Choosing the Best Hob
The best hob to choose depends on your cooking preferences and available space. Choosing the right type of hob requires a look at the type of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.
A basic gas-on-glass stove costs less than PS100 If you select an original brand. They are easier to clean and have a range of safety features including an indicator in red that lights when the surface is heated.
1. Flexibility
Whether you're looking to cook an easy midweek meal or perfect your pancake recipe, a flexible hob is crucial. The best hobs give you precise temperature control, by incorporating features such as dual wok burners as well as an enormous cooking space which makes them perfect for a variety of dishes. They can also be used in a range of kitchens thanks to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Additionally, many have the option of an extractor fan built-in which eliminates the need for an additional overhead appliance, and freeing up space on your worktop.
Gas hobs are able to provide instant heating. They're no wonder they are popular. Gas hobs require regular cleaning in order to prevent carbon build-up and fires. In addition, they typically take longer to boil water than models that use induction.
Induction hobs heat the pan itself instead of the cooktop surface, so they are generally 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 integrate gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between both modes based on what you're cooking. They are ideal for those who want to test their culinary skills but aren't looking to upgrade their kitchen.
This electric hob is an excellent example of a product that allows for flexibility in style and function. The dual flex zones can be used to accommodate larger pans or pots. The controls also have a child lock that prevents children from altering the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub, which allows you to manage its functions using your smartphone.
Smeg's induction stove is a high-end model that can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. It's loaded with features that facilitate cooking faster and more easily with features like automatic pan detection and PowerBoost, as well as a timer and the ability to pause. It's also incredibly simple to use and has touch controls that react immediately to your changes and a sleek design that would be perfect for the modern kitchen.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs use the most energy, whether you are boiling water or simmering soup. This means they're an excellent choice for those who want to cut their electric costs. Induction hobs are the most efficient kind employing electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan so that the glass stays cool. Induction hobs are a safer choice as they protect against accidental burns. Gas hobs might not be as efficient, but they're less expensive than electric models.
Our top pick Miele I Flex 90cm induction hob, has plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'I-Flex' zone which lets you merge two cooking zones into one large area so you can cook with large pans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls stops children from turning the hob or changing settings. This is a fantastic feature for families with young children. And although the ceramic glass has a matte finish it's easy to clean with just a little wipe.
The Hob also has a 'Pan detection function' that shuts off power to a particular cooking zone when you take off a pan. This is not the only hob with this feature, but it's an excellent feature to make life easier if you cook a lot for a large family or group of friends.
This is an intelligent stove that connects to the internet so that you can control it with an app that you can download on your smartphone. It will notify you when food is ready to cook so you don't overcook. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is incredibly fast for an Induction hob. It has flexible zones that you can combine and a stop & go' button which reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting.
This portable induction hob has a compact design that's ideal for camping trips or taking to university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we tested, but still has an extensive set of cooking options and an intuitive touch slider. It also has an integrated 'VaryCook' feature that lets you alter the temperature by moving the pan up and down the surface of the hob, which is ideal to make caramel or sauces.
3. Convenience
You'll need to think about how the hob will fit in your kitchen and what it can help improve the efficiency of your home. This will help narrow down your options so that you can pick a model that's ideal for your family and property. It's important to read reviews and find out what others have to say about the appliance. this can help you to discern its strengths and weaknesses.
Certain brands of hobs come with advanced technology that makes them the ideal choice for those looking to control their cooking through their smartphone. For instance Samsung's models come with electronic timers that let you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is particularly beneficial for those with busy lifestyles, as you can use the timer to ensure that meals are prepared on time, without needing to keep an watch on them.
Gas hobs can also be an excellent option for those who want an older-style feel. They can be used to cook using a wide variety of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed pots and pans that can be difficult to fit on other types of hob. Additionally, gas hobs typically provide a range of settings, so you can alter the heat to fit your pan's style or recipe.
Induction hobs are another popular option for those who are looking to modernize their kitchens, as they provide quicker heat-up times and are more efficient in energy use than gas models. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are very popular because they save space by combining the oven and hob into one unit.
A child lock is a different feature to be on the lookout for. It lets you disable the controls on a stove and shields children from accidents in the kitchen. This feature is especially important for families with young children, as it will help prevent burns and other injuries. Many induction hobs also include a feature that permits you to link two zones together, resulting in an even larger cooking area. This is helpful for large pans.
4. Safety
A quality hob has many safety features. They will have a hot hob indicator which will alert you when the surface is extremely hot and will prevent accidents in the kitchen. Some hobs have a child lock to prevent children from turning the hob on or altering the settings. Some hobs have an option to join two cooking zones into an additional zone, meaning you can cook a wide pan.
This is an excellent feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is safe. It works by monitoring the heat of the hob. If it finds that the pan has not been placed correctly, or if there is an ignition on the stove, it will automatically stop the burner. This is a great method to ensure your home is secure and is something you should look for when shopping for a new stove.
You can pick between electric, gas, and induction hobs. Gas hobs use a flame for heating your pans. Electric hobs have electronic rings that can be controlled by pressing the button. Then there is the induction hob which uses an electric field to heat your pans and will not turn on until you place a magnetizable metal pan on it. It is a very efficient hob, and it cools quickly once hobs oven the pan has been removed.
This kind of hob can save space because it does not require an extractor fan. It is therefore possible to have a an easier kitchen design. It's more expensive than other kinds of hobs, however it's a great choice for any family. It is also able to remove excess steam and smoke from the kitchen, which can aid in improving the air quality of your home. This is a great option for families since it is easy to clean and shields against burns. When choosing a hob there are many choices to take into consideration. It is important to study them all before making your choice.