Choosing the Best Hob

Choosing the best hob depends on your preferences for cooking and available space. The type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are important considerations when deciding on the right hob.

If you select an own-brand model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They're less difficult to clean and come with various safety features like an indicator in red that lights when the surface is heated.

1. Flexibility

A hob that is flexible will help you to achieve your goals, whether that's perfecting your pancake recipe or cooking a quick meal for a midweek meal. The best hobs give you precise temperature control, with features such as dual wok burners as well as an enormous cooking space which makes them perfect for a variety of dishes. They can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. A lot of them come with the option to include an extractor fan built-in which eliminates the need for separate overhead appliances and freeing space on your workspace.

Gas hobs are able to provide instant warmth, so it's not a surprise that they're a popular choice. They do require periodic cleaning to ensure that you don't run the risk of carbon build-up in your hob or a fire bursting. They also take longer to heat water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the pan itself rather than the cooker surface which makes them more easy to clean. But they can also be more expensive than gas hobs, and their glossy surfaces can expose fingerprints and scratches more easily.

Hybrid hobs offer the benefits of both gas and induction cooking in one appliance which allows you to switch between modes depending on the kind of food you're cooking. They are perfect for those who want to test their culinary skills, but aren't looking to upgrade their kitchen.

This electric hob is a fantastic example of a model that can be flexed in design and function. Its dual flex zone can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans and its controls feature an option for locking children that prevents children from changing the settings. Additionally, it can be connected to a smart hub which allows you to manage its functions using your smartphone.

If you're looking for a high-spec induction cooker that can connect to the Wi-Fi network in your home then look no further than this one from Smeg. It's loaded with features that make cooking faster and easier with features like automatic pan detection and PowerBoost as well as a timer and the ability to pause. It's also extremely easy to use, with touch controls that react immediately to changes, and an elegant design that will look great in the modern kitchen.

2. Energy efficiency

The most efficient hobs consume the least amount of energy regardless of whether you're cooking soup or bringing water to a boiling point. This means they're an excellent choice for those who want to cut down on their electric costs. Induction hobs are the most efficient kind that make use of electromagnetic fields to heat your pan directly so that the glass stays cool. This also makes them the most secure choice and prevents accidental burns. Gas hobs aren't as efficient, but they're cheaper to operate than electric ones.

Our top choice, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction hob, comes with plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'I-Flex' zone that allows you to merge two cooking zones into one large space, allowing you to cook with large pans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls blocks children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is a fantastic feature for families with young children. The ceramic glass is smooth however, it can be cleaned by a simple wipe.

The hob also comes with the 'Pan detection function' that shuts off the power to a specific cooking area when you remove the pan. This isn't the only hob with this feature however it's a fantastic addition that makes your life easier when you cook many meals for your family or group of friends.

This is a smart hob, which connects to the internet, allowing you to control it using an app on your tablet or smartphone. It can even alert you when your food is ready so that you don't overcook it. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in less than four minutes, which is incredibly quick for an Induction stove. It comes with flexible cooking zones which you can combine and the "Stop & Go button that lowers all the cooking zones to the lowest setting so it's simple to turn off.

This induction hob is portable and is compact and perfect for camping trips or a trip to the university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we've tested, yet it comes with all of our cooking functions as well as a responsive slider. It also comes with a built-in "VaryCook" function that allows you to adjust the temperature of your pan by dragging it up and down the surface of the hob. This is ideal for making sauces and caramel.

3. Convenience

When choosing a new hob you'll need to think about the way it's incorporated into your kitchen design and what it will add to the utility of your home. This will help you narrow down your options so that you can select a model that's ideal for your family as well as your home. You should also review reviews to learn what other people think about the appliance. This can help you understand its strengths and weakness.

Certain brands of hobs are known for their advanced technology, which makes them the go-to option for those who prefer to control cooking with their smartphone. Samsung's models, as an example, have electronic timers which allow you to set precise cooking times and stop overcooking. This is particularly helpful for people who have a busy schedule, as you can use the timer to ensure that meals are ready at the right time without needing to keep an eye on them.

Gas hobs are a good option for those seeking a more traditional feel. They can be used to cook with a broad range of cookware sizes and styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed cookware and saucepans on gas stoves. Gas hobs are often equipped with a variety of settings, so that you can alter the temperature to fit your recipe.

Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models and provide faster heating times and are a popular choice among those who want to modernize their kitchen. Induction hobs with built-in ovens are particularly popular due to the fact that they can save space by combining the oven and hob into one.

Another feature to look out for is a child lock, which allows you to block the controls on a hob and shield children from accidents in the kitchen. This is particularly important for families with young children since it can help avoid burns and other injuries. Additionally there are many induction hobs that have a function that lets you connect two zones to create a larger cooking space, which can be useful in the event that you're using large pots.

4. Safety

A good hob will have many safety features. These include an indicator for the hot surface of the hob that will hob and oven warn you when the surface is hot and will stop kitchen accidents. Certain hobs may also include an option for a child lock to prevent children from turning the hob on or altering its settings. Some hobs have a feature that allows you merge two cooking zones into a larger zone, so you can cook a large pan.

This is a fantastic feature for families with children and it will help ensure everyone's safety in the kitchen. It monitors the temperature of the stove and if it determines that the pan isn't placed properly or there's a fire it will shut off the burner automatically. This is a great method to ensure your home is safe and is something you should look for when you are shopping for a new stove.

You can select between electric, gas and induction hobs. Gas hobs make use of an electric flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs feature electronic rings that you can control by pressing a button. There is also the induction hob that uses a magnetic field to heat your pans and will not start unless you place a magnetizable pan on top of it. This is a highly efficient kind of hob that will cool quickly after the pan has been removed.

This type of hob is an efficient space-saver since it eliminates the need for an extractor fan, so you can have a minimalist kitchen design. It is more expensive than other types of hobs but it's a great option for any household. It can be used to eliminate excessive steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality in your home. This is an excellent option for families since it will protect you from burns and is very easy to clean. There are a number of different options available for you to think about when choosing the right hob, so make sure you take the time to research each one before making a decision.