Choosing the Best Hob

Choosing the best hob depends on your cooking preferences as well as available space. The selection of the best hob is dependent on the type of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.

A basic gas-on-glass stove costs less than PS100 when you choose an own-brand model. They are simpler to clean, and include a variety of safety features like an indicator that glows red when they are hot.

1. Flexibility

If you're looking to whip up a quick midweek meal or perfect your pancake recipe, a movable hob is essential. The best hobs offer precise heat control, two wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They're ideal for a wide variety of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. Additionally, many have the option of adding a built-in extractor fan that eliminates the need for a separate overhead appliance, and freeing up space on your worktop.

Gas hobs provide instant heating, so it's no surprise that they are a popular option. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning in order to avoid carbon buildup or fires. In addition, they typically take longer to boil water than models that use induction.

Induction hobs are able to heat pans more than the surface of the cooker, making them easier to clean. They are more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show fingerprints and scratches.

Hybrid hobs blend gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between the two modes depending on what you're cooking. They're great for people who enjoy flexing their culinary abilities but don't have the space or time for a full-on kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is a fantastic model that allows for flexibility in style and performance. Its dual flex zones can be combined to fit larger pans or pots. best hobs uk feature a child lock that prevents children from changing the settings. It's also designed to connect to a smart hub, so you can control the features using your smartphone.

Smeg's induction hob is a high-end model that can be connected to your WiFI network. It has many features that make cooking simpler and faster, such as automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It's also simple to use with control buttons that respond instantly to any changes you make and an elegant modern design.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs consume as little energy as possible regardless of whether you're cooking soup or bringing water to the boiling point. This makes them a great option for people who want to cut their energy costs. Induction hobs are the most efficient kind employing electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan so that the glass stays cool. Induction hobs are a safer choice as they protect against accidental burns. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be less expensive to run than electric ones.

Our top choice, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, comes with plenty of flexibility because of its 'I-Flex' zone which lets you merge two cooking zones into one large area so you can cook with large pots and pans. Its touch controls come with an infant lock, to ensure that children cannot turn off the appliance or alter the settings it is a useful feature for families with small children. The ceramic glass is smooth, but it can be cleaned by wiping it clean.

The Hob also has an "Pan detection function" that shuts off the power to a specific cooking zone when you take off the pan. This isn't the only hob with this feature however it's an excellent addition that makes your life easier when cooking many meals for your family or group of friends.

This is a smart hob, which connects to the internet to allow you to control it using an app on your smartphone or tablet. It will even notify you when food is ready so that you do not overcook it. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water on this model, which is a lot for an induction hob. It comes with flexible cooking zones that can be combined and a 'Stop & Go button that reduces all the cooking zones to the lowest setting, so it's simple to turn off.

This portable induction hob has a compact design that's ideal for camping or taking to uni. It's the tiniest and lightest hob in our tests, but still has an extensive set of cooking options and a touch-sensitive slider. It also comes with a built-in "VaryCook" function that allows you to control the temperature of your pan by dragging it up and down on the surface of the hob. This is perfect for making caramel sauces and sauces.

3. Convenience

You'll want to consider how the stove will fit in your kitchen and what it could contribute to improving the efficiency of your home. This will help you narrow down your options and select the model that's ideal for your family and your home. It's important to read reviews to see what other people have to say about the appliance, as this can help you to discern its strengths and weaknesses better.

Certain brands of hobs have intelligent technology, making them the ideal choice for those looking to control their cooking using their smartphones. Samsung's models, for instance include electronic timers that allow you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is especially beneficial for those who lead busy lives, as the timer lets you ensure that your meals are cooked when they should be without needing to keep an eye on them.


Gas hobs are also a great option for those looking for traditional style, since they can be used with a range of cookware styles and sizes. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed cookware and pans on gas hobs. Additionally, gas hobs typically offer a range of settings, which means you can alter the heat to suit your pan's style or recipe.

Induction hobs, which are more energy-efficient than gas models and offer faster heating times and are popular among those who want to modernize their kitchen. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are particularly popular since they can reduce space by combining the oven and hob into one.

Another feature to look for is a child lock that allows you to shut off the controls on a hob and protect children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This is a crucial feature for those with young children, as it can help to avoid burns and other injuries. A lot of induction hobs come with a feature that allows you to connect two zones, creating more cooking space. This is useful when you cook with large pans.

4. Safety

A high-quality hob comes with a number safety features. These will include an indicator for hot hobs that will warn you when the surface is heated and can prevent accidents in the kitchen. Some hobs come with locks for children to stop children from turning on the stove or altering the settings. Some hobs have the ability to merge two cooking zones to create a larger zone, so you can cook a wide pan.

This is a fantastic feature for families with children and it will ensure that everyone is safe in the kitchen. It works by monitoring the temperature of the hob and if it senses that the pan isn't positioned properly or there's an incident of fire it will shut down the burner automatically. This is a great way to ensure that your home is safe and is something you should be looking for when you shop for a new stove.

There are a variety of different kinds of hobs you can pick 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 has electronic rings that you can control with the touch of a button. Then there's the induction hob that uses magnets to heat your pans. It will not start unless you put a magnetizable metal pan on it. It is a very efficient hob, and it will cool down quickly when the pan has been removed.

This kind of hob is an efficient space-saver since it does not require an extractor fan, which means you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It's more expensive than other types of hobs but it's an excellent choice for any family. It is also able to eliminate excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which can aid in improving the air quality in your home. This is a great option for families, as it is easy to clean and shields against burns. There are many different options available for you to consider when selecting the right hob, so make sure you take the time to study every one before making a decision.