5 Laws That Will Help The Best Hob Industry
How to Choose the Best HobWhen selecting the ideal hob there are a lot of aspects to consider. From price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital.
A basic ceramic electric hob costs as little as PS100. However, you will need to pay more for a model that comes with numerous features. Gas hobs are a popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're more expensive.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking just four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a pause function so you can stop the process in a snap without having to fiddle with controls.
Its style is sleek and modern and is a great match for modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and features touch controls that sit flush with the worktop for easy use.
The controls were easy to use and we appreciated the display that displays the current power level and which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil fast. The hob's hot light and auto shut-off are great safety features, too.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs we tested. We found it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It takes longer to respond when you alter the cooking temperature, so you may need to alter settings several times before the pan is ready to cook at the proper temperature.
This 60 cm model features four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. Dual-ring design permits it to operate at both "normal" and "boost" power levels. Boost is ideal for frying and searing meat, or bringing water pans to a rapid boil.
It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with hundreds of recipes that include cooking instructions and 30 different programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation styles. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. Additionally, it will automatically recognize the kind of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third party companies and has a number of safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
If you're working in your kitchen, or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed dramatically over the past few years. Basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth paying more for the most up-to-date technology.
This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology to make cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the location of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.
Smeg's emphasis on energy efficiency doesn't overlook flexibility either The hob is built to reduce power consumption by altering the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking preferences. There are options to save energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode which moderates the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW.
Testers were impressed with the user-friendly interface of this hob 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 layout allows you to easily identify the status of each zone. The 'Flexi Duo" feature lets you connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost to get results that are quick and efficient.
In addition the hob also has a 'FlameSensor' that warns you when there is a risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are a variety of safety features, like a residual heat indicator and an auto switch-off if the surface gets too hot.
It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard staining and cooking marks. The stove is simple to set up and features nine power levels as well as an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are some additional features such as locking controls and an emergency fuse to stop accidental button pressing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They utilize copper plates to generate an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means they can reach a temperature more quickly than gas hobs. hob They can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking zone only heats up when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to operate than gas, and they are also less difficult to clean.
Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features to allow you to get creative in the cooking. It has two separate zones which can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as an instant booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. For instance, the Push&Go allows you to cook with perfection by pressing one button. The controls are simple to operate and let you select nine power options, including the P boost option which gives the highest power to each zone for five minutes.
The controls are simple to operate, and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a snap and was quick to heat up after placing a pan on the Booster zone. However it took an extended time to cool down after we turned off the hob. Our test participants were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.
This Indesit hob also has a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones for larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven from working when it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to clean. Unlike a traditional extractor hood, vented hobs draw steam and smoke out of the pan and out of the room via an air duct that is built into the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, however it took two people to remove the filter.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
When selecting a kitchen appliance take a look at how it fits to your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and life. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off feature and an icy to the touch surface may make an induction hob a better option. Alternatively, for those who prioritize efficiency and speed, an electric hob with a clean ceramic glass facia is a great choice. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas susceptible to power outages.