Choosing the Best Hob

The ideal hob for you depends on the type of worktop and the space available. The type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are also important considerations when choosing the right hob.

A basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100 when you choose an own-brand model. They're less difficult to clean and come with a range of safety features, including an indicator in red that lights when the surface is hot.

1. Flexibility

A flexible hob will aid you in reaching your goals, whether that's improving your pancake making technique or making a quick dinner for a midweek meal. The best hobs offer precise heat control, dual wok burners, and an enormous cooking surface. They're ideal for a wide variety of recipes. They can also be used in a range of kitchens thanks to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Many come with an option to add an extractor fan, eliminating the need for separate overhead appliances and freeing space for your work area.

Gas hobs provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they are the most popular option. Gas hobs require regular cleaning to avoid carbon buildup and fires. They also take longer to heat water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the cooker surface They are, therefore, easier to keep clean. They are more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display scratches and fingerprints.

Hybrid hobs bring the benefits of gas and induction cooking in one unit that lets you change between these two modes based on the type of food you're making. These are great for those looking to test their culinary skills, but don't want to upgrade their kitchen.

This electric hob is an excellent model that is flexible in appearance and function. Its dual flex zones can be combined to fit larger pots or pans. The controls also have 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 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 got a lot of features that make cooking more efficient and faster, such as automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It is also very easy to use with control buttons that respond instantly to changes you make, and an elegant, modern design.

2. Energy efficiency

The most efficient hobs consume as little energy as possible regardless of whether you're simmering soup or bringing water to a boiling point. This makes them an excellent choice for those who want to cut down on their electric costs. Induction hobs make use of electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan which prevents the glass from becoming hot. This makes them the most secure choice and prevents accidental burns. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be cheaper to run than electric ones.

Our top pick, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, has plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'I-Flex' zone that lets you 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 hob or altering settings. This is an excellent feature for families with children. And although hob and oven has a matte surface, it's easy to keep clean with just a wipe.

Another great aspect of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which automatically switches off the power to a cooking zone after you have removed your pan. This isn't the only hob with this feature, but it's a great feature that makes life easier when cooking lots of meals for your family or a group of friends.

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

This compact induction cooker is ideal for camping trips and also for taking to university. It's the lightest and thinnest hob we've tested however it still comes with a full set of cooking functions as well as a responsive touch slider. It also has an integrated 'VaryCook' feature, which allows you to vary the temperature by moving the pan upwards and downwards on the hob's surface, which is ideal for making sauces or caramel.


3. Convenience

When choosing a new hob you should think about the way it's incorporated into the design of your kitchen and what it will add to the functionality of your home. This will help narrow down the options so that you can select a model that's ideal for your family as well as your home. You should also review reviews to learn what other people think about the appliance. This will help you better understand its strengths and weakness.

Certain brands of hobs are known for their smart technology, making them the ideal choice for those who prefer to control their cooking using their smartphone. For instance, Samsung's models feature electronic timers that let you to set precise cooking times and avoid overcooking. This is particularly helpful for those who lead busy lives and can be used by the timer to make sure that meals are ready on time, without having to keep an watch on them.

Gas hobs can also be an excellent choice for those looking for 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 cookware and saucepans on gas stoves. Gas hobs are often equipped with a range of settings, so that you can adjust the temperature to fit the recipe you are cooking.

Induction hobs are yet another popular choice for those looking to modernise their kitchen since they have faster heating times and are more energy efficient than gas models. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are very popular since they can reduce space by mixing the oven and hob into one.

Another feature to look for is a child lock, which lets you block the controls on a stove and safeguard children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This is a crucial feature for families with young children, since 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 together, resulting in a larger cooking surface. This is helpful when you cook with large pans.

4. Safety

A good hob will have several safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the hob is heated. This can help prevent accidents in the cooking area. Certain hobs may also include a child lock that can keep children from turning the stove on or altering its settings. Some models will come with a function that lets you combine two cooking zones into a single zone to allow you to cook a larger size pan.

This is a fantastic feature for families and will keep everyone in the kitchen secure. It works by monitoring the temperature of the cooktop and if it senses that the pan isn't set properly or there's an occurrence of fire, it will shut off the burner automatically. This is a great way to ensure your home is secure and is something you should consider when shopping around.

There are a variety of different kinds of hobs you can choose from which include electric, gas and induction. Gas hobs use an electric flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs feature electric rings you can control by pressing the button. Induction hobs make use of an electric field to heat your pans. They won't work without a magnetizable pan placed on them. This is an efficient type of hob that cools quickly after the pan has been removed.

This kind of hob can be an efficient space-saver since it removes the need for an extractor fan. This means that you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It is more expensive than other types of hobs, but it's a great choice for any family. It can be used to eliminate excess smoke and steam from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality in your home. This is a great option for families because it will protect you from burns and is very easy to clean. There are many options to think about when choosing a hob, so be sure to take the time to study each one prior to making your decision.