wedgefrench2

How to Choose the Best Hob There are many factors to take into consideration when selecting the best hob, from cost to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important. A basic ceramic electric hob can cost less than PS100. However you'll need to pay more for a model with many features. Gas hobs are another popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're also more expensive. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this stove from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was among the fastest to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It comes with a child lock and pause function so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls. Its design is sleek and modern, blending in well with modern kitchens. It's typically 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 loved the display that shows the current power level and which zone is currently in use. The “Boost” feature produces high-powered heat in a brief time. It is perfect for stir-frying and quickly boiling pans. The hob's light that is hot and auto shut-off are great security features, too. However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs tested in this test. It took nine presses to reach maximum temperature, in comparison to six or seven for other models. It takes longer to respond when you change the temperature of cooking, which means you may need to alter settings several times before the pan is at the right temperature. The model in 60 cm includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. It comes with a dual-ring design that is able to operate on both normal and boost' power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing pans of water to the rapid boil. It is fully connected through the hOn app and includes 100's of recipes, guided cooking, and 30 different programs that are divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It comes with a user-friendly multislider interface and a 'lockable control panel. In addition, it will automatically recognize the type of pan you're using and set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with third-party hOn sets and comes with a variety of security features, including a lockable control panel and boil-dry protection. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free alternative. Prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. Basic four-zone models are now sold for less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that include induction it's worth the extra cost to get the latest technology. This sleek model from Smeg has the latest induction technology to make cooking more efficient and energy efficient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots with a diameter of at least 9 centimetres and then automatically will activate the appropriate zone. Smeg's main focus is on energy savings but it doesn't forget the flexibility of this appliance – it can be adjusted to save energy based on the highest operating temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW. The user-friendly interface of this cooker was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan along the edge of it. The control panel's color-coded layout allows you to easily identify the status of each zone. The “Flexi duo” feature lets the connection of two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results. The oven also comes with an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a meal that's been burned or an igniting fire. There are also several safety features, such as a residual heat indicator and an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot. It's also hard-wearing with an anti-corrosive CleanProtect coating to help it resist hard marks and stains from cooking. This hob is easy to install and has nine power levels, as well as the handy FlexiDuo feature for catering for large pans. There are a few bonus features, such as locking controls and a safety fuse to protect against accidental button pressing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob They are powered by electricity, not gas, induction hobs make use of copper plates that create a magnetic field when the pan is set on top. This means that they can reach a temperature more quickly than gas hobs. They also save energy as the cooking zone only heats up when you turn on the pan. They're generally cheaper to run than gas and are simpler to clean, which makes them an extremely popular choice. This induction hob by Indesit is packed with features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone for larger pans and a rapid Booster zone that can bring water to boil quickly. A variety of automated functions like Push&Go allow you to achieve perfectly cooked dishes at the touch of one button. There are nine power modes that include a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the hob to track your pans. The controls are easy to operate, and the minimalist design is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up once we placed an oven in the Booster zone. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers were unable to determine the exact temperature on the control panel. In addition to a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which stops the hob from operating when it becomes too hot. Our testers appreciated the fact that there weren't any messy, visible flames and the ceramic glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw steam and smoke from the pan out of the room via a duct on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, however it took two people to take the filter out. 4. GE Induction Hob Consider how the stove can be able to fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as the style of cooking you prefer. For instance, if often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features such as an automatic shut-off or a cool to the touch surface could make an induction hob the best choice. Alternatively, for hob and oven who prioritize efficiency and speed an electric hob that has a clean ceramic glass facia is ideal. For those who live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs in power outages may tip the scales in favour of a gas model.