How to Choose the Best Hob
When deciding on the best hob to buy there are a lot of aspects to take into account. From price to energy efficiency. So deciding what features are essential is vital.
A basic ceramic electric stove costs as little as PS100. However you'll have to pay more for a model that comes with many features. Gas hobs are another popular option and offer excellent temperature control, but they're also pricier.
1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob
With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions this stove from Haier will allow you to cook quick meals. It was among the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking only four minutes. It has a child lock and the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process swiftly without having to fiddle with controls.
Its design is sleek and modern it blends seamlessly with modern kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive, and they sit in a flush position on the countertop.
The controls were easy to operate and we appreciated the display that displays the current power level as well as which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a brief period of time. It is ideal for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil fast. The hob's hot light and the automatic shutoff are helpful safety features, too.
However, it's not as responsive to touch as other hobs we tested. We observed that it took nine presses on the control to achieve 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. You may need to adjust the settings several times to get the right temperature.
This model is 60cm long and has four cooking zones, including a half-flex zone where two areas can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans. It comes with a dual-ring design and is able to operate on both normal and boost power levels. The Boost model is great for frying meat, searing it or bringing pots of water to the rapid boil.
It is fully connected through the hOn App, and offers 100's of recipes, guides for cooking, and 30 special programs divided into various food categories and types of preparation. It comes with a multislider control panel that has a lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to determine the appropriate cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn cookware from third party companies and has several safety features such as the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.
2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob
Whether you're having work done in your kitchen, or searching for a substitute to gas induction hobs, they are becoming increasingly popular. Prices have slashed over the past few years, with the simplest four-zone models available for less than PS100. If you want the latest induction technology, it's worth the extra cost.
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 minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to select the correct zone without having to manually select it.
Smeg's attention to energy savings doesn't overlook flexibility either - this hob is designed to conserve power by setting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking requirements. Eco-Logic advanced mode allows you to save more energy by reducing the power output to as little as 2.4kW.
Testers were awed by the user-friendly interface of this hob, with intuitive sliding controls that slide along the edge of the hob to follow the pan. The color scheme of the control panel helps you quickly identify the operational status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful features, including four cooking presets that automatically cook (melting boiling slow cooking, and keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.
The hob also has an alarm system that will notify you in the event of a meal that's been burned or an igniting fire. There are many safety features, including the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface becomes too hot.
It also resists tough stains, and has a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob has nine power levels and an 'FlexiDuo feature' that is perfect to accommodate large pans and is easy to put in. There are also a variety of extra features, like locking controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing.
3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob
Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to create an electric force when a pan or pot is placed on them. This means that they can reach temperatures faster than gas hobs, and also save energy as the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They're generally less expensive than gas and are simpler to clean and that's why they're an extremely popular choice.
The induction hob made by Indesit is packed full of features that allow you to be creative in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form the Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, as well as an instant booster zone to quickly bring water to a boil. The Push&Go feature, for instance, allows you to cook perfectly at the touch the button. There are nine power modes including a 'P-boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily set using the controls, which move across the bottom of the cooktop to follow the pans.
The controls are easy to use and have modern, minimalist designs that is perfect for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it cooked pasta water in a flash and was quick to heat up after placing an oven on the Booster zone. However, it took some time to cool down after it was turned off from the hob. Our test participants were unable to see the exact temperatures on the control panel.
In addition to having a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob also has a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It has a child lock as well as an overheating block. It also has an automatic switch-off feature that prevents the hob from working when it gets too hot. Our test subjects were pleased that there weren't any visible flames that were messy and messy, and the ceramic glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw smoke and steam from the pan and out of the room by a duct on the surface. Our experts believed that the duct on this hob was easy to clean, even though it required two people to lift the filter to change it.
4. Induction Hob manufactured by GE
Think about how the hob will work with the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style. Induction hobs are a great choice for cooking with kids or elderly in mind. They are equipped with safety features such as automatic shut-offs as well as a cool-to-touch surface. 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 susceptible to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs in power cuts may tilt the balance in favor of gas models.