Choosing the Best Hob
The ideal hob for you depends on the type of worktop and the space available. Choosing the right type of hob requires a look at the kind of worktop you have and the location of your extractor hood.
A basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100 If you select an own-brand model. They're less difficult to clean and have various safety features, including a red indicator that glows when the surface is hot.
1. Flexibility
If you're looking to whip your own quick midweek meal or perfect your pancake recipe, a flexible hob is key. The best hobs provide precise control of heat, and come by incorporating features such as dual wok burners as well as a large cooking area which makes them perfect for a variety of recipes. They can also be used in a variety of kitchens, thanks to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Many come with an option to add an extractor fan built-in which eliminates the necessity of separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space on your workspace.
Gas hobs provide instant heating. It's no wonder they are so popular. However, they need regular cleaning to ensure you aren't at risk of carbon build-up on your hob or a fire bursting. They also 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 can be more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show fingerprints and scratches.
best hob uk integrate gas and induction cooking into a single product. You can switch between the two modes based on the food you're cooking. These are great for those looking to test their culinary abilities, but don't want to invest in a new kitchen.
This electric hob is a fantastic model that is flexible in design and function. Its dual flex zones can be combined to fit larger pans or pots. The controls also feature a child lock that prevents children from changing the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so you can manage the features via your smartphone.
Smeg's induction cooktop is a high-end model that is connected to your home WiFI network. It's loaded with features that make cooking faster and easier, including automatic pan detection and PowerBoost as well as the ability to set a timer as well as an option to pause. It's also incredibly simple to use with control buttons that respond immediately to changes, and a sleek design that would be perfect for modern kitchens.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs use the minimal amount of energy whether you're boiling water or simmering soup. This means they're an excellent choice for those who want to cut their electric costs. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan which prevents the glass from heating up. This ensures they are safe, preventing accidental burns. Gas hobs might not be as efficient but they are cheaper to operate than electric models.
Our top pick, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction stove, offers plenty of flexibility because of its 'I-Flex' zone that allows you to merge two cooking zones into a single area, so you can cook with big pans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls prevents children from turning the stove or changing settings. This is a great feature for families with children. Ceramic glass is matte, but it can be cleaned by a simple wipe.
Another amazing feature of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which switches off the heating zone after you have removed your pan. It's not the only hob that has this feature, but it is an excellent addition to simplify your life if you cook for a large family or group of friends.
This is a smart hob, which connects to the internet, allowing you to control it using an app on your tablet or smartphone. It will alert you when food is ready so you don't overcook it. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water with this model, which is a lot for an induction cooktop. It has cooking zones that are flexible that you can mix and the "Stop & Go button that reduces all the cooking zones to the lowest setting making it easy to turn off.
This compact induction cooker is perfect for camping trips and also for taking to university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we've tested, but it still has all of our cooking functions as well as an adjustable slider. It also comes with an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that allows you to control the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down the surface of your hob. This is great for making sauces and caramel.
3. Convenience
When choosing a new hob you should think about the way it's incorporated into your kitchen's design and how it will add to the functionality of your home. This will help narrow down the options to help you select one that is suitable for your family and property. You should also review reviews to learn what others think of the appliance. This will help you better understand its strengths and weaknesses.
Some hob brands have intelligent technology, making them the ideal option for those who want to control their cooking through 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 people who have busy lives, as the timer allows you to ensure that your meals are cooked when they should be without having to constantly monitor them.
Gas hobs are also a good option for those looking for an old-fashioned look, since they can be used with a range of cookware styles and sizes. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pans and saucepans on gas stoves. Additionally, gas hobs typically provide a range of settings, which means you can alter the heat to fit the pan you are using or your recipe.
Induction hobs are another popular option for those looking to modernise their kitchen because they offer faster heating times and are more efficient in energy use than gas models. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are particularly popular since they can reduce space by combining the oven and hob in one unit.
A child lock is an additional feature to be on the lookout for. It lets you stop the stove's controls and shields children from kitchen accidents. This is particularly important for families with young children, as it will help prevent burns and other injuries. Many induction hobs also come with a feature that allows the linking of two zones together, creating more cooking space. This is helpful when you cook with large pans.
4. Safety
A good hob will have several safety features. These will include an indicator for hot hobs that will warn you when the surface is heated and will help prevent kitchen accidents. Some hobs come with an option for locking the hob to prevent children from turning on the hob or changing settings. Certain hobs come with a feature that allows you combine two cooking zones to create a larger zone, so you can cook a large pan.
This is a great feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is secure. It monitors the temperature of the cooktop and if it determines that the pan isn't positioned properly or there's an occurrence of fire, it will shut off the burner immediately. It's a great way to ensure your home is safe and you should take it into consideration when shopping.
You can pick between electric, gas, and induction hobs. A gas hob uses the use of a flame to heat your pans, while an electric hob features electric rings that you can control with the touch of the button. Then there is the induction hob which uses magnets to heat your pans and will not start unless you place a magnetizable metal pan on top of it. This is an efficient type of hob that will cool quickly after the pan has been removed.
This kind of hob can be a space saver as it does not require an extractor fan, so you can have a sleek kitchen design. It's more expensive than other kinds of hobs but it's a great option for any family. It is also able to remove excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which can help improve the air quality of your home. This is a fantastic choice for families, as it is easy to clean and shields against burns. When it comes to choosing a cooktop, there are a lot of options to think about. It is important to study them all before making your choice.