How to Choose the Best Hob

When selecting the ideal hob, there are many factors to take into consideration. From cost to energy efficiency. Therefore, deciding which features are essential is vital.

A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100 However, you'll need to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs, also popular and offer great temperature control, but are expensive, are another option.

1. Haier I-Flex Induction Hob

With four cooking zones and three 'Push&Go' functions, this stove from Haier can assist you in making quick meals. It was also among the quickest tested to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It comes with the child lock as well as a an pause feature, so you can stop the process in a snap without having to mess with controls.

Its design is sleek and modern and blends 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 in a flush position on the countertop.

The controls were simple to operate and we loved the display which shows the current power level as well as which zone is currently in use. The 'Boost' feature generates high-powered heat for a brief period of time. It is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pans of water to the boil quickly. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also beneficial.

It's not as responsive as the other hobs tested in this test. We found it took nine presses of the control to achieve the highest temperature, in contrast to seven or six on other models. It also takes longer for the pan to respond when you change the temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings several times to achieve the correct heat.

The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of it is a half-flex zone that allows two zones to easily be joined to accommodate larger pots or pans. It has a dual-ring design and can operate on both 'normal as well as 'boost power levels. It is perfect for cooking and searing meat, or bringing pots of water to the rapid boil.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app, and offers 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation types. It has a multislider control panel with a "lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It also works with hOn cookware from third party companies and has several safety features like the ability to lock the panel and boil-dry prevention.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are becoming increasingly popular, whether renovating your kitchen or are looking for a non-gas option. Prices have dropped drastically in the past few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less than PS100. But 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 sleek-looking model from Smeg boasts the latest induction tech to keep your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The revolutionary Auto-pot detection technology automatically detects the location of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, allowing you to select the correct zone without needing to select it manually.

Smeg's primary focus is on energy efficiency but it doesn't forget flexibility - this hob can be adjusted to save energy based on the maximum temperatures of the zones. Eco-Logic advanced mode lets you to save more energy by reducing the power output to as low as 2.4kW.

The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, thanks to its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edge of it. The color scheme of the control panel helps you quickly identify the operating status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' function allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pots. There are plenty of useful features, such as four cooking presets for automatic cooking (melting boiling, melting slow cooking, keeping warm) and a Power Boost for super-quick results.

The hob also comes with a FlameSensor that can alert you in the event of a food item being burned or a fire. There are a variety of safety features, including a residual heat indicator and an auto switch-off if the surface becomes too hot.

It is also resistant to tough stains, and has a protective coating of CleanProtect. This model has nine power levels and a 'FlexiDuo feature' to allow for large pans, and is simple to set up. There are a host of additional features, like locking 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 hobs make use of copper plates that create an electromagnetic field when the pan is placed on the top. They can heat up much faster than gas hobs, and they use less energy because the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on your pan. They're generally less expensive than gas, and they're easier to clean, which makes them an extremely popular choice.

This induction hob by Indesit is packed full of features that make it easy to create your own ideas in the kitchen. It has two separate zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone to accommodate larger pans, and an instant booster zone to quickly bring the water to a boil. A range of functions that are automatic like Push&Go allow you to create perfectly cooked meals by pressing the button. There are nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for five minutes, are easily selected with the controls, which are positioned across the bottom of the hob to track the pans.

The controls are simple to use and the minimalist design is ideal for a modern kitchen. In our tests, it was able to boil pasta water in a snap and quickly heated up after placing an oven on the Booster zone. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.

In addition to having a Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you connect two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It also comes with a child lock and overheating block and an auto switch-off system that stops the hob working when it's heated to the point of. Our test subjects oven hob were pleased that there weren't any visible flames or flammable substances and the glass was easy to wipe clean. Ventilated hobs, unlike traditional extractors, draw smoke and steam from the pan out of the room by a duct located on the surface. Our experts thought the duct on this hob was easy to keep clean, although it took two people to lift the filter out and change it.

4. GE Induction Hob

When selecting a hob think about how it will fit into your kitchen's design and layout, and also your cooking style and lifestyle. Induction hobs are a good option if you cook with children or older people in mind. They have safety features like automatic shut-offs and a cool to touch surface. For those who value speed and efficiency, a ceramic glass fascia on an electric hob is the ideal choice. For those living in regions susceptible to load-shedding, the capability to use gas hobs during power outages may make the difference in favor of a gas model.