Choosing the Best Hob

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

If you choose an own-brand model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are less difficult to clean and come with many safety features, including an indicator that glows red when they are hot.

1. Flexibility

A flexible hob will aid you in reaching your goals, whether that's perfecting your pancake technique or making a quick dinner for midweek. The top hobs have precise heat control, two wok burners, ovens and hobs a huge cooking surface. They are 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 of adding an integrated extractor fan that eliminates the need for a separate overhead appliance, and freeing up space on your worktop.

Gas hobs provide instant warmth, so it's not a surprise that they're the most popular option. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning in order to avoid carbon buildup or fires. Additionally, they take longer to heat water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the cooking pan itself rather than the cooker surface They are, therefore, cleaner to maintain. But they can also be more expensive than gas hobs, as their glossy surfaces may expose fingerprints and scratches more easily.

Hybrid hobs offer the benefits of both gas and induction cooking into one product which allows you to switch between modes depending on the type of food you're making. They are ideal for those looking to test their culinary skills but aren't looking to invest in a new kitchen.

This electric hob is an excellent model that allows for flexibility in style and performance. The dual flex zones can be used to accommodate larger pans or pots. The controls also have a child lock that prevents children from altering the settings. It's also designed to connect to a smart hub so you can control the features using your smartphone.

Smeg's induction hob is a high-end model that can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. It's packed with features that make cooking faster and easier with features like automatic pan detection and PowerBoost, as well as an alarm clock and an option to pause. It's also incredibly simple to use, with touch controls that react immediately to changes in the recipe and a sleek design that would look great in a modern kitchen.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs use the minimal amount of energy whether you're boiling water or simmering soup. This means that they're ideal for those who want to cut down on their electricity costs. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan which prevents the glass from getting hot. This makes them the most secure choice to avoid burns from accidental accidents. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be more affordable to run than electric models.

The Miele I Flex induction hob is our top pick. It offers a lot of flexibility because of the 'I Flex' zone, which allows you to join two cooking zones together to create a larger area so you can use big pots and pans. Its touch controls come with an option for children to lock the controls to ensure that children cannot switch off the stove or alter the settings this is a great feature for households with small kids. The ceramic glass is smooth however it can be cleaned by wiping it clean.

This hob also has a 'Pan detection function' that shuts off the power to a specific cooking zone when you take off a pan. It's not the only one with this feature however it's a fantastic addition that makes your life easier when you cook a lot of meals for a family or group of friends.

This is a smart stove that is connected to the internet, so you can control it using an app on your smartphone. It can also 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 zones that you can combine with a Stop & go' button that reduces all cooking zones to their lowest setting.

The induction cooker is portable and has a slim design that's perfect for camping trips or a trip to the university. It is the thinnest and lightest hob we've tried, yet it comes with all of our cooking functions as well as an adjustable slider. It also comes with an integrated 'VaryCook' feature which lets you vary the temperature by moving your pan upwards and downwards on the surface of the hob, which is perfect to make caramel or sauces.

3. Convenience

When choosing a new hob you should think about how it will fit into the design of your kitchen and what it can do to improve the functionality of your home. This will help you narrow down your options so that you can pick the best model for your family and home. You should also review reviews to learn what other people's opinions are about the appliance. This will aid in understanding its strengths and weakness.

Certain brands of hobs are known for their innovative technology, making them the ideal choice for those who want to control cooking with their smartphones. For example Samsung's models have electronic timers that let you to determine precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is especially beneficial for people who have hectic lives, since the timer lets you ensure that your meals are cooked when they should be without needing to keep an eye on them.

Gas hobs can also be a good choice for those looking for an older-style feel. They are able to cook with a broad variety of cookware sizes and styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pots and pans on gas hobs. Gas hobs usually come with a variety of settings so that you can adjust the temperature to fit your recipe.

Induction hobs are yet another popular option for those looking to modernize their kitchens since they have faster heat-up times and are more efficient in energy use than gas models. This is especially true with induction hobs that come with a built-in oven and hob, as they can reduce space in your kitchen by allowing you to have a combined oven and hob in one unit.

A child lock is a different option to look for. It lets you disable the controls on a stove and shields children from accidents in the kitchen. This feature is crucial for families with young children since it can help avoid burns and other injuries. In addition some induction hobs come with the ability to link two zones together to make 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 will alert you when the surface of the hob is heated. 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 stove on or altering its settings. Some hobs feature the ability to combine two cooking zones to create an even larger area, so you can cook a wide pan.

This is a fantastic feature for families and will keep everyone in the kitchen safe. It works by monitoring the temperature of the cooktop and if it senses that the pan isn't positioned correctly or there's an incident of fire it will shut off the burner immediately. This is a great way to ensure your home is secure and is something you should look for when you shop around.

You can pick between electric, gas, and induction hobs. Gas hobs make use of the use of a flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs feature electric rings you can control by pressing a button. Induction hobs use a magnetic field for heating your pans. They won't function without a magnetizable pan placed on them. This is a highly efficient kind of hob that will cool quickly after the pan has been removed.

This kind of hob is a space saver as it does not require an extractor fan. This means that you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It's more expensive than other types of hobs but it's a great option for any family. It can also be used to remove excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which will aid in improving the air quality inside your home. This is a fantastic choice for families, as it is easy to clean and guards against burns. When choosing a hob there are a lot of options to consider. Make sure to study them all before making your choice.