarm clock and the ability to pause. It's also simple to use, with control buttons that respond instantly to changes you make and sleek modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The most efficient hobs consume as little energy as possible regardless of whether you're cooking soup or bringing water to a boiling point. This makes them an excellent choice for those who want to cut down on their energy bills. Induction hobs are the most efficient that make use of electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan so that the glass stays cool. This makes them the most secure choice to avoid burns from accidental accidents. Although gas hobs may not be as efficient, they can be less expensive to run than electric ones.
The Miele I-Flex induction stove is our top pick. It offers a great deal of flexibility thanks to the 'I Flex zone. This allows you to join two cooking zones together to create a larger area which allows you to use large saucepans and pots. Its touch controls come with an option for children to lock the controls to ensure that children cannot switch off the stove or change settings, which is a good feature for households with small kids. And although the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it is easy to clean with just a little wipe.
Another amazing feature of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which automatically switches off the heating zone when you take your pan off. It's not the only hob to have this functionality however it's an excellent feature that makes life easier when you're cooking a lot of meals for your family or a group of friends.
This is an intelligent stove that connects to the internet, so you can control it with an app that you can download on your smartphone. It can also notify you when food is ready, so that you do not overcook it. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in only four minutes, which is extremely rapid for an induction hob. It comes with flexible cooking zones that can be combined and an '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 has a compact design that's ideal for camping trips or taking to uni. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we tested yet it has the full range of cooking functions and a touch-sensitive slider. It also comes with an integrated 'VaryCook' feature, which allows you to alter the temperature by moving the pan upwards and downwards on the surface of the hob, which is ideal for making sauces or caramel.
3. Convenience
You'll want to consider how the stove will fit into your kitchen and what it can contribute to improving the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow down your choices and choose the one that's ideal for your family, you and your home. You should also read reviews to find out what other people think about the appliance. This will aid in understanding its strengths and weaknesses.
Certain brands of hobs are known for their smart technology, making them the go-to option for those who wish to control their cooking via their mobile. For example, Samsung's models feature electronic timers that let you to set precise cooking times and avoid overcooking. This is especially helpful for those who lead busy lives and can be used by the timer to make sure that meals are prepared on time, without needing to keep an watch over them.
Gas hobs are a great choice for those who want an old-fashioned look, since they can be used with a range of cookware styles and sizes. This includes non-flat-bottomed pans and pans, which can be difficult to accommodate on other types of hob. Gas hobs are usually equipped with a range of settings, so that you can alter the temperature to suit your recipe.
Induction hobs, which are more energy-efficient than gas models and offer quicker heat-up times and are a popular choice among those looking to modernise a kitchen. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are especially popular since they can reduce space by mixing the oven and hob into one.
Another feature to look out for is a child lock, that allows you to shut off the controls on a hob and protect children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This is particularly important for families with children, as it will help prevent burns and other injuries. Many induction hobs also include a feature that permits you to connect two zones together, resulting in an even larger cooking area. This is particularly useful for large pans.
4. Safety
A good hob has several safety features. These include a hot hob indicator which will alert you when the surface is extremely hot and can stop kitchen accidents. Some hobs also come with a child lock that will prevent children from turning the hob on or altering settings. Some hobs have a feature that allows you join two cooking zones to create a larger zone, so you can cook in a larger pan.
This is an excellent feature for families and it can ensure that everyone is safe in the kitchen. It works by observing the temperature of the hob. If it determines that the pan hasn't been properly placed, or if there is an ignition on the stove, it will automatically turn off the burner. This is a great method to ensure that your home is safe and is something you should consider when shopping for a new stove.
There are a number of different types of hobs that you can pick from, including gas, electric and induction. A gas hob uses an electric flame to heat your pans while an electric hob has electric rings that you are able to control by pressing one button. There is also the induction hob that uses an electric field to heat your pans and will not turn on until you place a magnetizable metal pan on it. This is a very efficient type of hob and it will cool down quickly after the pan has been removed.
This kind of hob is able to save space as it does not require an extractor fan. You can therefore have an easier kitchen design. It's more expensive than other types of hobs, but it's a great option for any family. It can be used to eliminate excess smoke and steam from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality in your home. This is a fantastic option for families because it will protect you from burns and is easy to clean. There are a number of different options available for you to think about when choosing a hob, so be sure to take the time to research every one before making a decision.