Choosing the Best Hob

The ideal hob for your needs is determined by the type of worktop you have and the space available. Choosing the right hob also involves considering the type of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.

If you choose an own-brand model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are easier to clean, and include a variety of safety features, including the red indicator that lights when they are hot.

1. Flexibility

A hob that is flexible will help you to achieve your goals, whether it's perfecting your pancake recipe or cooking a quick meal for the midweek. The best ovens and hobs hobs offer precise heat control, dual wok burners, and a large cooking surface. They are ideal for a wide variety of recipes. They can also be used in a range of kitchens due to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. Plus, many come with the option to add a built-in extractor fan, eliminating the need for an additional overhead appliance, and freeing up space on your worktop.

Gas hobs are able to provide instant heating, so it's no surprise that they're the most popular choice. They do require periodic cleaning to ensure you aren't putting yourself at risk by carbon build-up on your stove or a fire bursting. Plus, they take longer to heat water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the pan itself rather than the cooker surface, so they are generally more easy to clean. They can be more expensive and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display 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. They're great for people who want to expand their culinary abilities but don't have the time or space for a full-on kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is a great model that offers flexibility in style and performance. Its dual flex zone can be combined to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls come with an option for locking children that prevents children from changing the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so you can control the features from your smartphone.

If you're in search of a top-quality induction hob that can connect to your Wi-Fi network at home then look no further than this one from Smeg. It comes with a variety of features that make cooking simpler and faster, such as automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause function. It's also extremely easy to use and has touch controls that react immediately to changes, and an elegant design that will be perfect for the modern kitchen.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs use the least amount of energy, whether you're cooking soup or bringing water to the boil. This means that they're a great option for people who are looking to reduce their energy 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 and prevents accidental burns. While gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be less expensive to run than electric ones.

The Miele I Flex induction hob is our top pick. It provides a lot of flexibility due to the "I Flex zone. It allows you to combine two cooking zones into one large area, making it possible to use larger pots and pans. The child lock on the touch controls blocks children from turning the hob or changing settings. This is an excellent feature for families with children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish it is easy to keep clean with just a little wipe.

Another great feature of this model is its "Pan detection" function, which automatically switches off the heating zone after you have removed your pan. It's not 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 a family or a group of friends.

This is a smart hob, which connects to the internet, allowing you to manage it through an app on your tablet or smartphone. It will alert you when food is ready to cook so you do not overcook your food. This model was able to boil our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is very rapid for an induction hob. It has flexible cooking zones that can be combined and an 'Stop & Go button that lowers all cooking zones to the lowest setting, so it's simple to turn off.

This compact induction hob is perfect for camping trips and taking to university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob in our tests, but still has an extensive set of cooking functions and a touch-sensitive slider. It also comes with a built-in 'VaryCook' function that lets you vary the temperature by moving your pan upwards and downwards on the surface of the hob, which is ideal to make caramel or sauces.

3. Convenience

When choosing a new hob you should think about the way it's incorporated into your kitchen's design and how it will do to enhance the efficiency of your home. This will help you narrow down your options and select the model that is best for you, your family, and your property. It's important to read reviews to see what other people have to say about the appliance. it will help you identify its strengths and weaknesses.

Some hob brands have advanced technology that makes them the ideal choice for those who wish to control their cooking with their smartphones. Samsung's models, for example, have electronic timers which allow you to set precise timeframes and prevent overcooking. This is especially useful for those who lead hectic lives, since the timer lets you ensure that your meals are cooked at the time they should be without having to monitor them constantly.

Gas hobs can also be a good option for those seeking a more traditional feel. They are able to cook using a wide variety of cookware sizes and styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed cookware and saucepans on gas hobs. Gas hobs usually come with a range of settings, so that you can adjust the temperature to fit your cooking.

Induction hobs are a popular option for those who want to modernize their kitchen because they offer faster heating times and are more efficient in energy use than gas models. Induction hobs with built-in ovens and hobs are very popular due to the fact that they can save space by mixing the oven and hob into one unit.

A child lock is an additional feature to be on the lookout for. It lets you block controls on a stove and protects children from accidents in the kitchen. This feature is crucial for families with children since it can help avoid burns and other injuries. Additionally there are many induction hobs that have the ability to connect two zones to make a larger cooking area, which can be useful if you're using large pans.

4. Safety

A high-quality hob will come with a number of safety features. A hot hob indicator will alert you when the surface of the hob is hot. This will help avoid accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs also come with a child lock that will stop children from turning the hob on or altering its settings. Some will have a function that allows you to combine two cooking zones into one larger zone so that you can cook a wider pan.

This is an excellent feature for families, and can keep everyone in the kitchen safe. It works by monitoring the heat of the hob. If it determines that the pan hasn't been placed correctly, or if there is an ignition on the stove it will turn off the burner. This is a fantastic way to ensure that your home is safe and is something you should be looking for when you are shopping around.

You can select between electric, gas, and induction hobs oven. A gas hob makes use of a flame to heat the pans, while an electric hob comes with electric rings that you are able to control by pressing one button. Induction hobs use magnets to heat your pans. They won't function unless a magnetizable pan is placed on them. This is a reliable type of hob that cools quickly after the pan has been removed.

This kind of hob can be an ideal space saver since it does not require an extractor fan, so you can have a sleek kitchen design. It can be more expensive than other hobs but it is a fantastic option for any household. It can also be used to remove excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which can aid in improving the air quality inside your home. This is a great option for families since it can protect against burns and is simple to clean. There are many different options available for you to consider when selecting the right hob, so make sure you take the time to study each one prior to making your decision.