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How to Choose the Best Hob When selecting the ideal hob to buy there are a variety of factors to consider. From cost to energy efficiency. Determine which features are the most important. A basic electric ceramic stove can cost as low as PS100 however, you'll have to shell out more to get a high-end model. Gas hobs are another popular choice and provide great temperature control, but they're more expensive. 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 one of the fastest ways to boil water in our tests, taking just four minutes. It's child lock-compatible and features an pause feature, meaning you can quickly stop the process without having to mess around with the controls. Its style is sleek and modern and blends well with contemporary kitchens. It's typically made of glass (shatterproof and heatproof) or ceramic, and has touch controls that sit flush with the worktop for easy use. The controls were simple to operate and we appreciated the display that displays the current power level and which zone is active. The 'Boost' feature creates high-powered heat for just a short duration, and is ideal for stir-frying, or bringing pans of boiling water to a boil quickly. Safety features such as the hot hob light and automatic shutoff are useful. It's not as responsive as other hobs in this test. It took nine presses to reach the maximum temperature, compared to seven or six for other models. It takes a bit longer for the pan to respond to changes in temperature. It is possible to adjust the settings several times to achieve the correct heat. This model is 60cm long and includes four cooking zones, including a half-flex area where two zones can be joined to accommodate larger pots and pans. It has dual-ring design and can function on both 'normal as well as 'boost power levels. It is great for cooking meat, searing it or quickly making water come to a quick boil. It's fully integrated with the hOn app and comes with 100's of recipes, with guided cooking and 30 special programs that are divided into various food categories and preparation styles. It features a multislider controls panel with a “lockable interface' that detects the type of pan you're using to set the correct cooking mode. It's also compatible with hOn pans from third parties and has a number of safety features like a lockable panel as well as boil-dry prevention. 2. Smeg I-Flex Induction Hob If you're working in your kitchen, or looking for an alternative to gas induction hobs, induction hobs are becoming more popular. Prices have dropped dramatically in the last few years. The basic four-zone models can be found for less that PS100. However, if you're looking for all the bells and whistles that are included in the induction system it's worth the extra cost for the most up-to-date technology. This sleek-looking model from Smeg comes with the most modern induction technology that makes your cooking energy efficient and convenient. The Auto-pot detection system recognizes pots that have an overall diameter of at least 9cm and then automatically will activate the zone that is appropriate. Smeg's primary focus is on energy savings however, it doesn't overlook flexibility – this hob can be adjusted to conserve energy based on the maximum operating temperatures of the zones. There are also options to save even more energy with the Eco-Logic advance mode, which reduces the power output from 11.1 kW to as little as 2.4 4 kW. The user-friendly interface of this cooker was a hit with testers, thanks to its intuitive sliding controls that follow your pan's contours along the edge of it. The color scheme of the control panel lets you quickly see the status of each zone, and the 'Flexi Duo' feature allows you to connect two zones to accommodate larger pans. There are a variety of useful functions, including four automated cooking presets: melting boiling, slow-cooking, and keeping warm. Additionally the hob comes with a 'FlameSensor' that warns you when there is a risk of a fire or burnt-on food. There are several safety features like the residual heat sensor, as well as an automatic switch-off when the surface becomes too hot. It also resists hard stains and comes with a CleanProtect protective coating. This hob has nine power levels, the FlexiDuo feature to accommodate large pans and is simple to set up. There are also a variety of bonus features, like locking controls and a safety fuse in the event of accidental button-pushing. 3. Indesit I-Flex Induction Hob Induction hobs are powered by electricity and not gas. They make use of copper plates to create an electric force when a pot or pan is placed on them. This means they can reach temperatures more quickly than gas hobs and also conserve energy since the cooking area only gets hot when you turn on a pan. They're generally less expensive than gas, and they're easier to clean, which makes them a popular choice. Indesit's induction stove is packed full of features to help you develop your cooking ideas. It has two separate cooking zones that can be combined to form a Dual Zone for larger pans as well as the Booster Zone is quick to bring water to the boiling point quickly. Push&Go, for example, allows you to cook perfectly with the click of a button. There are nine power modes that include a 'P boost setting that gives each zone maximum power for 5 minutes, can be easily set using the controls, which move along the bottom edge of the hob to track your pans. The controls are easy to operate, and the minimalist design is ideal for modern kitchens. In our tests, it swiftly heated up a pan after we placed it on the Booster Zone and boiling pasta water. It took a while to cool down after we turned off the hob, and our testers could not determine the exact temperature on the control panel. As well as a Dual Zone and Push&Go, the Indesit hob has a useful bridge function that allows you to combine two cooking zones to accommodate larger pans. It comes with a child lock, an overheating block and an automatic shut-off mechanism that prevents the oven from operating when it becomes too hot. The ceramic glass is simple to clean and has no flames visible. Our testers liked the fact that it's. Ventilated hobs in contrast to traditional extractors draw steam and smoke from the pan and out of the room through an air duct that is located on the surface. The vent on this hob was easy to clean, however it required two people to remove the filter. 4. Ovens & Hobs from General Electric Consider how the hob can fit into the layout and design of your kitchen as well as what your cooking style. For example, if you often cook with small children or elderly people in mind, safety features like an automatic shut-off feature and a cool to the touch surface may make an induction stove the best choice. If you value speed and efficiency, an electric hob with a glass face that is wipe-clean is the best choice. For those who live in areas prone to load-shedding, the ability to use gas hobs in power outages could tilt the balance in favor of a gas model.