Choosing the Best Hob

The choice of the right hob is contingent on your cooking preferences as well as the space you have available. Choosing the right hob also is dependent on the type of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.

If you select an own-brand model, an ordinary gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are simpler to clean and come with a variety of safety features, including an indicator that glows red when they are hot.

1. Flexibility

A hob that is flexible will aid you in reaching your goals, whether that's perfecting your pancake recipe or cooking a quick meal for the midweek. The top hobs offer precise control of heat, and come with 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 due to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Many of them have the option to have an extractor fan which eliminates the necessity of separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space on your workspace.

Gas hobs provide instant heating, so it's no surprise that they're a popular option. But they require regular cleaning to ensure you aren't at risk of carbon build-up in your hob or a fire bursting out. Additionally, they often take longer to boil water than models that use induction.

Induction hobs heat the cooking pan itself rather than the cooker surface They are, therefore, easier to keep clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs, and their glossy surfaces may expose fingerprints and scratches more easily.

Hybrid hobs combine the advantages of gas and induction cooking in one appliance that lets you switch between the two depending on the type of food you're making. They are great for those who enjoy flexing their culinary skills but don't have the time or space for a full-on kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is an excellent example of a model that can be flexed in appearance and function. The dual flex zones can be used to accommodate larger pots or pans. The controls also feature an option for children to lock them out of children from changing the settings. Additionally, it can be connected to a smart hub so you can control its features from your smartphone.

Smeg's induction cooktop is a high-end model that can be connected to your home Wi-Fi network. It comes with a variety of features that make cooking easier and faster, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It's also incredibly simple to use with touch controls that react immediately to your changes and an elegant design that will fit right in in the modern kitchen.

2. Energy efficiency

The most efficient hobs are those that use the minimal amount of energy whether you are boiling water or simmering soup. This means they're a great option for people who want to cut their energy bills. Induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan, preventing the glass from becoming hot. This makes them the most secure choice to avoid burns from accidental accidents. While gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be less expensive to run than electric ones.

Our top pick is the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction stove, offers plenty of flexibility because of its 'IFlex' zone, which allows you to combine two cooking zones into one space, allowing you to cook with big pans and pots. The controls on the touch screen have a child lock so that children can't turn the hob on or alter settings this is a great option for households with young kids. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it is easy to keep clean with just a wipe.


The Hob also has the 'Pan detection function' that automatically turns off the power to a specific cooking zone when you take off a pan. It's not the only hob with this feature, but it's an excellent addition to make your life easier when you cook for a large family or a group of friends.

This is a smart hob that connects to internet so that you can control it via an app on your smartphone or tablet. It can also notify you when food is ready so that you do not overcook it. It took just four minutes to boil our test pan of water with this model, which is fast for an induction cooktop. It has flexible zones that you can combine with a Stop & go' button which reduces the cooking zones to their lowest setting.

This portable induction hob has a slim design that's ideal for camping or a trip to the university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we tested yet it has a full set of cooking functions and a touch-sensitive slider. It also comes with a built-in "VaryCook" function that lets you to control the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down on the surface of your hob. This is ideal to make caramel and sauces.

3. Convenience

You should think about how the hob can fit into your kitchen and what it can do to improve the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow your choices and choose the one that is best for your family, and your property. hobs and ovens should also look through reviews to see what others think of the appliance. This can help you better understand its strengths and weakness.

Certain brands of hobs are known for their innovative technology, making them the top choice for those who wish to control their cooking using their smartphones. For example, Samsung's models feature electronic timers that let you to determine precise cooking times and stop overcooking. This is particularly useful for people who have busy lives, as the timer will ensure that your meals are cooked when they should be without having to monitor them constantly.

Gas hobs are also an excellent option for those who want a more traditional feel. They can be used to cook using a wide range of cookware sizes and styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pots and saucepans on gas hobs. In addition, gas hobs usually offer a range of settings, which means you can adjust the heat to suit your recipe or pan type.

Induction hobs are another popular option for those looking to modernize their kitchen because they offer faster heat-up times and are more efficient than gas models. This is especially the case for induction hobs with a built-in oven, as they can help you save space in your kitchen by offering an oven and a hob in one unit.

A child lock is an additional option to look for. It allows you to disable the controls on a stove and protects children from kitchen accidents. This is particularly important for families with children as it can prevent burns and other injuries. Additionally there are many induction hobs that have an option to link two zones together to create a larger cooking space, which can be useful if you're using large pans.

4. Safety

A high-quality hob comes with many safety features. They will have a hot hob indicator that will warn you when the surface is hot and stop kitchen accidents. Some hobs also come with an option for a child lock to stop children from turning the stove on or altering settings. Some models will come with a function that lets you combine two cooking zones into a single zone so that you can cook a larger size pan.

This is a fantastic feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is safe. It works by monitoring the heat of the stove. If it detects that the pan hasn't been placed correctly, or if there is an fire on the hob it will stop the burner. It's a great method to ensure that your home is secure, and you should take it into consideration when you are shopping.

You can choose between electric, gas and induction hobs. Gas hobs use a flame to heat your pans while an electric hob comes with electric rings that you can control with the touch of the button. Then there is the induction hob, which makes use of an electric field to heat your pans. It won't turn on unless you put a magnetizable metal pan on top of it. This is a highly efficient kind of hob that cools quickly after the pan is removed.

This type of hob is a space saver as it eliminates the need for an extractor fan. This means that you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It's 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 enhance the air quality at home. This is an excellent option for families since it can protect against burns and is very easy to clean. There are many different options available for you to consider when choosing the right hob, so make sure you take the time to research each one before making your choice.