How to Choose the
best oven uk Hob
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is crucial.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for one with many features. Gas hobs are also a popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
This Haier stove has four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go" functions and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was also one of the fastest tested to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to mess around using controls.
Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest directly on the worktop.
The controls are simple to operate and we loved the clear display that tells you the current power settings and which of the five zones are in use. The "Boost" feature produces powerful heat in a short time. It's ideal for stir-frying and rapidly bringing pans to boil. The hob's hot light
ovens and hobs uk the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.
However, it's not as sensitive to touch as other
hobs and ovens we tested. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to seven or six for other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react to changes in temperature. You may have to adjust the settings a few times to get the right heat.
This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots. Dual-ring design permits it to be operated on both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing pots of water to a rapid boiling point.
It is fully connected through 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 features a multislider controls panel with a "lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn pan sets and has a range of safety features, such as an adjustable control panel that locks and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done on your kitchen or simply looking for an alternative to gas, induction
hobs oven are becoming more popular. Prices have slashed dramatically over the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now available for less than PS100. If you are looking for the most modern induction technology, it is worth paying a bit more.
This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically activates the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve power based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy by reducing power output to as little as 2.4kW.
Testers were awed by the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that move along the edges of the hob to follow the pan. The control panel's color scheme helps you quickly identify the status of each zone,
hob while the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are a variety of useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting, boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
The hob also has an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a meal that's been burned or an igniting fire. There are other safety features, like a residual heat indicator as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot.
It's also hard-wearing with the CleanProtect coating that is designed to protect it from tough marks and stains from cooking. The
hob comes with nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' for accommodating large pans and is easy to install. There are a few bonus features like locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against accidental pressing of buttons.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Powered by electricity rather than gas,
hob induction hobs use copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs and they use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to get creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans as well as a rapid Booster zone to bring water to the boiling point quickly. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook perfectly at the touch one button. The controls are easy to operate and allow you to select nine power modes including the P boost option that provides maximum power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is perfect for modern kitchens. In our tests it quickly heated up a pan once we placed it on the Booster Zone, and pasta water that was boiling. It took a while for it to cool down after turning off the hob, and our test subjects had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
As well as 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 an overheating and child lock block, as well as an auto shut-off feature that stops the hob working when it's too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and there are no flames visible. Our test subjects were pleased with that. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room through a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, however it required two people in order to remove the filter.
4. GE Induction Hob
Consider how the hob can work with the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style is. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features like automatic shut-off and cool to the touch surface may make an induction hob an ideal option. For those who are looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass front on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are a great option for those who live in areas prone to power outages.