How to Choose the best hob uk Hob

When selecting the ideal hob there are a variety of factors to take into consideration. From price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital.

A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However, you will need to pay more for one with numerous features. Gas hobs are another popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're more expensive.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

This Haier stove has four cooking zones and three "Push&Go" functions and can help you prepare quick meals. It was among the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child-safe and comes with an option to pause the process, so you can stop the process without having to faff around with the controls.

Its design is sleek, contemporary, and works well with modern kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof ovens and hobs uk heatproof) or ceramic, and comes with control buttons that sit in the same place as the worktop to make it easy to use.

The controls were easy to use and we loved the display that shows the current power level and the zone that is in use. The 'Boost" feature creates powerful heat in a short time. It is ideal for stir-frying and quickly boiling pans. Safety features like the light on the hot hob or automatic shut-off are also useful.

It's not as responsive as the other hobs in this test. We found that it took nine presses on the control to reach the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to react to changes in temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings a few times to get the right heat.

This 60 cm model includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone that two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. It features a dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal and boost power levels. It is perfect for cooking meat, searing it or bringing pans of water to a rapid boiling point.

It is fully connected through the hOn App and has hundreds of recipes, a guide to cooking, and 30 unique programmes divided into different food categories and types of cooking. It has a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It is also compatible with hOn cookware from third-party manufacturers and comes with various safety features such as a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether you are renovating your kitchen or searching for a gas-free alternative. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with basic four-zone models starting at less than PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it is worth the extra cost.

This slick-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction technology that makes your cooking energy-efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically recognises the position of pots that have minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without having to manually select it.

Smeg's focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the possibility of flexibility. The hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the highest temperatures that the zones can operate at. There are also options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 4 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this cooker impressed testers, thanks to its easy-to-use sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The control panel's colour scheme helps you quickly identify the status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.

The oven also comes with an alarm system that will notify you when there's a risk of a meal that's been burned or a fire. There are other safety features, such as an indicator of residual heat and an auto switch-off if the surface is too hot.

It also resists tough stains and features a protective coating of CleanProtect. This model has nine power levels as well as an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect for accommodating large pans and is easy to put in. There are also a number of additional features, like lockable controls and an emergency fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Electricity is the primary source of power, rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electric field when a pan is placed on the top. They are able to heat up faster than gas hobs and they use less energy because the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive to run than gas and are easier to wipe clean too, which makes them a popular option.

Indesit's induction cooktop is packed of features that will allow you to develop your cooking ideas. It comes with two distinct zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring water to a boil. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook with perfection at the touch a button. And nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected with the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the cooktop to follow the pans.

The controls are also simple to operate and feature modern, minimalist designs that's perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up once we placed an oven in the Booster zone. However, it took a long time to cool down after we shut off the hob. Additionally, our testers were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.

This Indesit hob also comes with a bridge function, which allows you to connect two cooking zones to make larger pans. It also has an overheating and child lock block, as well as an auto shut-off feature that shuts down the hob and oven when it's too hot. Ceramic glass is easy to clean and there are no flames visible. Our test subjects were pleased with that. Ventilated hobs unlike traditional extractors draw steam best ovens and hobs uk smoke from the pan out of the room through a duct on the surface. Our experts thought that this hob's duct was easy to clean, even though it required two people to lift the filter out to change it.

4. GE Induction Hob

When selecting a hob think about how it will fit into your kitchen's design and layout, as well as your cooking style and life. For instance, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, security features such as automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface may make an induction stove a better choice. If you're looking for speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. Gas hobs are a great alternative for those living in areas that are susceptible to power outages.