Choosing the Best Hob

Choosing the best hob depends on your cooking preferences and the space you have available. Choosing the right hob also involves considering the kind of worktop that you have and the location of your extractor hood.

A basic gas-on-glass hob costs less than PS100 if you opt for an own-brand model. They are simpler to clean and come with various 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 it's perfecting your pancake technique or making a quick dinner for the midweek. The top hobs have precise temperature control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They are ideal for a wide range of recipes. ovens uk can be utilized in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. Plus, many come with the option to add an integrated extractor fan which eliminates the need for an additional overhead appliance and freeing space on your worktop.

Gas hobs provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're an extremely popular option. But they require regular cleaning to ensure you aren't putting yourself at risk by carbon build-up in your hob or a fire bursting. In addition, they typically take longer to boil water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat pans rather than the surface of the cooker, which makes them easier to clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs, and their glossy surfaces can show up scratches and fingerprints more easily.

Hybrid hobs offer the advantages of gas and induction cooking in one unit which allows you to change between these two modes based on the kind of food you're cooking. They are perfect for those looking to test their culinary skills but aren't looking to upgrade their kitchen.

This electric hob is a great example of a model that offers flexibility in both appearance and function. The two flex zones on the hob can be used to accommodate larger pans or pots. The controls also feature a child lock that prevents children from altering the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so that you can control the features from your smartphone.

If you're looking for a top-quality induction hob that connects to the Wi-Fi network in your home take a look at this one from Smeg. It's loaded with features that make cooking faster and easier with features like automatic pan detection and PowerBoost, as well as a timer and the ability to pause. It's also easy to use thanks to control buttons that respond instantly to changes you make, and sleek, modern design.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs use the least amount of energy regardless of whether you're cooking soup or bringing water up to boil. This makes them an excellent choice for those who want to cut down on their electricity costs. Induction hobs are the most efficient kind employing electromagnetic fields to heat your pan directly to ensure that the glass remains cool. Induction hobs are the safest choice as they protect against accidental burns. While gas hobs aren't as efficient, they can be more affordable to run than electric ones.

The Miele I Flex induction hob is our top choice. It offers a lot of flexibility due to the 'I Flex zone. It allows you to merge two cooking zones together into one big area making it possible to use larger pots and saucepans. The controls on the touch screen have an option for children to lock the controls to ensure that children cannot turn the hob on or change settings this is a great feature for families with small kids. Although the ceramic glass has a matte finish it's easy to keep clean with only a simple 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. It's not the only hob to have this feature, but it is a great addition to make life easier when you cook a lot for a large family or a group of friends.

This is an intelligent stove that connects to the internet so that you can control it via an app on your smartphone. 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 comes with flexible zones that you can mix and a stop & go' button which reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting.

This compact induction hob is perfect for camping trips and for trips to the university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob we tested, but it still has all of our cooking features and an adjustable slider. It also has an integrated "VaryCook" function that lets you to adjust the temperature of your pan by dragging it up and down the surface of the hob. This is perfect for making sauces and caramel.

3. Convenience

When choosing a new hob you'll have to consider how it fits with your kitchen design and what it will add to the functionality of your home. This will help narrow down the options to help you select the best model for your family as well as your home. You should also review reviews to learn what other people's opinions are about the appliance. This can help you understand its strengths and weakness.

Certain brands of hobs are known for their advanced technology, making them the go-to option for those who prefer to control their cooking via their smartphone. Samsung's models, for instance, have electronic timers which allow you to set precise times and prevent overcooking. This is particularly helpful for those with busy lifestyles, as you can use the timer to ensure that meals are ready at the correct time without needing to keep an watch over them.

Gas hobs are also a great choice for those who want a traditional feel, as they can be used with a range of cookware designs and sizes. This includes non-flat-bottomed pans and pans, which may be difficult to accommodate on other hobs. Gas hobs usually come with a variety of settings so that you can alter the temperature to fit your cooking.


Induction hobs, which are more energy-efficient than gas models and provide faster heating times, are also a popular choice among those looking to modernise a kitchen. Hobs that have built-in ovens are particularly popular since they can reduce space by mixing the oven and hob into one unit.

A child lock is a different feature to look out for. It allows you to stop the stove's controls and protects children from accidents in the kitchen. This is particularly important for families with young children since it can help avoid burns and other injuries. Additionally there are many induction hobs that have the ability to connect two zones to make a larger cooking area This can be helpful in the event that you're using large pots.

4. Safety

A quality hob will include 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. Certain hobs may also include a child lock that will keep children from turning the stove on or altering its settings. Some hobs feature a feature that allows you join two cooking zones into an additional zone, meaning you can cook in a larger pan.

This is an excellent feature for families and will keep everyone in the kitchen secure. It works by monitoring the heat of the stove. If it detects that the pan hasn't been positioned correctly or if there's a fire on the hob, it will automatically turn off the burner. This is a fantastic way to keep your home secure and is something you should be looking for when you are shopping for.

There are many different kinds of hobs you can pick from which include electric, gas and induction. Gas hobs use the use of a flame to heat your pans, while an electric hob comes with electric rings that you are able to control with the touch of one button. Induction hobs make use of magnets to heat your pans. They won't work unless a magnetizable pan is placed on them. This is a very efficient type of hob and will cool quickly once the pan is removed.

This kind of hob is able to save space since it doesn't require an extractor fan. This means you can have the kitchen with a sleeker design. It's more expensive than other kinds of hobs, but it's a great choice for any family. It can also be used to get rid of smoke and steam from the kitchen, which can help improve the air quality of your home. This is a great option for families because it protects against burns and is easy to clean. There are many different options available for you to think about when choosing a hob, so be sure to take the time to research each one prior to making a decision.