Choosing the Best Hob

Choosing the best hob depends on your cooking preferences as well as the space available. Choosing the right hob also requires a look at the kind of worktop that you have and the location of your extractor hood.

A basic gas-on-glass hob costs less than PS100 when you choose an original brand. They're easier to clean and come with various safety features like an indicator in red that lights when the surface is heated.

1. Flexibility

Whether you're looking to cook up a quick midweek meal or master your pancake making technique, a flexible hob is essential. The best hobs give you precise temperature control, by incorporating features such as dual wok burners as well as an enormous cooking space which makes them perfect 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. Plus, many come with the option to add an integrated extractor fan that eliminates the need for an overhead appliance and freeing space on your worktop.

Gas hobs provide instant heating. They're no wonder they are popular. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning to prevent carbon build-up and fires. Additionally, they often take longer to boil water than models that use induction.

Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the surface of the cooker which makes them cleaner to maintain. They are more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display scratches and fingerprints.

Hybrid hobs blend gas and induction cooking into a single product. You can switch between the two modes based on the food you're cooking. They are great for those who enjoy flexing their culinary skills but don't have the time or space for a major kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is a great example of a product that offers flexibility in style and functionality. The dual flex zones can be combined to fit larger pans or pots. The controls also have the option of a child lock to prevent children changing the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so you can manage its functions using your smartphone.

If you're looking for a top-quality induction hob that connects to your Wi-Fi network at home, look no further than this one from Smeg. It's packed with features to facilitate cooking faster and more easily, including automatic pan detection and PowerBoost and the ability to set a timer as well as a pause function. It's also incredibly simple to use and has touchscreen controls that respond instantly to changes in the recipe and a sleek design that could fit right in in a modern kitchen.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs use as little energy as possible regardless of whether you're cooking soup or bringing water up to boiling point. This means they're an excellent choice for those who are looking to reduce their electric bills. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from getting hot. Induction hobs are a safer option, since they avoid accidental burns. Gas hobs aren't as efficient but they are cheaper to operate than electric models.

The Miele I-Flex induction stove is our top choice. It offers a lot of flexibility thanks to the 'I Flex zone. It allows you to merge two cooking zones together to create a larger area which allows you to use large saucepans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls prevents children from turning the hob or changing settings. This is a great feature for families with small children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish it is easy to clean with just a little wipe.

Another impressive feature of this model is its 'Pan detection' function, which switches off the heating zone when you remove your pan. It's not the only hob to have this feature, but it is an excellent addition to simplify your life for those who cook a lot for an entire family or group of friends.

This is a smart stove that connects to the internet so that you can control it with an app that you can download on your smartphone. It can alert you when food is ready to cook so you do not overcook your food. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water using this model, which is fast for an induction hob. It has flexible zones that you can combine with a Stop & go' button that reduces all cooking zones to their lowest setting.

This portable induction hob has a compact design that's ideal for camping or taking to university. It is the thinnest and lightest hob that we tried, yet it has all of our cooking features and a responsive slider. It also has an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that lets you to control the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down the surface of your hob. This is ideal for making caramel sauces and sauces.

3. Convenience

You'll need to think about how the stove will fit into your kitchen and what it could help improve the efficiency of your home. This will help narrow down the options so that you can pick a model that's ideal for your family and property. It is also advisable to look through reviews to see what others think of the appliance. This will help you better understand its strengths and weakness.

Certain brands of hobs have intelligent technology, making them the top choice for those looking to control their cooking with their smartphone. Samsung's models, for example, have electronic timers which allow you to set precise times and avoid overcooking. This is particularly beneficial for those who lead busy lives, as you can use the timer to make sure that meals are ready on time, without having to keep an watch on them.

Gas hobs are also an excellent option for those who want an older-style feel. They are able to cook with a broad variety of cookware sizes as well as styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed pans and pans, which can be difficult to place on other hobs. Gas hobs are usually equipped with a variety of settings so that you can alter the temperature to fit your cooking.

Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models, and have faster heating times and are an option for those looking to modernise a kitchen. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are particularly popular because they save space by combining the oven and hob into one unit.

Another feature to look out for is a child lock which lets you block the controls on a stove and safeguard children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This is particularly important for families with children, as it will help prevent burns and other injuries. Additionally, many induction hobs have a function that lets you connect two zones to create a larger cooking area This can be helpful in the event that you're using large pots.

4. Safety

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

This is an excellent feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is safe. It works by monitoring the temperature of the cooktop and if it senses that the pan isn't set correctly or there's an occurrence of fire, it will shut off the burner immediately. This is a great way to ensure that your home is safe and is something you should consider when you are shopping for.

There are many different types of hobs you can choose from which include electric, gas and induction. A gas hob uses a flame to heat your pans, while an electric hob comes with electric rings that you can control with the touch of the button. Induction hobs use magnets to heat your pans. They will not work until a pan that is magnetizable is placed on them. This is a very efficient type of hob and it cools quickly when the pan is removed.

This type of hob is a space saver as it eliminates the need for an extractor fan, which means you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It is more expensive than other kinds of hobs, however it's a great choice for any family. It is also able to remove excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which can help improve the air quality inside your home. This is a fantastic 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 every one before making your decision.