Choosing the Best Hob

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

If you select an own-brand model, the basic gas-on glass stove will cost less than PS100. They are less difficult to clean, and include various safety features, including a red indicator which glows when they are hot.

1. Flexibility

If you're looking to whip your own quick midweek meal or perfect your pancake technique, a movable hob and oven is crucial. The best hobs offer precise heat control, two wok burners, and a huge cooking surface. They are perfect for a wide variety of recipes. They can also be used in a variety of kitchens thanks to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. In addition, many of them come with the option of adding an extractor fan built-in, eliminating the need for an additional overhead appliance, and freeing up space on your worktop.

Gas hobs provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they are 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 bursting. They also take longer to heat water than induction models.

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

Hybrid hobs blend gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between the two modes depending on what you're cooking. These are great for those looking to test their culinary skills but do not want to make a major investment in their kitchen.

This electric hob is a fantastic model that is flexible in appearance and function. The two flex zones on the hob can be combined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The controls also come with the option of a child lock to prevent children changing the settings. Additionally, it can be connected to a smart hub, which allows you to manage its functions from your smartphone.

If you're in search of a top-quality induction hob that can connect to your Wi-Fi network at home take a look at this one from Smeg. It's packed with features to facilitate cooking faster and more easily with features like automatic pan detection and PowerBoost as well as the ability to set a timer as well as the ability to pause. It's also super-easy to use, with control buttons that respond immediately to changes, and a sleek design that could fit right in in the modern kitchen.

2. Energy efficiency

The most efficient hobs are those that use the most energy, regardless of whether you're boiling water or simmering soup. This means they're an excellent choice for those who want to cut down on their electricity bills. Induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan which prevents the glass from getting hot. This ensures they are safe, preventing accidental burns. While gas hobs aren't as efficient, they can be less expensive to run than electric models.

Our top pick, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, has plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'I-Flex' zone which allows you to merge two cooking zones into a single space, allowing you to cook with large pots and pans. Its touch controls have an option for children to lock the controls to ensure that children cannot switch off the stove or change settings, which is a good feature for families with small children. And although the ceramic glass has a matte finish it is easy to clean with just a little wipe.

The hob also comes with the 'Pan detection function' that will shut off the power to a specific cooking zone when you take off the pan. This isn't the only hob that has this feature, but it's an excellent feature to make life easier if you cook a lot for an entire family or group of friends.

This is an intelligent stove that connects to the internet, so you can control it with an app that you can download on your smartphone. It will alert you when food is ready, so you don't overcook. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in only four minutes, which is extremely rapid for an induction hob. It comes with flexible zones that you can mix, and a Stop & go' button that reduces the cooking zones to the lowest setting.

This compact induction cooker is ideal for camping trips and also for taking to university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob we tested however it still comes with the full range of cooking functions as well as an intuitive touch slider. It also has a built-in "VaryCook" function that lets you to alter the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down on the surface of your hob. This is perfect for making sauces and caramel.

3. Convenience

When you are choosing a new stove, you'll have to consider how it will fit into your kitchen's design and how it can do to improve the efficiency of your home. This will help narrow down your options to help you select the best model for your family as well as your home. It's important to read reviews to see what other people have had to say about the appliance, since it will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses better.

Certain hob brands are famous for their smart technology, making them the go-to option for those who want to control cooking with their mobile. For instance Samsung's models come with electronic timers that let you to set precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is particularly beneficial for those with busy lifestyles and can be used by the timer to ensure that your meals are cooked on time, without needing to keep an watch on them.

Gas hobs can also be an ideal choice for Hob 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 pans and pans on gas hobs. In addition, gas hobs usually have a variety of settings, so you can alter the temperature to suit the pan you are using or your recipe.

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. This is particularly true with induction hobs that have a built-in oven, as they can save space in your kitchen by offering an oven and hob in one unit.

Another feature to look 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, as it will help prevent burns and other injuries. In addition some induction hobs come with an option to link two zones together to create a larger cooking space, which can be useful if you're using large pans.

4. Safety

A quality hob will include many safety features. These will include a hot hob indicator which will alert you when the surface is hot and can stop kitchen accidents. Some hobs will also have an option for a child lock to prevent children from turning the stove on or altering its settings. Some models will come with a function that lets you combine two cooking zones into one larger zone to allow you to cook a larger size pan.

This is a fantastic feature for families and it will help keep everyone safe in the kitchen. It monitors the temperature of the cooktop and if it detects that the pan isn't set properly or there's an incident of fire it will shut off the burner immediately. It's a great method to ensure that your home is secure, and you should consider it when you shop.

You can choose between gas, electric, and induction hobs. Gas hobs use the use of a flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs have electronic rings that can be controlled by pressing the button. Induction hobs use an electric field to heat your pans. They won't work without a magnetizable pan placed on them. This is an efficient type of hob that cools quickly after the pan has been removed.

This kind of hob can be an efficient space-saver since it removes the need for an extractor fan. This means that you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It is more expensive than other types of hobs, but it's a great choice for any family. It can be used to get rid of excessive steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality in your home. This is an excellent choice for families since it is easy to clean and shields against burns. When it comes to choosing a cooktop, there are many options to think about. Make sure to study them all before making your decision.