Choosing the Best Hob
The ideal hob for your needs is determined by the type of worktop you have and the space available. The type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are also important factors to consider when choosing the right hob.
A basic gas-on-glass stove costs less than PS100 if you opt for an own-brand model. They're less difficult to clean and come with various safety features including an indicator in red that lights when the surface is heated.
1. Flexibility
A hob that is flexible will assist you in achieving your goals, whether that's perfecting your pancake recipe or cooking a quick meal for the midweek. The best hobs provide precise temperature control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They are perfect for a wide range of recipes. These hobs can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. oven hob of them have the option to add an extractor fan that is built-in, eliminating the necessity of separate overhead appliances and freeing space for your workspace.
Gas hobs provide instant warmth, so it's not a surprise that they are a popular choice. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning to avoid carbon buildup or fires. Additionally, they take longer to heat water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pans rather than the surface of the cooker, which makes them easier to clean. They are more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show fingerprints and scratches.
Hybrid hobs offer the advantages of gas and induction cooking into one unit that lets you change between these two modes based on the type of food you're making. They are ideal for those looking to test their culinary skills but aren't looking to invest in a new kitchen.
This electric hob is a fantastic model that offers flexibility in style and performance. Its dual flex zone can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots, while its controls have an option for locking children that stops children from changing the settings. And it's also designed to be connected to a smart hub, which allows you to manage its functions from your smartphone.
Smeg's induction stove is a high-spec model that is connected to your home Wi-Fi network. It's packed with features that facilitate cooking faster and more easily such as automatic pan detection and PowerBoost, as well as the ability to set a timer as well as the ability to pause. It is also very easy to use with touch controls that respond immediately to changes you make and a sleek, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The most efficient hobs are those that use the least amount of energy, regardless of whether you're boiling water or simmering soup. This means that they're an excellent choice for those who want to cut their electric costs. Induction hobs make use of electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from getting hot. Induction hobs are the safest choice, as they prevent accidental burns. While gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be less expensive to run than electric models.
Our top choice Miele I Flex 90cm induction hob, has plenty of flexibility due to its 'IFlex' zone, which lets you merge two cooking zones into a single area, so you can cook with large pans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls blocks 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 finish, it is easy to clean using only a simple wipe.
Another impressive feature of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which automatically switches off the power to a cooking zone after you have removed your pan. It's not the only hob to have this functionality however it's a fantastic feature that makes life easier when you're cooking a lot of meals for a family or group of friends.
This is a smart stove that is connected to the internet, so you can control it via 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 was able to boil our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is incredibly quick for an Induction stove. It has zones that you can mix, and a Stop & go' button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting.
This induction hob is portable and is compact and ideal for camping or a trip to the university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob that we tested, yet it includes all of our cooking features and an adjustable slider. It also has an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that allows you to adjust the temperature of your pan by dragging it up and down on the surface of your hob. This is great for making sauces and caramel.
3. Convenience
You'll need to think about how the hob will fit into your kitchen and what it could do to improve your home's functionality. This will help you narrow down your choices to help you select the best model for your family as well as your home. It's also worth reading reviews to see what other people have to say about the appliance, as it will help you discern its strengths and weaknesses better.
Certain hob brands are famous for their advanced technology, making them the ideal choice for those who prefer to control their cooking using their smartphones. Samsung's models, as an example include electronic timers that allow you to set precise timeframes and avoid overcooking. This is especially beneficial for those who lead busy lives, as the timer will ensure that your meals are ready when they should be without needing to keep an eye on them.
Gas hobs are a great 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 pans and pans on gas hobs. Gas hobs are often equipped with a range of settings so that you can adjust the temperature to suit your recipe.
Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models and provide faster heat-up times and are an option for those who want to modernize their kitchen. This is particularly true with induction hobs that have an oven built in, since they can save space in your kitchen by providing you with an oven and a hob in one unit.
A child lock is an additional feature to look out for. It allows you to block controls on a stove and protects children from kitchen accidents. This is a particularly important feature for those with young children, since it can aid in avoiding 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 particularly useful when you cook with large pans.
4. Safety
A quality hob has many safety features. These include an indicator for hot hobs that warns you when the surface is heated and will help prevent kitchen accidents. Some hobs also come with an option for a child lock to keep children from turning the stove on or altering its settings. Some may have a feature that allows you to combine two cooking zones into a single zone to allow you to cook a wider pan.
This is a fantastic feature for families with children and it can help keep everyone safe in the kitchen. It operates by monitoring the temperature of the cooktop and if it determines that the pan isn't set properly or there's an occurrence of fire it will shut off the burner immediately. This is a great method to ensure your home is safe and is something you should consider when you shop around.
You can pick between electric, gas and induction hobs. A gas hob uses an electric flame to heat the pans, while an electric hob features electric rings that you can control with the touch of the button. Induction hobs utilize an electric field to heat your pans. They will not work until a pan that is magnetizable is placed on them. This is a highly efficient hob and it will cool down quickly after the pan has been removed.
This kind of hob is a space saver as it eliminates the need for an extractor fan. This means that you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It is more expensive than other kinds of hobs but it's a great option for any family. It can also be used to remove excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which will aid in improving the air quality of your home. This is an excellent choice for families since it is easy to clean and protects against burns. When choosing a hob there are a lot of choices to take into consideration. Take the time to study them all before making a decision.