Choosing the Best Hob

The best hob to choose depends on your cooking preferences as well as available space. Choosing the right hob also is dependent on the kind of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.

A basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100 when you choose an original brand. They are easier to clean and come with a range of safety features, including the red indicator that illuminates when the surface is heated.

1. Flexibility

A flexible hob will aid you in reaching your goals, whether it's perfecting your pancake technique or making a quick meal for the midweek. The top hobs have precise temperature control, dual wok burners, and a huge cooking surface. They are ideal for a variety of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. A lot of them come with the option to add an extractor fan built-in to eliminate the requirement for separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space for your workspace.

Gas hobs can provide instant heating. It's no wonder they are popular. But they require regular cleaning to ensure you aren't putting yourself at risk by carbon build-up on your hob or a fire breaking out. Plus, they can often take longer to boil water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the pan itself instead of the cooktop surface They are, therefore, easier to keep clean. However, they can be more expensive than gas hobs, as their glossy surfaces may show up scratches and fingerprints more easily.

Hybrid hobs combine the benefits of both gas and induction cooking into one unit which allows you to switch between the two depending on the kind of food you're cooking. They're great for people who want to expand their culinary abilities but don't have the time or space for a major kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is a fantastic example of a product that allows for flexibility in style and function. The two flex zones on the hob can be used to accommodate larger pots or pans. The controls also come with a child lock that prevents children from altering the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub, so you can manage the features via your smartphone.

If you're looking for a high-spec induction hob that connects to your Wi-Fi network at home take a look at this model from Smeg. It's packed with features that facilitate cooking faster and more easily, including automatic pan detection and PowerBoost as well as an alarm clock and the ability to pause. 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 best hobs consume the least amount of energy when you're cooking soup or bringing water to a boiling point. This means they're an excellent choice for those who want to cut their electricity costs. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to heat the pan directly which prevents the glass from heating up. Induction hobs are the most secure choice as they protect against accidental burns. While gas hobs aren't as efficient, they can be cheaper to run than electric models.

The Miele I-Flex induction stove is our top pick. It offers a great deal of flexibility thanks to the "I Flex' zone, which allows you to combine two cooking zones to create a larger area which allows you to use large pots and saucepans. The child lock on the touch controls stops children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is a great feature for families with young children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it's easy to clean with just a wipe.

Another amazing feature of this model is its 'Pan detection' function, which automatically turns off the power to a cooking zone after you have removed your pan. It's not the only hob with this feature, but it's a great addition to make your life easier if you cook a lot for a large family or group of friends.

This is a smart stove that connects to the internet so that you can control it via an app on your phone. It will notify you when food is ready, so you don't overcook it. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is very rapid for an induction hob. It has flexible zones that you can combine and a stop & go' button which reduces the cooking zones to the lowest setting.

This small induction hob is perfect for camping trips and also for taking to university. It's the lightest and thinnest hob in our tests however it still comes with an extensive set of cooking functions as well as a touch-sensitive slider. It also has 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 ideal for making sauces and caramel.

3. Convenience

You should think about how the stove will fit into your kitchen and what it could help improve the efficiency of your home. This will help you narrow your options and pick the one that's ideal for your family, and your property. It is also advisable to read reviews to find out what other people's opinions are about the appliance. This can help you understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Certain brands of hobs have smart technology that makes them the top option for those who want to control their cooking with their smartphone. Samsung's models, for instance include electronic timers that allow you to set precise timeframes and prevent overcooking. This is particularly helpful for people who have a busy schedule, as you can use the timer to ensure that meals are ready on time, without having to keep an watch on them.

Gas hobs are a good option for those seeking an older-style feel. They are able to cook with a broad variety of cookware sizes as well as styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pots and saucepans on gas stoves. Plus, gas hobs often have a variety of settings, so you can adjust the heat to suit your pan's style or recipe.

Induction hobs are a popular option for those who want to modernize their kitchen because they offer faster heat-up times and are more efficient in energy use than gas models. This is especially true with induction hobs that come with a built-in oven, as they can reduce space in your kitchen by offering an oven and hob in one unit.

Another feature to look for is a child lock that allows you to shut off the controls on a stove and protect children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This is a crucial feature for parents of young children, as it could help to avoid burns and other injuries. Many induction hobs also include a feature that permits the linking of two zones together, resulting in a larger cooking surface. This is useful when you cook with large pans.

4. Safety

A good hob will have a number of safety features. These include a hot hob indicator that warns you when the surface is extremely hot and stop kitchen accidents. Certain hobs may also include a child lock that can prevent children from turning the stove on or altering settings. Some hobs feature an option to join two cooking zones into an additional zone, meaning you can cook a large pan.

This is an excellent feature for families with children and it can help keep everyone safe in the kitchen. It operates by monitoring the temperature of the hob and if it determines that the pan isn't set correctly or there's an occurrence of fire it will shut down the burner instantly. This is a fantastic way to keep your home secure and is something you should be looking for when you are shopping for.

You can pick between gas, electric, and induction hobs. Gas hobs use the use of a flame to heat your pans, while an electric hob has electric rings that you can control by pressing the button. Then there is the induction hob that uses an electric field to heat your pans and will not start unless you place a magnetizable pan on top of it. This is a reliable type of hob that cools quickly after the pan is removed.

This type of hob saves space because it does not require an extractor fan. You can therefore have a more streamlined kitchen design. It can be more expensive than oven with hob other types of hobs but it's a great option for any household. It is also able to remove excess steam and smoke from the kitchen, which will help improve the air quality in your home. This is an excellent choice for families as it is easy to clean and shields against burns. When choosing a hob there are a lot of options to consider. It is important to research them all before making a decision.