Choosing the Best Hob

The choice of the right hob is contingent on your preferences for cooking and the space available. The type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are also important aspects to consider when choosing the right hob.

A basic gas-on-glass hob costs less than PS100 when you choose an own-brand model. They are less difficult to clean, and include many safety features, including an indicator that glows red when they are hot.

1. Flexibility

A hob that is flexible will help you to achieve your goals, whether it's improving your pancake making technique or making a quick meal for the midweek. The best hobs offer precise heat control, dual wok burners, and an enormous cooking surface. They are ideal for a variety of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. Many of them have the option to add an extractor fan which eliminates the necessity of separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space on your workspace.

Gas hobs provide instant warmth. They're no wonder they are so popular. They do require periodic cleaning to ensure you aren't at risk of carbon build-up on your hob or a fire bursting. Additionally, they take longer to heat water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the cooking pan itself rather than the surface of the cooker, so they are generally more easy to clean. They are more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display scratches and fingerprints.

Hybrid hobs offer the benefits of both gas and induction cooking in one unit which allows you to switch between modes depending on the type of food you're making. They're great for people who like to flex their culinary skills but don't have the space or time for a full-on kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is a fantastic example of a model which provides flexibility in design and function. The dual flex zones can be combined to fit larger pots or pans. The controls also have an option for children to lock them out of children from changing the settings. Additionally, it can be connected to a smart hub, which allows you to control its features from your smartphone.

Smeg's induction cooktop is a top-quality model that is connected to your Wi-Fi network. It comes with a variety of features that make cooking simpler and quicker, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer, and a pause feature. It's also easy to use with touch controls that respond immediately to changes you make and a sleek modern design.


2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs use the least amount of energy, whether you are boiling water or simmering soup. This means they're a great option for people who want to cut down on their electricity costs. Induction hobs are the most efficient type that make use of electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan to ensure that your glass stays cool. Induction hobs are the most secure option, since they avoid accidental burns. Gas hobs may not be as efficient but they are cheaper to operate than electric models.

Our top pick, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, comes with plenty of flexibility because of its 'IFlex' zone, which allows you to merge two cooking zones into a single area, so you can cook with large pots and pans. The child lock on the touch controls stops children from turning the hob or changing settings. This is an excellent feature for families with children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it is easy to clean with just a wipe.

The hob also comes with a 'Pan detection function' that will shut off power to a particular cooking zone when you take off a pan. This isn't the only hob that has this feature however it's a fantastic feature that makes 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 manage it through an app on your tablet or smartphone. It can alert you when food is ready to cook so you don't overcook. The model we tested boiled a pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is incredibly quick for an Induction stove. It comes with flexible zones that you can combine, and a Stop & go' button which reduces the cooking zones to the lowest setting.

The induction cooker is portable and is compact and ideal for camping or a trip to the university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we've tested, but still has the full range of cooking functions as well as a touch-sensitive slider. It also has an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that lets you to alter the temperature of your pan by dragging it up and down the hob surface. This is ideal to make caramel and sauces.

3. Convenience

You'll need to think about how the stove will fit into your kitchen and what it can help improve the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow down your options and pick the one that's best for your family, you and your home. You should also review reviews to learn what other people's opinions are about the appliance. This will aid in understanding its strengths and weakness.

Certain hob brands are famous for their smart technology, making them the go-to option for those who wish to control their cooking using their mobile. Samsung's models, for example, have electronic timers which allow you to set precise times and avoid overcooking. This is especially useful for those who lead hectic lives, since the timer lets you ensure that your meals are ready when they should be without having to constantly monitor them.

Gas hobs are also an excellent option for those who want an older-style feel. They can be used to cook with a broad range of cookware sizes and styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed pots and pans that can be difficult to accommodate on other hobs. Gas hobs are usually equipped with a range of settings so that you can alter the temperature to fit your recipe.

Induction hobs are a popular option for those who are looking to modernise their kitchen, as they provide quicker heat-up times and are more efficient than gas models. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are particularly popular due to the fact that they can save space by combining the oven and hob into one.

Another feature to look for is a child lock which allows you to block the controls of a hob and protect children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This is particularly important for families with children since it can help avoid burns and other injuries. Additionally, many induction hobs have a function that lets you link two zones together to create a larger cooking area This can be helpful when you're cooking with large pans.

4. Safety

A high-quality hob will come with many safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the stove is hot. This will help avoid accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs will also have a child lock that can prevent children from turning the hob on or altering the settings. Some may have a feature that allows you to combine two cooking zones into one zone so that you can cook in a larger pan.

This is a fantastic feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is safe. It operates by monitoring the temperature of the cooktop and if it determines that the pan isn't placed correctly or there's a fire it will shut down the burner immediately. It's a great way to ensure your home is secure, and it's something you should think about when shopping.

You can select between electric, gas, and induction hobs. Gas hobs utilize the use of a flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs feature electronic rings that you can control by pressing a button. Induction hobs utilize a magnetic field for heating your pans. They won't work until a pan that is magnetizable is placed on them. This is a reliable type of hob that cools quickly after the pan has been removed.

This kind of hob can save space because it does not require an extractor fan. It is therefore possible to have a an easier kitchen design. It can be more expensive than other hobs but it's a great option for any household. It can be used to get rid of the excess steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality at home. This is an excellent choice for families as it is easy to clean and protects against burns. When selecting a kitchen appliance, there are a lot of options to consider. Make sure to study them all before making your decision.