Are You Responsible For The Best Hob Budget? 10 Amazing Ways To Spend Your Money
Are You Responsible For The Best Hob Budget? 10 Amazing Ways To Spend Your Money
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How to Choose the Best Hob
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.
A basic ceramic electric hob can cost just PS100. However you'll need to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs, which are 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 'Push&Go' functions, this stove from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is sleek and contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with controls that are in the same place as the worktop to make it easy to use.
The controls are intuitive to use and we liked the clear display which tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones are active. The "Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal to stir fry and speedily heating up pans. The hot hob light and automatic shutdown are useful safety features, too.
It's not as responsive as other hobs we tested in this test. We found that it took nine presses on the control to achieve the highest temperature, in contrast to six or seven on other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond when you alter the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings several times before you get the proper heat.
This 60 cm model includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. It has dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal' and 'boost' power levels. Boost is ideal for frying and searing meat, or bringing water pans to a rapid boiling point.
It's fully connected via the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes with guided cooking and 30 unique programmes split into different food categories and preparation types. It has an intuitive multislider interface, as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third-party manufacturers and comes with various security features, including a lockable panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free option. Prices have slashed in the last few years, with the simplest four-zone models starting at less than PS100. But if you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost for the latest innovations.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's focus on energy saving does not leave out flexibility too This hob is designed to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking preferences. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to save more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.
Testers were impressed with the hob's user-friendly design, with intuitive sliding controls that slide across the edge of the hob, allowing it to follow the pan. The control panel's colour-coded scheme makes it easy to identify the status of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" function lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automatic cooking presets (melting boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for quick results.
The hob also has a FlameSensor that can alert you if there's a danger of a meal that's been burned or a fire. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat sensor and an automatic shut-off if the surface becomes too hot.
It is also resistant to hard stains and comes with a CleanProtect protective coating. The hob comes with nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' to accommodate large pans and is easy to put in. There are some additional features such as control locks, as well as a safety fuse to protect against accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. They can heat up much quicker than gas hobs, and they also consume less energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas and they are also simpler to clean.
This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pans as well as a rapid Booster zone to bring water to the boiling point quickly. For instance, the Push&Go lets you cook flawlessly at the touch a button. The controls are simple to use and allow you to select nine power modes, including a P boost setting which gives the highest power to 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 when we put it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. However it took an extended time to cool down once we shut off the hob. Our testers were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
Alongside having a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also has a child lock and an overheating block and an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no messy, visible flames and the glass is easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs draw steam and smoke away from the pan and out of the room through a duct in the surface. Our experts thought the duct of this hob was simple to clean, though it took two people to take the filter out and change it.
4. Induction Hob from General Electric
Consider how the hob will work with the layout and design of your kitchen, as well as what your cooking style is. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features such Best ovens UK as automatic shut-off and an icy to the touch surface may make an induction hob an ideal choice. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are an excellent choice for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.