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 used and the location of the extractor hood are important aspects to consider when deciding on the right hob.
If you choose an own-brand model, an ordinary gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are easier to clean and offer a range of safety features including the red indicator that illuminates when the surface is heated.
1. Flexibility
A hob that is flexible will help you to achieve your goals, whether that's perfecting your pancake recipe or cooking a quick meal for midweek. The best hobs provide precise temperature control, with features such as dual wok burners and an enormous cooking space making them ideal for a variety of recipes. They can also be used in a range of kitchens due to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Plus, many come with the option of adding an integrated extractor fan that eliminates the need for a separate overhead appliance and freeing space on your worktop.
Gas hobs provide instant warmth. They're no wonder they are popular. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning to avoid carbon buildup and fires. Additionally, they often take longer to boil water than models that use induction.
Induction hobs heat the pans rather than the surface of the cooker, which makes them easier to clean. They can be more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show fingerprints and scratches.
Hybrid hobs bring the benefits of both gas and induction cooking into one product, allowing you to switch between the two depending on the kind of food you're cooking. These are great for those looking to test their culinary skills, but do not want to make a major investment in their kitchen.
This electric hob is an excellent example of a product that allows for flexibility in style and function. Its dual flex zone can be combined to accommodate larger pans and pots, while its controls have the feature of a child lock that stops children from changing the settings. It's also designed to connect to a smart hub so that you can manage the features via your smartphone.
If you're looking for a top-quality induction hob that can connect to the Wi-Fi network in your home then look no further than this one from Smeg. It's packed with features to help cook faster and more efficiently with features like automatic pan detection and PowerBoost, as well as a timer and an option to pause. It's also simple to use thanks to control buttons that respond instantly to any changes you make and a sleek, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The most efficient hobs consume the least amount of energy regardless of whether you're simmering soup or bringing water up to boil. They're also a great option for those looking to cut down on their electric bill. Induction hobs are the most efficient type employing electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan to ensure that your glass stays cool. This makes them the most secure choice to avoid burns from accidental accidents. Gas hobs aren't as efficient but they are cheaper to operate than electric models.
Our top choice, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, has plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'I-Flex' zone that lets you merge two cooking zones into one large area, so you can cook with large pots and pans. The child lock on the touch controls prevents children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is a fantastic feature for families with young children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it's easy to clean using just a wipe.
Another impressive feature of this model is its 'Pan detection' function, which switches off the power to a cooking zone when you remove your pan. It's not the only one that has this feature however it's a fantastic feature that makes life easier when you're cooking many 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 on your smartphone. It can alert you when food is ready so you don't overcook it. It took just four minutes to boil our test pan of water using this model, which is a lot for an induction stove. It comes with flexible cooking zones that can be combined and a 'Stop & Go button that lowers all cooking zones to the lowest setting making it easy to switch off.
The induction cooker is portable and has a slim design that's ideal for camping or taking to uni. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we've tested, but still has the full range of cooking functions and a touch-sensitive slider. It also comes with an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that lets you to adjust the temperature of your pan hob uk by moving it up and down the surface of your hob. This is perfect for making caramel sauces and sauces.
3. Convenience
When choosing a new hob you should think about the way it's incorporated into your kitchen design and what it will add to the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow your options and select the model that's best for your family and your home. You should also read reviews to find out what others think of the appliance. This can help you better understand its strengths and weaknesses.
Some hob brands are renowned for their smart technology, which makes them the top choice for those who prefer to control their cooking via their mobile. For example, Samsung's models feature electronic timers that allow you to determine precise cooking times and avoid overcooking. This is particularly helpful for those with busy lifestyles because you can use the timer to make sure that meals are prepared at the correct time without having to keep a close watch on them.
Gas hobs are a good option for those seeking an older-style feel. They can be used to cook with a broad range of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed pans and pans, which can be difficult to fit on other types of hob. Additionally, gas hobs typically have a variety of settings, meaning you can adjust the heat to fit the pan you are using or your recipe.
Induction hobs, which are more energy-efficient than gas models and offer faster heating times they are also popular among those who are looking to modernize a kitchen. This is especially true with induction hobs that have an oven built-in, as they can help you save space in your kitchen by providing you with an oven and hob in one unit.
A child lock is a different feature to look out for. It lets you stop the stove's controls and safeguards children from accidents in the kitchen. This is a particularly important feature for families with young children, since it can aid in avoiding burns and other injuries. Induction hobs often include a feature that permits you to connect two zones together, resulting in an even larger cooking area. This is helpful for large pans.
4. Safety
A high-quality hob comes with many safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the stove is hot. This can prevent accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs come with an option for locking the hob to prevent children from turning the hob on or altering the settings. Some may have a feature that allows you to combine two cooking zones into one zone, allowing you to cook in a larger pan.
This is a great feature for family households and can help ensure everyone's safety in the kitchen. It works by monitoring the temperature of the hob and if it senses that the pan isn't set correctly or there's an incident of fire it will shut down the burner instantly. It's a great way to ensure that your home is safe and it's something you should think about when shopping.
There are a variety of different types of hobs that you can select from which include electric, gas and induction. A gas hob makes use of the use of a flame to heat your pans while an electric hob comes with electric rings that you are able to control by pressing a button. Induction hobs utilize a magnetic field for heating your pans. They will not work without a magnetizable pan placed on them. This is a reliable type of hob that will cool quickly after the pan is removed.
This type of hob is an ideal space saver since it removes the need for an extractor fan. This means that you can have a streamlined kitchen design. It can be more expensive than other types of hobs but it is a fantastic choice for any home. It can also be used to get rid of excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which will help improve the air quality inside your home. This is a fantastic option for families since it protects against burns and is easy to clean. There are many different options to consider when choosing a hob, so be sure to take the time to research each one prior to making a decision.