An In-Depth Look Into The Future What Is The Best Hob Industry Look Like In 10 Years?

How to Choose the Best Hob There are lots of factors to consider when choosing the ideal hob, ranging from the price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital. A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to pay more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are a popular option and offer excellent temperature control, however they are more expensive. 1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob This Haier hob has four cooking zones, three 'Push&Go” functions, and can aid in cooking quick meals. It was also among the fastest tests to boil water, taking just under four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and has an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to fiddle around with controls. Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is heatproof and shatterproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit directly on the worktop. The controls were easy to operate and we loved the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a brief duration, and is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil fast. Safety features such as the hob light that is hot and automatic shutoff are useful. It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. We found it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, as opposed to six or seven on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond to changes in temperature. You may have to adjust the settings several times before you get the proper temperature. ovens uk and comes with four cooking zones. One of them is a half-flex zone, where two areas can easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. The dual-ring design allows it to be operated on both “normal” and “boost” power levels. It is perfect for cooking and searing meat, or bringing pots of water to the rapid boil. It's fully connected via the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes, with cooking instructions and 30 different programmes split into different food categories and types of preparation. It has a multislider control panel with a 'lockable interface' and can detect the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans made by third-party manufacturers and comes with a number of safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob When you're doing work on your kitchen or simply searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, they are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models are now sold at less than PS100. If you want all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system, it's worth paying extra for the latest innovations. This slick-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction technology that makes your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The innovative Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with a minimum diameter of 9cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without having to select it manually. Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook flexibility – this hob can be adjusted to save power based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to conserve more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW. The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan along the edges of it. The control panel's colour scheme allows you to quickly determine the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking and keeping warm. The hob also has an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a burnt-on meal or a fire. There are many safety features like the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic shut-off when the surface gets too hot. It also resists hard stains and comes with a CleanProtect protective coating. The stove is simple to set up and has nine power levels as well as an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are also a number of additional features, such as lockable controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They utilize copper plates to generate magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. This means that they can heat up much quicker than conventional gas hobs. They can also reduce energy consumption since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on a pan. They are generally cheaper to run than gas, and they are also simpler to clean. The induction hob made by Indesit is packed with features that make it easy to get creative in the kitchen. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined into the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring boiling water to. A variety of automated functions such as Push&Go let you achieve perfectly cooked dishes at the touch of a button. There are nine power modes that include a 'P boost' setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily selected using the controls, which are positioned along the bottom edge of the hob to track your pans. The controls are also easy to use and have an elegant, minimalist design that's ideal for a contemporary kitchen. In our tests, it boiled pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up when we put an oven in the Booster zone. However it took a long time to cool down once we turned off the hob. Our test participants were unable to determine the precise temperature on the control panel. This Indesit hob also features a bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones for larger pans. It also has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic switch-off system which prevents the hob from working when it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no visible flames. Our testers were impressed by that. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room via a duct on the surface. Our experts thought this hob's duct was easy to clean, though it took two people to take the filter out and change it. 4. GE Induction Hob Consider how the hob will be able to fit into your kitchen's layout and design as well as what your cooking style is. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, safety features like automatic shut-off and cool to the touch surface may make an induction hob the best option. If you're looking for speed and efficiency using a ceramic glass facia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. For those living in regions prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs during power cuts may make the difference in favor of gas models.