Choosing ovens and hobs for you is determined by the type of worktop you are using and the space available. Choosing the right hob also involves considering the kind of worktop that you have and the location of your extractor hood.
If you opt for a brand-name model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They're easier to clean and have various safety features like an indicator in red that lights when the surface is hot.
1. Flexibility
If you're looking for a way to cook your own quick midweek meal or perfect your pancake technique, a flexible hob is key. The best hobs provide precise temperature control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They're ideal for a wide range of recipes. They can also be used in a range of kitchens thanks to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. A lot of them come with the option to have an extractor fan, eliminating the requirement for separate overhead appliances and freeing space for your work area.
Gas hobs can provide instant warmth. It's no wonder that they are so popular. But they require regular cleaning to ensure that 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 pans rather than the surface of the cooker, making them easier to clean. They can be more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display fingerprints and scratches.
Hybrid hobs combine both gas and induction cooking into a single product. You can switch between the two modes depending on what you're cooking. They're ideal for those who enjoy flexing their culinary skills, but don't have the time or space to invest in a complete kitchen overhaul.
This electric hob is an excellent example of a product that is flexible in design and function. The dual flex zone can be combined to accommodate larger pots and pans, while its controls have the feature of a child lock that prevents children from changing the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub which allows you to manage its functions using your smartphone.
Smeg's induction stove is a top-quality model that is connected to your home WiFI network. It comes with a variety 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 thanks to touch controls that respond immediately to changes you make and a sleek, modern design.
2. Energy efficiency
The best hobs consume as little energy as possible when you're simmering soup or bringing water to a boil. They're also an excellent choice for those who wish to lower their electricity costs. Induction hobs make use of electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from becoming hot. Induction hobs are the most secure choice, as they prevent accidental burns. Gas hobs may not be as efficient, but they are less expensive than electric models.
Our top choice is the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, has plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'I-Flex' zone that allows you to merge two cooking zones into one area, so you can cook with large pans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls prevents children from turning the hob or changing settings. This is an excellent feature for families with small children. Although the ceramic glass has a matte finish it is easy to clean using just a wipe.
Another impressive feature of this model is its "Pan detection" function, which automatically turns 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 an excellent feature to simplify your life if you cook for a large family or a group of friends.
This is a smart kitchen appliance, which connects to the internet to allow you to manage it through an app on your smartphone or tablet. It will even notify you when food is ready so that you do not overcook it. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is very quick for an Induction stove. It has cooking zones that are flexible which you can combine and a "Stop & Go' button that reduces all the cooking zones to the lowest setting, making it easy to turn off.
This compact induction hob is ideal for camping and also for taking to university. It is the thinnest and lightest hob that we tested, but it still comes with all of our cooking functions and an adjustable slider. It also has a built-in 'VaryCook' function which lets you vary the temperature by moving the pan up and down the surface of the hob. This is ideal to make caramel or sauces.
3. Convenience
When choosing a new hob you'll need to think about how it will fit into the design of your kitchen and what it will do to enhance the utility of your home. This will help you narrow down the options so that you can select one that is suitable for your family as well as your home. It's important to read reviews and find out what others have to say about the appliance, as this can help you to identify its strengths and weaknesses better.
Certain hob brands are famous for their smart technology, making them the ideal choice for those who wish to control their cooking using their mobile. Samsung's models, for instance, have electronic timers which allow you to set precise timeframes and prevent overcooking. This is especially helpful for those with busy lifestyles because you can use the timer to ensure that meals are prepared at the correct time without having to keep a close watch on them.
Gas hobs are also a great option for those who prefer traditional style, since they can be used with a range of cookware designs and sizes. This includes non-flat-bottomed cookware and pans, which 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 the recipe you are cooking.
Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models and provide faster heat-up times, are also popular among those who are looking to modernize a kitchen. Hobs that have built-in ovens are especially popular because they save space by combining the oven and hob into one unit.
A child lock is a different option to look for. It allows you to stop the stove's controls and shields children from accidents in the kitchen. This feature is especially important for families with young children, as it will help prevent burns and other injuries. In addition, many induction hobs have the ability to link two zones together to make a larger cooking area This can be helpful in the event that you're using large pots.
4. Safety
A good hob has several safety features. They will have an indicator for hot hobs that will warn you when the surface is heated and will prevent accidents in the kitchen. Some hobs have an option for locking the hob to prevent children from turning the hob on or altering the settings. Certain hobs come with an option to join two cooking zones into a larger zone, so you can cook a wide pan.
This is an excellent feature for families with children and it will help ensure everyone's safety in the kitchen. It works by monitoring the temperature of the stove and if it detects that the pan isn't placed correctly or there is an incident of fire, it will shut off the burner automatically. This is a great way to keep your home safe and is something you should look for when you shop for.
You can select between electric, gas and induction hobs. Gas hobs make use of an electric flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs come with electric rings you can control by pressing a button. oven hob use an electric field to heat your pans. They won't function until a pan that is magnetizable is placed on them. This is a highly efficient kind of hob that cools quickly after the pan has been removed.
This type of hob saves space because it does not require an extractor fan. It is therefore possible to have a a more streamlined kitchen design. It is more expensive than other kinds of hobs but it's an excellent choice for any family. It is also able to get rid of excess steam and smoke from the kitchen, which can aid in improving the air quality in your home. This is a fantastic option for families since it can protect against burns and is easy to clean. There are many different options to consider when choosing a hob, so be sure to take the time to research every one before making your decision.