Choosing the Best Hob
Choosing the best hob depends on your cooking preferences as well as the space available. Choosing the right type of hob requires a look at the type of worktop you have and the location of your extractor hood.
If you choose an own-brand model, the basic gas-on glass stove will cost less than PS100. They are simpler to clean, and include many safety features such as a red indicator which glows when they are hot.
1. Flexibility
If you're looking to whip your own quick midweek meal or master your pancake making technique, a movable hob is essential. The best hobs offer precise heat control, two wok burners, and a huge cooking surface. They are perfect for a wide variety of recipes. These hobs can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. In addition, many of them come with the option of adding an extractor fan built-in, eliminating the need for an overhead appliance and freeing up space on your worktop.
Gas hobs are able to provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're the most popular option. They do require periodic cleaning to ensure that you don't run the risk of carbon build-up on your hob or a fire bursting. Additionally, they often take longer to boil water than induction models.
Induction hobs are able to heat pans more than the surface of the cooker, which makes them easier to clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs, while their glossy surfaces can reveal fingerprints and scratches more easily.
Hybrid hobs integrate gas and induction cooking into a single product. You can switch between both modes based on the food you're cooking. They are ideal for those who want to test their culinary skills, but aren't looking to make a major investment in their kitchen.
This electric hob is a fantastic model that is flexible in design and function. Its dual flex zone can be combined to accommodate larger pots and pans and its controls feature an option for locking children which prevents children from altering the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so you can manage its functions using your smartphone.
Smeg's induction stove is a high-spec model that can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. It's packed with features that make cooking faster and easier, including automatic pan detection and PowerBoost as well as a timer and a pause function. It's also easy to use thanks to touch controls that respond immediately to any 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. They're also a good option for those who wish to cut down on their electric bill. Induction hobs make use of electromagnetic fields to heat the pan directly, preventing the glass from becoming hot. Induction hobs are the most secure option, since they avoid accidental burns. Gas hobs aren't as efficient, but they are cheaper to operate than electric ones.
Our top pick is the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction stove, offers plenty of flexibility due to its 'IFlex' zone, which lets you merge two cooking zones into one area so you can cook with big pans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls stops children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is a great feature for families with small children. And although the ceramic glass has a matte finish it is easy to clean using just a little wipe.
Another great aspect of this hob is its "Pan detection" function, which switches off the cooking zone's power when you remove your pan. This isn't the only hob to have this feature, but it is an excellent addition to simplify your life when you cook a lot for a large family or group of friends.
This is a smart stove that is connected to the internet so that you can control it using an app that you can download on your smartphone. It can also notify you when your food is ready, so you don't overcook it. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in less than four minutes, which is very fast for an Induction hob. It comes with flexible zones that can be combined with a Stop & go' button that reduces the cooking zones to the lowest setting.
This induction hob is portable and has a compact design that's perfect for camping trips or a trip to the university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob we've tested, but still has a full set of cooking options and a touch-sensitive slider. It also comes with an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that lets you to adjust the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down the hob surface. This is great to make caramel and sauces.
3. Convenience
You should think about how the stove will fit in your kitchen, and what it will contribute to improving the efficiency of your home. This will help you narrow down your options and pick the one that's best for your family and your home. It is also advisable to review reviews to learn what others think of the appliance. This will aid in understanding its strengths and weakness.
Certain brands of hobs come with intelligent technology, making them the top option for those who want to control their cooking with their smartphone. Samsung's models, for instance come with electronic timers that allow you to set precise timeframes and stop overcooking. This is particularly helpful for those with busy lifestyles and can be used by the timer to make sure that meals are ready at the right time without having to keep an watch on them.
Gas hobs are a great option for those looking for an old-fashioned look, since they can be used with a range of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed pans and pans, which may be difficult to place on other types of hob. Gas hobs are often equipped with a variety of settings so that you can adjust the temperature to fit your cooking.
Induction hobs are yet another popular choice for those looking to modernize their kitchen since they have faster heating times and are more efficient than gas models. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are particularly popular because they save space by mixing the oven and hob into one.
A child lock is an additional option to look for. It lets you block controls on a stove and shields children from kitchen accidents. This is particularly important for families with young children since it can help avoid burns and other injuries. In addition some induction hobs come with a function that lets you connect two zones to make a larger cooking area that can be beneficial in the event that you're using large pots.
4. Safety
A good hob will have many safety features. A hot hob indicator will alert you when the surface of the stove is hot. This will help avoid accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs have locks for children to stop children from turning on the stove or altering the settings. Some will have a function that lets you combine two cooking zones into one zone to allow you to cook a wider pan.
This is a great feature for families and can help keep everyone safe in the kitchen. It works by observing the heat of the hob. If it finds that the pan has not been placed correctly or if there's a fire on the hob, it will automatically shut off the burner. This is a great method to ensure your home is safe and is something you should look for when you are shopping for a new stove.
There are many different kinds of hobs you can pick from which include electric, gas and induction. A gas hob uses a flame to heat your pans while an electric hob has electric rings that you can control by pressing one button. There is also the induction hob which uses an electric field to heat your pans and will not turn on until you place a magnetizable pan on top of it. It is a very efficient type of hob and it will cool down quickly after the pan is removed.
This type of hob is a space saver as it eliminates the need for an extractor fan, which means you can have a streamlined kitchen design. It is more expensive than other kinds of hobs, however it's an excellent choice for any family. It can be used to eliminate the excess steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality at the home. This is an excellent choice for families as it is easy to clean and shields against burns. When selecting a kitchen appliance, there are a lot of options to think about. Make sure to study them all before making your decision.