How to Choose the Best Hob

There are a lot of aspects to consider when choosing the best ovens hob, from price to energy efficiency. Choose the features that are the most important.

A basic electric ceramic hob could cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to pay more for a feature-packed model. Gas hobs are another popular choice, and offer great temperature control, but they're also pricier.

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 also among the fastest tested to boil water, which took just under four minutes. It has an child lock and the ability to pause, which means you can stop the process quickly without having to mess with controls.

Its design is sleek, modern and is a great match for contemporary kitchens. It is usually made of glass (which is shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic. The controls are touch-sensitive and rest in a flush position on the countertop.

The controls were simple to use, and we liked the display that shows the current power level and which zone is in use. The 'Boost' feature produces high-powered heat for a short period of time. It is perfect for stir-frying or bringing pots of water to a boil quickly. Safety features such as the light on the hot hob or automatic shutdown are also useful.

However it's not as sensitive to touch as other hobs we tested. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to six or seven for other models. It also takes longer to react when you alter the cooking temperature, meaning you might have to alter settings multiple times before your pan is at the right temperature.

The model measures 60 cm and comes with four cooking zones. One of the zones is a half-flex which allows two areas 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. Boost is ideal for frying, searing meat or bringing pans of water to a rapid boil.

It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with hundreds of recipes that include guided cooking and 30 unique programs divided into different food categories and types of preparation. It features a multislider controls panel that has a lockable interface' that can identify the type pan you are using to set the proper cooking mode. It also works with third-party hOn pan sets and comes with a variety of security features, including the control panel that can be locked and boil-dry protection.

2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob

If you're working on your kitchen or simply looking for an alternative to gas, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have plummeted over the past few years, with basic four-zone models available for less than PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that come with induction, it's worth paying extra to get the latest technology.

This sleek model from Smeg comes with the most advanced induction technology that makes cooking more efficient and convenient. The unique Auto-pot detection system automatically detects the position of pots with minimum diameters of 9cm, which allows you to switch on the appropriate zone without needing to select it manually.

Smeg's attention to energy savings does not mean that they don't offer flexibility - this hob is designed to save power by adjusting the maximum operating temperature of the zones according to your cooking preferences. There are other options to save energy by using the Eco-Logic advance mode that reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as low as 2.4 4 kW.

The user-friendly interface of this stove impressed testers, with its simple sliding controls that follow your pan's edge the edges of it. The color scheme of the control panel helps you quickly identify the operational status of each zone, while the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones together to accommodate larger pans. There are many useful functions, including four automated cooking settings: 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 food item being burned or an igniting fire. There are other safety features, such as a residual heat indicator as well as an auto switch-off if the surface becomes too hot.

It also resists tough stains, and has an anti-smudge coating called CleanProtect. The hob is simple to install and comes with nine power levels, as well as an excellent 'FlexiDuo' feature for catering for large pans. There are some additional features like lockable controls, and an emergency fuse to stop accidental pressing of buttons.

3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob

Induction hobs are powered by electricity, not gas. They use copper plates to generate a magnetic force when a pan or pot is placed on them. This means that they can reach a temperature more quickly than gas hobs. They also conserve energy since the cooking zone only gets hot when you turn on the pan. They are generally less expensive to run than gas, and they are also simpler to clean.

Indesit's induction hob is full of features that will allow you to develop your cooking ideas. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to create an Integrated Zone for larger pans as well as a rapid Booster zone to bring water to a boiling point quickly. The Push&Go feature, for instance, allows you to cook perfectly with the click of one button. Nine power modes, including a 'P boost setting that grants each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which move across the bottom of the hob to follow your pans.

The controls are simple to operate, and the minimalist design is ideal for Ovens (Qooh.Me) a modern kitchen. In our tests, it quickly heated up a pan when we placed it on the Booster Zone, and boiled pasta water. It took some time to cool down after turning off the hob, and the testers had difficulty seeing the exact temperature on the control panel.

In addition to the Dual Zone and Push&Go feature, this Indesit hob comes with a bridge function that lets you combine two cooking zones to suit larger pans. It also comes with an overheating and child lock block and an auto switch-off system that stops the appliance from working when it's overheated. Our test subjects were pleased that there were no visible flames or flammable substances and the ceramic glass was easy to clean. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room via a duct located on the surface. The duct on this hob is easy to clean, but it required two people in order to remove the filter.

4. GE Induction Hob

When choosing a new hob take a look at how it fits into your kitchen's design and layout, in addition to your cooking style and your lifestyle. For instance, if you frequently cook with children or elderly people in mind, security features like automatic shut-off and a cool to the touch surface can make an induction cooker an ideal choice. If you value speed and efficiency an electric hob; wikimapia.org, that has a clean ceramic glass facia is the best choice. Gas hobs are a great choice for those who live in areas that are susceptible to power outages.