Choosing the Best Hob

The best hob for you depends on the type of worktop you have and the space available. Choosing the right type of hob requires a look at the kind of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.

If you choose an own-brand model, an ordinary gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They're less difficult to clean and have a range of safety features including the red indicator that illuminates when the surface is heated.

1. Flexibility

A versatile hob can assist you in achieving your goals, whether that's perfecting your pancake recipe or making a quick meal for a midweek meal. The best hobs provide precise heat control, dual wok burners, and a huge cooking surface. They are ideal for a wide range of recipes. These hobs can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. Many of them have the option to add an extractor fan built-in to eliminate the requirement for separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space on your workspace.

Gas hobs are able to provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're a popular choice. They do require periodic cleaning to ensure you don't run the risk of carbon build-up on your stove or a fire breaking out. Plus, they can often take longer to boil water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the cooking pan itself rather than the surface of the cooker which makes them more easy to clean. They can be more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to show fingerprints and scratches.

Hybrid hobs combine both gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between both modes depending on what you're cooking. They're great for people who want to expand their culinary skills but don't have the time or space for a major kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is an excellent example of a model which provides flexibility in design and function. The dual flex zone can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans, while its controls have an option for locking children which prevents children from altering the settings. And it's also designed to be connected to a smart hub which allows you to manage its functions using your smartphone.

Smeg's induction cooktop is a high-spec model that is connected to your home WiFI network. It comes with a variety of features that make cooking simpler and faster, such as automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It is also very easy to use with touchscreen controls that react immediately to changes you make, and an elegant, modern design.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs use the least amount of energy, whether you're cooking soup or bringing water up to boil. This makes them an excellent choice for those who want to cut their energy bills. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from becoming hot. Induction hobs are the most secure option, since they avoid accidental burns. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be cheaper to run than electric models.

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

Another impressive feature of this hob is its "Pan detection" function, which automatically turns off the cooking zone's power when you take your pan off. This is not the only hob with this feature, but it's a great 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 is connected to the internet so that you can control it using an app on your phone. It can alert you when food is ready, so you don't overcook it. This model here was able to boil our test pan of hot water in only four minutes, which is incredibly quick for an Induction stove. It comes with flexible zones that can be combined with a Stop & go' button which reduces the cooking zones to the lowest setting.

This portable induction hob has a slim design that's perfect for camping trips or a trip to the university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob that we tried, yet it includes all of our cooking functions as well as an adjustable slider. It also has a built-in "VaryCook" function that allows you to adjust the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down the surface of the hob. This is perfect for making caramel sauces and sauces.

3. Convenience

You'll need to think about how the hob will fit in your kitchen and what it can do to improve the efficiency of your home. This will help narrow down your choices to help you select a model that's ideal for your family and property. It's important to read reviews to see what other people have to say about the appliance. this will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Certain brands of hobs come with smart technology that makes them the ideal choice for those looking to control their cooking through their smartphones. For example, Samsung's models feature electronic timers that allow you to determine precise cooking times and stop overcooking. This is particularly beneficial for people who have a busy schedule, as you can use the timer to ensure that meals are prepared at the correct time without having to keep an watch on them.

Gas hobs are also a great option for those who prefer traditional style, since they can be used with a variety of cookware designs and sizes. This includes non-flat-bottomed pans and pans, which may be difficult to accommodate on other hobs. Gas hobs usually come with a variety of settings so that you can adjust the temperature to fit your cooking.

Induction hobs are yet another popular choice for those who are looking to modernise their kitchen, as they provide quicker heating times and are more energy efficient than gas models. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are especially popular since they can reduce space by mixing the oven and hob into one.

A child lock is another feature to be on the lookout for. It lets you stop the stove's controls and protects children from kitchen accidents. This is a crucial feature for those with young children, as it could help to avoid burns and other injuries. Induction hobs often come with a feature that allows you to connect two zones, creating a larger cooking surface. This is useful for large pans.

4. Safety

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

This is a fantastic feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is safe. It works by monitoring the temperature of the stove and if it determines that the pan isn't set properly or there's an incident of fire it will shut down the burner instantly. It's a great way to ensure your home is safe and you should take it into consideration when you are shopping.

You can pick between electric, gas and induction hobs. Gas hobs use a flame to heat the pans, while an electric hob comes with electric rings that you are able to control by pressing a button. Then there's the induction hob which uses an electric field to heat your pans and won't turn on unless you place a magnetizable pan on it. This is a reliable type of hob that will cool quickly after the pan is removed.

This kind of hob is able to save space as it does not require an extractor fan. It is therefore possible to have a an easier kitchen design. It can be more expensive than other hobs but it is a fantastic choice for any home. It can be used to eliminate the excess steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can enhance the air quality at home. This is a fantastic choice for families as it is easy to clean and guards against burns. When selecting a kitchen appliance, there are a variety of choices to take into consideration. Make sure to research them all before making a decision.