Choosing the Best Hob
The ideal hob for your needs is determined by the type of worktop you have and the space available. The type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are also important aspects to consider when deciding on the right hob.
A basic gas-on-glass stove costs less than PS100 If you select an original brand. They're less difficult to clean and have a range of safety features, including an indicator in red that lights when the surface is hot.
1. Flexibility
A versatile hob can aid you in reaching your goals, whether that's improving your pancake making technique or making a quick dinner for midweek. The best hobs provide precise heat control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They are ideal for a wide variety of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. Many come with an option to have an extractor fan built-in to eliminate the requirement for separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space on your workspace.
Gas hobs offer you instant heating, so it's no surprise that they are an extremely popular option. But they require regular cleaning to ensure you aren't at risk of carbon build-up on your hob or a fire bursting. Plus, they take longer to heat water than induction models.
Induction hobs heat the pan itself rather than the cooker surface They are, therefore, more easy to clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs, as their glossy surfaces may expose fingerprints and scratches more easily.
Hybrid hobs blend gas and induction cooking into a single product. You can switch between both modes based on what you're cooking. They're ideal for those who like to flex their culinary skills but don't have the space or time to invest in a complete kitchen overhaul.
This electric hob is an excellent model that provides flexibility in design and function. Its dual flex zones can be used to accommodate larger pans or pots. The controls also have a child lock that prevents children from altering the settings. Additionally, it can be connected to a smart hub, so you can control its features from your smartphone.
If you're in search of a top-quality induction hob that connects to the Wi-Fi network in your home, look no further than this model from Smeg. It has many features that make cooking easier and faster, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause function. It's also incredibly simple to use and has touchscreen controls that respond instantly to changes, and a sleek design that would look great in modern kitchens.
2. Energy efficiency
The most efficient hobs use the most energy, whether you are boiling water or simmering soup. This means they're ideal for those who want to cut down on their electric costs. Induction hobs are the most efficient kind employing electromagnetic fields to heat your pan directly so that the glass stays cool. This also makes them the safest option to avoid burns from accidental accidents. Gas hobs may not be as efficient, but they're more affordable than electric ones.
Our top choice, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction stove, offers plenty of flexibility because of its 'I-Flex' zone which lets you merge two cooking zones into a single space, allowing you to cook with large pans and pots. The controls on the touch screen have an infant lock, to ensure that children aren't able to turn off the appliance or alter settings this is a great option for households with young children. Although the ceramic glass has a matte surface, it is easy to keep clean with just a little wipe.
The Hob also has a 'Pan detection function' that automatically turns off power to a particular cooking area when you remove a pan. This isn't the only hob that has this feature, but it's a great feature that makes life easier when you're cooking a lot of meals for a family or a group of friends.
This is a smart stove that is connected to the Internet so you can control it using an app that you can download on your smartphone. It will alert you when food is ready, so you don't overcook. The model we tested boiled a pan of hot water in only four minutes, which is very fast for an Induction hob. It has flexible cooking zones that you can mix and the 'Stop & Go button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting, making it easy to turn off.
This compact induction hob is perfect for camping trips and for trips to the university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob that we tested, but it still comes with all of our cooking functions and a responsive slider. It also comes with a built-in "VaryCook" function that allows you to control the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down on the hob surface. This is great for making caramel sauces and sauces.
3. Convenience
When selecting a new kitchen appliance, you'll need to think about how it fits with your kitchen's design and how it will add to the efficiency of your home. Ovens & Hobs will help you narrow down the options so that you can select a model that's ideal for your family as well as your home. It's important to read reviews to find out what others have thought about the appliance, since this can help you to discern its strengths and weaknesses better.
Some hob brands are renowned for their smart technology, which makes them the top choice for those who want to control cooking with their mobile. Samsung's models, as an example include electronic timers that allow you to set precise times and avoid overcooking. This is especially useful for those who lead busy lives, as the timer lets you ensure that your meals are ready at the time they should be without having to constantly monitor them.
Gas hobs are an ideal choice for those looking for a more traditional feel. They are able to cook with a wide variety of cookware sizes as well as styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pans and pans on gas hobs. Gas hobs are usually equipped with a variety of settings so that you can adjust the temperature to fit your cooking.
Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models and provide faster heat-up times and are a popular choice among those who want to modernize their kitchen. Hobs that have built-in ovens are especially popular since they can reduce space by mixing the oven and hob into one unit.
A child lock is an additional feature to be on the lookout for. It allows you to disable the controls on a stove and shields children from accidents in the kitchen. This is a particularly important feature for parents of young children, as it can aid in avoiding burns and other injuries. In addition some induction hobs come with a function that lets you link two zones together to create a larger cooking space, which can be useful when you're cooking with large pans.
4. Safety
A quality hob has several safety features. A hot hob indicator will alert you when the surface of the hob is hot. This can prevent accidents in the cooking area. Certain hobs feature a child lock to prevent children from turning the hob on or altering the settings. Some hobs have a feature that allows you merge two cooking zones into an even larger area, so you can cook a large pan.
This is a great feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is secure. It operates by monitoring the heat of the hob. If it detects that the pan has not been positioned correctly or if there's a fire on the hob it will shut off the burner. It's a great method to ensure that your home is safe and you should take it into consideration when shopping.
You can pick between gas, electric, and induction hobs. Gas hobs make use of an electric flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs come with electronic rings that can be controlled by pressing the button. Then there's the induction hob, which makes use of an electric field to heat your pans and won't turn on unless you place a magnetizable pan on top of it. This is an efficient type of hob that cools quickly after the pan is removed.
This kind of hob can be a space saver as it removes 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 a great option for any family. It is also able to eliminate excess steam and smoke from the kitchen, which will help improve the air quality in your home. This is an excellent choice for families as it is easy to clean and shields against burns. There are many different options to think about when choosing the right hob, so make sure you take the time to research each one prior to making your decision.