Choosing the Best Hob

The best hob for you depends on the type of worktop you have and the space available. The selection of the best hob requires a look at the kind of worktop you have as well as the location of your extractor hood.

If you select an own-brand model, the basic gas-on glass stove will cost less than PS100. They are easier to clean, and include a variety of safety features such as the red indicator that lights when they are hot.

1. Flexibility

If you're looking to whip up a quick midweek meal or perfect your pancake technique, a movable hob is essential. The best hobs provide precise control of heat, and come with features such as dual wok burners as well as an enormous cooking space, making them ideal for a wide range of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen, thanks to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. Many of them have the option to add an extractor fan built-in to eliminate the requirement for separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space for your workspace.

Gas hobs provide instant heat, so it's no surprise that they're an extremely popular choice. But they require regular cleaning to ensure that you aren't at risk of carbon build-up on your stove or a fire breaking out. Plus, they take longer to heat water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the cooker surface, so they are generally cleaner to maintain. They are more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display scratches and fingerprints.

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

This electric hob is a fantastic example of a model which allows for flexibility in style and functionality. The dual flex zone can be joined to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls feature an option for locking children which prevents children from altering 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 hob is a top-quality model that can be connected to your Wi-Fi network. It comes with a variety of features that make cooking easier and faster, such as automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause feature. It's also simple to use, with touchscreen controls that react immediately to changes you make and sleek modern design.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs use the minimal amount of energy regardless of whether you're boiling water or simmering soup. This means they're an excellent choice for those who want to cut their energy bills. Induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to heat the pan directly, preventing the glass from heating up. This also makes them the most secure choice, preventing accidental burns. But while gas hobs aren't as efficient, they tend to be more affordable to run than electric ones.

The Miele I-Flex induction hob is our top choice. It offers a lot of flexibility due to the 'I Flex zone. This allows you to join two cooking zones together into one big area which allows you to use large saucepans and pots. Its touch controls have an infant lock, to ensure that children cannot turn off the appliance or alter the settings it is a useful feature for households with small kids. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish, it is easy to clean using just a wipe.

This hob also has an "Pan detection function" that shuts off the power to a specific cooking zone when removing the pan. It's not the only one with this feature however it's a fantastic addition that makes your life easier when you're cooking a lot of meals for a family or group of friends.

This is a smart hob, which connects to the internet so that you can manage it through an app on your tablet or smartphone. It will notify you when food is ready, so you don't overcook it. This model boiled our test pan of hot water in just four minutes, which is incredibly quick for an Induction stove. It comes with flexible zones that you can combine, and a Stop & go' button which reduces all cooking zones to their lowest setting.

This induction hob is portable and has a slim design that's ideal for camping or taking to uni. It's the thinnest and lightest hob we tested, but it still comes with all of our cooking features and a responsive slider. It also has an integrated 'VaryCook' feature that lets you alter the temperature by moving your pan up and down the hob's surface, which is ideal for making sauces or caramel.

3. Convenience

You'll want to consider how the stove can fit into your kitchen and what it can contribute to improving the functionality of your home. This will help narrow down the options so that you can select one that is suitable for your family and home. It is also advisable to read reviews to find out what other people's opinions are about the appliance. This can help you better understand its strengths and weakness.

Some hob brands are renowned for their smart technology, which makes them the go-to option for those who prefer to control their cooking using their smartphone. For instance Samsung's models come with electronic timers that allow you to determine precise cooking times and avoid overcooking. This is especially useful for people who have hectic lives, since the timer lets you ensure that your meals are ready at the time they should be without having to constantly monitor them.

Gas hobs are a great option for those best ovens and hobs who prefer a traditional feel, as they can be used with a range of cookware styles and sizes. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pans and saucepans on gas stoves. Gas hobs are often equipped with a variety of settings, so that you can alter the temperature to fit your cooking.

Induction hobs are more energy efficient than gas models and provide faster heating times, are also an option for those looking to modernise a kitchen. Hobs that have built-in ovens are particularly popular due to the fact that they can save space by condensing the oven and the hob into one.

A child lock is a different feature to be on the lookout for. It allows you to stop the stove's controls and protects children from kitchen accidents. This is particularly important for families with young children since it can help avoid burns and other injuries. Additionally there are many induction hobs that have the ability to connect two zones to create a larger cooking area This can be helpful if you're using large pans.

4. Safety

A good hob has a number safety features. A hot hob indicator can alert you when the surface of the hob is hot. This will help avoid accidents in the cooking area. Some hobs come with locks for children to stop children from turning on the stove or altering settings. Some will have a function that allows you to combine two cooking zones into one larger zone, allowing you to cook in a larger pan.

This is a great feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is safe. It operates by monitoring the heat of the stove. If it finds that the pan hasn't been placed correctly, or if there is a fire on the hob, it will automatically shut off the burner. This is a great method to ensure that your home is safe and it's something that you should consider when shopping for a new stove.

You can select between electric, gas and induction hobs. Gas hobs utilize a flame for heating your pans. Electric hobs have electronic rings that you can control by pressing a button. There is also the induction hob which uses magnets to heat your pans. It will not turn on until you place a magnetizable metal pan on top of it. It is a very efficient type of hob and it will cool down quickly when the pan is removed.

This kind of hob is an efficient space-saver since it eliminates the need for an extractor fan, so you can have a streamlined kitchen design. It is more expensive than other kinds of hobs, but it's a great option for any family. It can be used to eliminate excess smoke and steam from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality at home. This is a fantastic choice for families since it is easy to clean and protects against burns. When choosing a hob there are a lot of options to consider. Make sure to research them all prior to making your choice.