How to Choose the Best Hob

There are lots of factors to take into consideration when selecting the best ovens uk hob, from price to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important.

A basic ceramic electric stove costs less than PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs, which are also well-known and offer excellent temperature control, but are expensive, are another option.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this cooker from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was one of the fastest boiling water hobs in our tests, taking only four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features a pause function, so you can quickly stop the process without having to fiddle around with the controls.

Its design is sleek and contemporary it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has control buttons that sit flush with the worktop to make it easy to use.

The controls were simple to use and we appreciated the display which shows the current power level and which zone is active. The 'Boost" feature creates powerful heat in a short time. It's ideal to stir fry and speedily bringing pans to boil. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.

However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer to respond when you change the cooking temperature, meaning you may have to change settings several times before the pan is at the right temperature.

The model in 60 cm includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots. It has dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal as well as 'boost' power levels. The Boost model is great for frying and searing meat, or bringing water pans to the rapid boiling point.

It is fully integrated with the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 special programmes divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It has an intuitive multislider interface as well as a lockable control panel. In addition, it can automatically detect the type of pan you're using and set the right cooking mode. It also works with hOn pans from third parties and has several security features, including a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

If you're working in your kitchen or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models are now available for less that PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that come with induction it's worth paying more to get the latest technology.

This sleek model from Smeg features the latest induction technology to make cooking more energy-efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system detects pots that have a diameter of at least 9cm and automatically selects the appropriate zone.

Smeg's main focus is on energy efficiency however, it doesn't overlook the flexibility of this appliance - it can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the highest temperatures that the zones can operate at. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to conserve more energy by reducing power output to as little as 2.4kW.

Testers were awed by this hob's user-friendly interface that has intuitive controls that move along the edges of the hob in order to follow your pan. The control panel's colour scheme allows you to quickly determine the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are a variety of useful functions including four automatic cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm.

In addition to this, the hob has an 'FlameSensor' feature that alerts you when there is a risk of a fire or food that has been burned. There are other safety features, including an indicator of residual heat and an automatic shut-off when the surface is too hot.

It also has a protective CleanProtect coating to protect it from tough staining and cooking marks. This hob has nine power levels, a 'FlexiDuo feature' to allow for large pans, and is simple to set up. There are also a number of bonus features, like locking controls and a safety fuse in case of accidental button pushing.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Powered by electricity rather than gas, induction stoves utilize copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is set on top. This means that they can heat up faster than gas hobs and also save energy as the cooking zone only is heated when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive than gas, and they're easier to wipe clean too and that's why they're an extremely popular option.

Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features that will allow you to get creative in the cooking. It has two separate 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 like Push&Go allow you to create perfectly cooked meals with the click of one button. The controls are easy to use and allow you to select nine power modes including a P boost setting that gives maximum power in each zone for five minutes.

The controls are also simple to use and have a modern, minimalist design that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan when we put it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. However it took a long time to cool down once we turned off the hob. Additionally, our test participants were unable to pinpoint the exact temperature on the control panel.

Alongside the Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to fit larger pans. It has a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven with hob from working when it gets too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers were impressed by that. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room through a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought that this hob and oven's duct was easy to keep clean, although it required two people to take the filter out and change it.

4. Induction Hob by General Electric

Think about how the hob can work with the layout and design of your kitchen and what your cooking style is. Induction hobs are an excellent choice for cooking with kids or elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. Alternatively, for those who prioritize speed and efficiency an electric hob that has a glass face that is wipe-clean is ideal. If you live in areas susceptible to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.