Choosing the Best Hob

The best hob to choose depends on your cooking preferences as well as the space available. Choosing the right hob also involves considering the kind of worktop you have and the location of your extractor hood.

If you select an own-brand model, an ordinary gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They're easier to clean and offer various safety features, including the red indicator that illuminates when the surface is hot.

1. Flexibility

A hob that is flexible will help you to achieve your goals, whether it's improving your pancake making technique or making a quick meal for the midweek. The top hobs have precise heat control, dual wok burners, and an enormous cooking surface. They are perfect for a wide range of recipes. These hobs can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. Plus, many come with the option of a built-in extractor fan that eliminates the need for a separate overhead appliance and freeing up space on your worktop.

Gas hobs are able to provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're the most popular choice. But they require regular cleaning to ensure you aren't putting yourself at risk by carbon build-up on your hob or a fire bursting out. Additionally, they often take longer to boil water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the pans rather than the surface of the cooker, making them less difficult to clean. They can be more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display fingerprints and scratches.

Hybrid hobs bring the advantages of gas and induction cooking into one product which allows you to switch between modes depending on the type of food you're making. They're great for people who enjoy flexing their culinary skills, but don't have the time or space for a full-on kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is a great example of a product that provides flexibility in design and function. Its dual flex zones can be used to accommodate larger pans or pots. The controls also have an option for children to lock them out of children from altering the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub which allows you to manage its functions using your smartphone.

If you're looking for a high-spec induction hob that connects to your Wi-Fi network at home, look no further than this one from Smeg. It comes with a variety of features that make cooking simpler and quicker, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer, and a pause feature. It's also easy to use thanks to touchscreen controls that react immediately to changes you make and an elegant modern design.

2. Energy efficiency

The most efficient hobs consume as little energy as possible regardless of whether you're cooking soup or bringing water up to boil. They're also a great option for those who wish to lower their electricity costs. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from heating up. This ensures they are safe, preventing accidental burns. While gas hobs aren't as efficient, they can be more affordable to run than electric models.

Our top choice, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, has plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'I-Flex' zone which lets you merge two cooking zones into a single area so you can cook with large pots and pans. The child lock on the touch controls stops children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is a great feature for families with children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it's easy to clean with just a little wipe.

Another great feature of this hob is its "Pan detection" function, which switches off the heating zone when you remove your pan. This isn't the only hob to have this functionality however it's an excellent feature that makes life easier when you cook a lot of meals for your family or a group of friends.

This is a smart hob, which connects to the internet to allow you to control it via an app on your tablet or smartphone. It will even notify you when food is ready, so you do not overcook it. It took just four minutes to boil our test pan of water using this model, which is fast for an induction stove. It comes with flexible cooking zones that can be combined and an 'Stop & Go' button that reduces all the cooking zones to the lowest setting making it easy to switch off.

This portable induction hob is compact and ideal for camping trips or taking to university. It is the thinnest and lightest hob that we tried, yet it comes with all of our cooking functions and a responsive slider. It also comes with an integrated "VaryCook" function that allows you to alter the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down on the surface of your hob. This is great to make caramel and sauces.

3. Convenience

When choosing a new hob you'll have to consider how it will fit into your kitchen's design and how it will add to the efficiency of your home. This will help you narrow your options and pick the one that's best for you, your family and your home. You should also look through reviews to see what other people's opinions are about the appliance. This will aid in understanding its strengths and weaknesses.

Certain brands of hobs come with advanced technology that makes them the top option for those who want to control their cooking through their smartphones. Samsung's models, for instance include electronic timers that allow you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is particularly useful for those who lead hectic lives, since the timer allows you to ensure that your meals are cooked when they should be, without needing to keep an eye on them.

Gas hobs are also an ideal option for those seeking an older-style feel. They can be used to cook using a wide variety of cookware sizes as well as styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed cookware and pans that can be difficult to fit on other types of hob. Gas hobs usually come with a range of settings so that you can adjust the temperature to fit the recipe you are cooking.

Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models, and have quicker heat-up times and are popular among those who are looking to modernize a kitchen. This is especially true with induction hobs that have a built-in oven, as they can reduce space in your kitchen by allowing you to have an oven and a hob in one unit.

A child lock is another option to look for. It lets you stop the stove's controls and shields children from accidents in the kitchen. This feature is crucial for families with young children, as it will help prevent burns and other injuries. Many induction hobs also have a feature that allows the linking of two zones, creating a larger cooking surface. This is useful if you use large pans.

4. Safety

A good hob will have a number of safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the stove is hot. This can help prevent accidents in the cooking area. Certain hobs may also include a child lock that will keep children from turning the stove on or altering the settings. Some will have a function that allows you to merge two cooking zones into one larger zone so that you can cook in a larger pan.

This is an excellent feature for families and will keep everyone in the kitchen secure. It monitors the temperature of the hob and if it detects that the pan isn't set correctly or there is an occurrence of fire it will shut off the burner instantly. It's a great method to ensure that your home is safe and you should consider it when shopping.

There are many different types of hobs you can pick from which include electric, gas and induction. Gas hobs use an electric flame to heat your pans, while an electric hob comes with electric rings that you are able to control with the touch of the button. Then there is the induction hob that uses a magnetic field to heat your pans. It won't turn on unless you place a magnetizable metal pan on it. This is a reliable type of hob that cools quickly after the pan is removed.

This kind of hob is able to save space because it does not require an extractor fan. You can therefore have a more streamlined kitchen design. It's more expensive than other types of hobs, ovensandhobs however it's a great choice for any family. It can be used to eliminate excessive steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can enhance the air quality at the home. This is a great option for families since it is easy to clean and protects against burns. When it comes to choosing a cooktop, there are a variety of options to consider. It is important to research them all before making your decision.