Choosing the Best Hob

The best hob to choose depends on your preferences for cooking and the space available. Choosing the right type of hob requires a look at the type of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.

If you choose an own-brand model, the basic gas-on glass stove will cost less than PS100. They're easier to clean and have various safety features like an indicator in red that lights when the surface is hot.

1. Flexibility

A flexible hob will aid you in reaching your goals, whether that's perfecting your pancake technique or making a quick meal for midweek. The best hobs give you precise control of heat, and come with features such as dual wok burners as well as an expansive cooking area which makes them perfect for a wide range of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy-to clean surfaces. A lot of them come with the option to have an extractor fan, eliminating the need for separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space for your work area.

Gas hobs offer you instant heating, so it's no surprise that they are a popular choice. Gas hobs require regular cleaning in order to prevent carbon build-up and fires. Plus, they can often take longer to boil water than induction models.

Induction hobs are able to heat pans more than the surface of the cooker, which makes them easier to clean. However, they can be more expensive than gas hobs, while their glossy surfaces can expose fingerprints and scratches more easily.

Hybrid hobs integrate gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between the two modes based on what you're cooking. They are great for those who want to expand their culinary skills but don't have the space or time to invest in a complete kitchen overhaul.

This electric hob is a fantastic example of a product that allows for flexibility in style and functionality. Its dual flex zone can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls come with an option for locking children that stops children from changing the settings. It's also designed to be connected to a smart hub so that you can manage the features via your smartphone.

Smeg's induction cooktop is a top-quality model that can be connected to your home Wi-Fi network. It's loaded with features that facilitate cooking faster and more easily such as automatic pan detection and PowerBoost as well as an alarm clock and an option to pause. It's also super-easy to use, with touchscreen controls that respond instantly to changes in the recipe and a sleek design that would be perfect for the modern kitchen.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs consume the least amount of energy when you're cooking soup or bringing water to a boiling point. This means that they're ideal for those who want to cut down on their energy bills. Induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan which prevents the glass from getting hot. Induction hobs and ovens are a safer choice, as they prevent accidental burns. Gas hobs aren't as efficient but they are less expensive than electric models.

Our top choice, the Miele I-Flex 90cm induction stove, offers plenty of flexibility because of its 'I-Flex' zone that lets you merge two cooking zones into one large space, allowing you to cook with large pots and pans. Its touch controls come with a child lock to ensure that children aren't able to turn off the appliance or alter settings it is a useful option for households with young children. Ceramic glass is matte however, it can be easily cleaned by a simple wipe.

Another great feature of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which automatically switches off the cooking zone's power when you take your pan off. It's not the only hob to have this functionality however it's a fantastic feature that makes life easier when cooking a lot of meals for your family or a group of friends.

This is a smart hob, which connects to the internet to allow you to control it using an app on your tablet or smartphone. It will even notify you when food is ready, so you do not overcook it. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in only four minutes, which is extremely rapid for an induction hob. It comes with flexible cooking zones that you can mix and a "Stop & Go' button that reduces all cooking zones to the lowest setting making it easy to switch off.

This small induction hob is perfect for camping trips and taking to university. It's the thinnest and lightest hob we tested however it still comes with an extensive set of cooking functions and a responsive touch slider. It also has an integrated 'VaryCook' feature which lets you alter the temperature by moving the pan upwards and downwards on the surface of the hob, which is ideal for making caramel sauces or sauces.

3. Convenience

When choosing a new hob you should think about how it fits with your kitchen's design and how it can do to improve the utility of your home. This will help you narrow your choices and choose the one that is best for your family, you and your home. It's important to read reviews to learn what other users have to say about the appliance. it will help you understand its strengths and weaknesses.

Certain brands of hobs are known for their innovative technology, making them the ideal choice for those who want to control cooking with their smartphone. Samsung's models, for example, have electronic timers which allow you to set precise times and avoid overcooking. This is especially useful for those who lead hectic lives, since the timer will ensure that your meals are cooked at the time they should be without having to monitor them constantly.

Gas hobs are an ideal choice for those looking for more traditional appearance. They can be used to cook using a wide variety of cookware sizes as well as styles. This includes non-flat-bottomed cookware and pans that can be difficult to fit on other hobs. In addition, gas hobs usually provide a range of settings, meaning you can adjust the heat to fit your recipe or pan type.

Induction hobs are yet another popular choice for those who are looking to modernise their kitchen because they offer faster heat-up times and are more energy efficient than gas models. Hobs that have built-in ovens and hobs are very popular because they save space by mixing the oven and hob into one unit.

Another feature to look out for is a child lock that allows you to shut off the controls on a hob and protect children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This is a crucial feature for those with young children, since it can aid in avoiding burns and other injuries. Induction hobs often have a feature that allows the linking of two zones, creating more cooking space. This is helpful when you cook with large pans.

4. Safety

A good hob will have a number of safety features. They will have an indicator for the hot surface of the hob that warns you when the surface is heated and can stop kitchen accidents. Some hobs have locks for children to stop children from turning on the hob or altering the settings. Some models will come with a function that lets you combine two cooking zones into a single zone to allow you to cook in a larger pan.

This is an excellent feature for families, and can keep everyone in the kitchen secure. It works by monitoring the heat of the stove. If it finds that the pan has not been properly placed or if there's a fire on the hob, it will automatically stop the burner. It's a great way to ensure your home is safe and you should take it into consideration when you are shopping.

You can choose between electric, gas, and induction hobs. Gas hobs use the use of a flame to heat your pans, while an electric hob comes with electric rings that you can control by pressing one button. Then there's the induction hob which uses an electric field to heat your pans and will not start unless you place a magnetizable pan on it. This is a very efficient hob and it will cool down quickly after the pan has been removed.

This kind of hob can be an efficient space-saver since it removes the need for an extractor fan, so you can have a streamlined kitchen design. It's more expensive than other kinds of hobs, but it's a great option for any family. It is also able to remove excessive smoke and steam from the kitchen, which will aid in improving the air quality in your home. This is an excellent choice for families since it is easy to clean and shields against burns. There are a number of options to consider when choosing a hob, so be sure to take the time to research each one prior to making a decision.