Choosing the Best Hob

Choosing the best hob depends on your cooking preferences as well as the space available. The type of worktop used and the location of the extractor hood are also important considerations when choosing the right hob.

A basic gas-on-glass hob costs less than PS100 if you opt for an own-brand model. They're easier to clean and offer various safety features including the red indicator that illuminates when the surface is hot.

1. Flexibility

If you're looking for a way to cook up a quick midweek meal or master your pancake making technique A hob that is flexible is key. The best hobs offer precise heat control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They are ideal for a wide variety of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. Many come with an option to include an extractor fan which eliminates the requirement for separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space for your workspace.

Gas hobs provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're an extremely popular option. However, they need regular cleaning to ensure you don't run the risk of carbon build-up in your hob or a fire bursting. In addition, they typically take longer to boil water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat 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 show fingerprints and scratches.

Hybrid hobs offer the advantages of gas and Best Ovens induction cooking into one product that lets you switch between the two depending on the kind of food you're cooking. They are great for those who enjoy flexing their culinary skills, but don't have the space or time for a full-on kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is a great example of a model which allows for flexibility in style and performance. The dual flex zone can be combined to accommodate larger pans and pots, while its controls have a child lock feature that stops children from changing the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so you can manage the features via your smartphone.

If you're looking for a top-quality induction hob that connects to your home Wi-Fi network, look no further than this model from Smeg. It has many features that make cooking more efficient and quicker, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It's also simple to use thanks to control buttons that respond instantly to changes you make and sleek modern design.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs use as little energy as possible, whether you're cooking soup or bringing water to a boil. They're also a great option for those who wish to reduce their electricity bills. Induction hobs are the most efficient kind, using electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan to ensure that your glass stays cool. This also ensures they are safe to avoid burns from accidental accidents. Gas hobs may not be as efficient but they are more affordable than electric models.

The Miele I-Flex induction hob is our top pick. It provides a lot of flexibility because of the 'I Flex' zone, which allows you to combine two cooking zones together into one large area, so you can use big saucepans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls stops children from turning the hob or changing settings. This is a great feature for families with young children. The ceramic glass is matte however, it is easy to clean by wiping it clean.

The hob also comes with an "Pan detection function" that shuts off power to a specific cooking zone when removing a pan. This isn't the only hob that has this feature, but it's a great addition to make life easier for those who cook for a large family or a group of friends.

This is a smart stove that is connected to the Internet so you can control it via an app on your smartphone. It can also notify you when food is ready so that you do not overcook it. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water on this model, which is a lot for an induction hob. It has flexible cooking zones that you can mix and a 'Stop & Go button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting, so it's simple to turn off.

This portable induction hob is compact and ideal for camping or taking to university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we've tested, yet it comes with all of our cooking functions and an adjustable slider. It also comes with an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that allows you to control the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down the surface of the hob. This is great for making sauces and caramel.

3. Convenience

You should think about how the hob can fit into your kitchen, and what it will contribute to improving the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow down your choices so that you can pick a model that's ideal for your family and property. You should also review reviews to learn what other people think about the appliance. This will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Certain brands of hobs come with advanced technology that makes them the ideal option for those who want to control their cooking using their smartphone. Samsung's models, as an example come with electronic timers that allow you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is especially helpful for those with busy lifestyles because you can use the timer to ensure that your meals are cooked on time, without needing to keep an watch over them.

Gas hobs are a great choice for those who want traditional style, since they can be used with a range of cookware designs and sizes. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed cookware and saucepans on gas hobs. In addition, gas hobs usually have a variety of settings, which means you can alter the temperature to suit your recipe or pan type.

Induction hobs, which are more energy-efficient than gas models and provide quicker heat-up times and are an option for those looking to modernise a kitchen. Hobs that have built-in ovens are particularly popular since they can reduce space by combining the oven with hob and hob in one unit.

Another thing to look out for is a child lock that allows you to shut off the controls of a hob and protect children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This is particularly important for families with young children since it can help avoid burns and hob other injuries. Induction hobs often include a feature that permits the linking of two zones together, creating more cooking space. This is particularly useful when you cook with large pans.

4. Safety

A high-quality hob comes with several safety features. These include an indicator for hot hobs that will warn you when the surface is hot and prevent accidents in the kitchen. Some hobs come with a child lock to prevent children from turning on the stove or changing settings. Some will have a function that allows you to merge two cooking zones into a single zone, allowing you to cook a wider pan.

This is a great feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is safe. It works by observing the heat of the hob. If it determines that the pan has not been properly placed or if there's a fire on the hob, it will automatically turn off the burner. This is a fantastic way to ensure that your home is secure and is something you should be looking for when you are shopping for.

There are a number of different kinds of hobs you can select from, including gas, electric and induction. A gas hob makes use of an electric flame to heat your pans, while an electric hob has electric rings that you are able to control by pressing the button. Then there's the induction hob, which makes use of magnets to heat your pans. It will not turn on until you put a magnetizable metal pan on top of it. This is a very efficient hob, and it cools quickly after the pan is removed.

This type of hob saves space as it does not require an extractor fan. It is therefore possible to have a an easier kitchen design. It is more expensive than other hobs but it is a fantastic option for any household. It is also able to eliminate excess steam and smoke from the kitchen, which can aid in improving the air quality in your home. This is a great option for families, as it is easy to clean and shields against burns. When choosing a hob there are a lot of choices to take into consideration. It is important to research them all before making a decision.