Choosing the Best Hob

The best hob for you is determined by the type of worktop you have and the space available. The type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are also important considerations when selecting the best hob.

If you opt for a brand-name model, a basic gas-on glass hob will cost less than PS100. They are easier to clean and have a range of safety features, including an indicator in red that lights when the surface is hot.

1. Flexibility

If you're looking to whip your own quick midweek meal or perfect your pancake technique, a flexible hob is crucial. The best hobs provide precise control of heat, and come by incorporating features such as dual wok burners and an expansive cooking area, making them ideal for a wide range of recipes. They can also be used in a variety of kitchens thanks to their sleek designs and easy-to-clean surfaces. A lot of them come with the option to add an extractor fan, eliminating the necessity of separate overhead appliances, and thereby freeing up space on your workspace.

Gas hobs offer you instant heat, 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. Additionally, they often take longer to boil water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat pans rather than the surface of the cooker, which makes them less difficult to clean. They can be more expensive, and their glossy surfaces are more likely to display scratches and fingerprints.

Hybrid hobs blend gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between both modes depending on what you're cooking. They're great for people who enjoy flexing their culinary abilities but don't have the time or space for a full-on kitchen upgrade.

This electric hob is a fantastic model that allows for flexibility in style and performance. Its dual flex zones can be joined together to accommodate larger pans and pots and its controls come with the feature of a child lock which prevents children from altering the settings. And it's also designed to be connected to a smart hub, so you can manage its functions using your smartphone.

If you're looking for a high-spec induction hob that can connect to your home Wi-Fi network take a look at this model from Smeg. It has many features that make cooking more efficient and faster, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause function. It's also simple to use, with touchscreen controls that react immediately to any changes you make and a sleek modern design.

2. Energy efficiency

The most efficient hobs consume the least amount of energy when you're simmering soup or bringing water up to boil. They're also a great option for those who want to reduce their electricity bills. Induction hobs make use of electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan and prevent the glass from getting hot. This also makes them the most secure choice and prevents accidental burns. Gas hobs aren't as efficient, but they are less expensive than electric ones.

Our top pick Miele I Flex 90cm induction hob, has plenty of flexibility thanks to its 'I-Flex' zone that allows you to merge two cooking zones into one area so you can cook with big pots and pans. Its touch controls come with an infant lock, so that children can't switch off the stove or alter settings, which is a good feature for families with small kids. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish it is easy to clean using only a simple wipe.

This hob also has a 'Pan detection function' that shuts off the power to a specific cooking zone when removing a pan. This isn't the only hob to have this functionality however it's an excellent feature that makes life easier when cooking lots of meals for a family or a group of friends.

This is an intelligent stove that connects to the internet so that you can control it using an app on your smartphone. It can also notify you when your food is ready so that you do not overcook it. It took only four minutes to boil our test pan of water using this model, which is a lot for an induction stove. It has cooking zones that are flexible that can be combined and the "Stop & Go button that lowers all cooking zones to the lowest setting, making it easy to switch off.

This induction hob is portable and is compact and perfect for camping trips or taking to university. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we've tried, yet it has all of our cooking functions as well as a responsive slider. It also comes with an integrated "VaryCook" function that lets you to adjust the temperature of your pan by dragging it up and down the surface of the hob. This is ideal for making caramel sauces and sauces.

3. Convenience

When choosing a new hob you'll have to consider the way it's incorporated into the design of your kitchen and what it will do to enhance the efficiency of your home. This will help narrow down your options so that you can pick the best model for your family as well as your home. It is also advisable to read reviews to find out what others think of the appliance. This will aid in understanding its strengths and weakness.

Certain brands of hobs come with smart technology that makes them the top option for those who want to control their cooking through their smartphones. For example Samsung's models come with electronic timers that allow you to set precise cooking times and avoid overcooking. This is especially beneficial for people with hectic lives, since the timer allows you to ensure that your meals are cooked when they should be without having to monitor them constantly.

Gas hobs are a good option for those who want a more traditional feel. They can be used to cook with a wide variety of cookware sizes as well as styles. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pans and pans on gas hobs. Gas hobs are usually equipped with a variety of settings so that you can alter the temperature to fit your recipe.

Induction hobs, which are more energy-efficient than gas models and offer quicker heat-up times and are popular among those looking to modernise a kitchen. This is particularly true with induction hobs that come with an oven built in, since they can save space in your kitchen by offering an oven and hob in one unit.

Another feature to look out for is a child lock, that allows you to shut off the controls of a hob and shield children from accidents in the kitchen. This is an essential feature for families with young children, as it can help to avoid burns and other injuries. Many induction hobs also come with a feature that allows you to connect two zones together, creating an even larger cooking area. This is helpful for large pans.

4. Safety

A quality hob will include many safety features. A hot hob indicator will alert you when the surface of the hob is hot. This can prevent accidents in the cooking area. Certain hobs may also include an option for a child lock to prevent children from turning the stove on or altering the settings. Some hobs have a feature that allows you merge two cooking zones to create an additional zone, meaning you can cook a wide pan.

This is a great feature for families and will keep everyone in the kitchen safe. It works by monitoring the temperature of the hob and if it determines that the pan isn't placed properly or there's a fire it will shut off the burner automatically. This is a fantastic way to ensure your home is secure and is something you should be looking for when shopping around.

You can select between electric, gas, and induction hobs. Gas hobs utilize the use of a flame to heat your pans. Electric hobs have electronic rings that can be controlled by pressing the button. Induction hobs make use of magnets to heat your pans. They won't work without a magnetizable pan placed more info on them. This is an efficient type of hob that will cool quickly after the pan is removed.

This type of hob is a space saver as it eliminates the need for an extractor fan, which means you can have a streamlined kitchen design. It can be more expensive than other hobs however it is an excellent choice for any home. It is also able to eliminate smoke and steam from the kitchen, which will aid in improving the air quality of your home. This is a great option for families since it is easy to clean and guards against burns. There are a number of options to consider when choosing a hob, so take the time to study every one before making a decision.