3 Reasons Commonly Cited For Why Your Best Hob Isn't Working (And How To Fix It)
3 Reasons Commonly Cited For Why Your Best Hob Isn't Working (And How To Fix It)
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How to Choose the Best Hob
There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are important is essential.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model with numerous features. Gas hobs are another popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this hob from Haier can help you make quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to faff around with controls.
Its design is modern and sleek it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It is typically made from glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and sit directly on the worktop.
The controls are intuitive to operate and we loved the clear display that tells you the current power settings, and which of the five zones are in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a brief period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shut-off are also useful.
It's not as responsive as other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses on the control to attain the highest temperature compared with seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. You may have to adjust the settings a few times to achieve the correct temperature.
This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone which allows two areas to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. The Boost is ideal for cooking meat while searing it or bringing water to a rapid boiling.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with cooking instructions and 30 different programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface, as well as a lockable' control panel, plus it is able to automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set up the right cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn pan sets and has a range of safety features, such as the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you're renovating your kitchen or are looking for a non-gas option. Prices have slashed dramatically over the past few years. Basic four-zone models are now available for less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth paying more for the latest innovations.
This sleek-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have a diameter of at least 9cm and then automatically activates the zone that is appropriate.
Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest operating temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy, reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.
Testers were awed by the hob's user-friendly design with easy-to-use controls that slide along the edge of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's color-coded design allows you to easily identify the state of each zone. The "Flexi Duo" function lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, including four automatic cooking settings: melting, boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.
The hob also comes with a FlameSensor which will alert you if there's a danger of a meal that's been burned or a fire. There are other safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an auto shut-off feature if the surface is too hot.
It also resists hard stains and comes with a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob is easy to install and has nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering to large pans. There are a host of extra features, including control locks and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They utilize copper plates to create an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means that they can reach temperatures more quickly than gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking zone only heats up when you turn on a pan. They are generally cheaper to operate than gas, and they are also easier to clean.
Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features to allow you to develop your cooking ideas. It has two cooking zones that can be combined to create a Dual Zone for larger pots and an accelerated Booster zone to bring water to the boiling point quickly. For instance, the Push&Go lets you cook flawlessly with the click of a button. The controls are simple to operate and allow you to choose nine power modes, including the P boost option that provides maximum power in each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to operate and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the click here Booster Zone and pasta water that was boiling. It took a while for it to cool down after we turned off the hob, and the testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.
As well as having a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It comes with a child lock and an overheating block as well as an automatic switch-off system which prevents the hob from working when it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and there are no flames visible. Our testers liked that. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room by a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob was easy to clean, but it required two people in order to take the filter out.
4. Induction Hob from GE
Consider how the stove will fit into your kitchen's layout and design, as well as what your cooking style. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features like an automatic shut-off feature and an icy to the touch surface can make an induction hob the best option. For those who prioritize efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a wipe-clean ceramic glass fascia is the best choice. Gas hobs are a great alternative for those living in areas susceptible to power outages.