The Best Hob Awards: The Best, Worst, And Most Bizarre Things We've Seen

Choosing the best hobs uk Hob

Choosing the best hob depends on your preferences for cooking and available space. The type of worktop you choose and the location of the extractor hood are also important aspects to consider when deciding on the right hob.

If you select an own-brand model, the basic gas-on glass stove will cost less than PS100. They are less difficult to clean and come with a variety of safety features, including a red indicator which glows when they are hot.

1. Flexibility

A versatile hob can assist you in achieving your goals, whether that's improving your pancake making technique or cooking a quick meal for midweek. The best hobs give you precise temperature control, with features such as dual wok burners as well as a large cooking area making them ideal for a variety of recipes. They can be used in any kitchen due to their sleek design and easy to clean surfaces. Plus, many come with the option of adding an extractor fan built-in, eliminating the need for an additional overhead appliance and freeing up space on your worktop.

Gas hobs can provide instant heat. It's no wonder they are popular. Gas hobs require frequent cleaning to prevent carbon build-up and fires. Plus, they can often take longer to boil water than induction models.

Induction hobs heat the pan rather than the surface of the cooker which makes them more easy to clean. However, they are more expensive than gas hobs, while their glossy surfaces can reveal fingerprints and scratches more easily.

Hybrid hobs integrate gas and induction cooking into one product. You can switch between both modes based on what you're cooking. These are great for those looking to test their culinary skills but do not want to make a major investment in their kitchen.

This electric hob is an excellent example of a model that offers flexibility in both style and functionality. Its dual flex zone can be joined together to accommodate larger pots and pans and its controls feature an option for locking children that prevents children from changing the settings. And it's also designed to be connected to a smart hub, which allows you to manage its functions using your smartphone.

If you're looking for a high-spec induction hob that can connect to the Wi-Fi network in your home, look no further than this model from Smeg. It comes with a variety of features that make cooking more efficient and faster, including automatic pan detection, PowerBoost, a timer and a pause function. It's also super-easy to use, with touch controls that react immediately to changes in the recipe ovens and hobs a sleek design that would be perfect for a modern kitchen.

2. Energy efficiency

The best hobs use as little energy as possible regardless of whether you're cooking soup or bringing water up to boil. This means that they're a great option for people who are looking to reduce their electricity costs. Induction hobs utilize electromagnetic fields to directly heat the pan which prevents the glass from getting hot. Induction hobs are the most secure option, since they avoid accidental burns. Although gas hobs may not be as efficient, they tend to be more affordable to run than electric ones.

The Miele I Flex induction hob and oven is our top pick. It offers a great deal of flexibility because of the 'I Flex zone. It allows you to combine two cooking zones together into one big area making it possible to use larger saucepans and pots. The child lock on the touch controls blocks children from turning the hob or altering settings. This is an excellent feature for families with children. Even though the ceramic glass has a matte finish it's easy to clean with just a wipe.

Another impressive feature of this hob is its 'Pan detection' function, which automatically switches off the cooking zone's power when you take your pan off. This isn't the only hob that has this feature, but it's a great feature that makes life easier when you cook lots of meals for your family or group of friends.

This is a smart hob that connects to the internet, allowing you to control it using an app on your smartphone or tablet. It will alert you when food is ready to cook so you don't overcook it. This model was able to boil our test pan of hot water in only four minutes, which is extremely rapid for an induction hob. It has zones that you can combine, and a Stop & go' button that reduces the cooking zones to the lowest setting.

This portable induction hob has a compact design that's ideal for camping trips or taking to uni. It's the tiniest and lightest hob we've tested, but still has a full set of cooking functions and a responsive touch slider. It also has an inbuilt "VaryCook" function that lets you to alter the temperature of your pan by moving it up and down on the surface of the hob. This is great to make caramel and sauces.

3. Convenience

When choosing a new hob you'll have to consider how it fits with your kitchen design and what it will add to the utility of your home. This will help narrow down your options to help you select a model that's ideal for your family and property. It's important to read reviews and see what other people have had to say about the appliance, as this can help you to identify its strengths and weaknesses.

Some hob brands are renowned for their innovative technology, making them the top choice for those who prefer to control their cooking via their mobile. For instance Samsung's models have electronic timers that allow you to determine precise cooking times and prevent overcooking. This is particularly beneficial for those with busy lifestyles because you can use the timer to make sure that meals are ready on time, without having to keep an watch over them.

Gas hobs are also a good option for those looking for an old-fashioned look, since they can be used with a range of cookware designs and sizes. It is possible to use non-flat bottomed pots and saucepans on gas stoves. Plus, gas hobs often provide a range of settings, so you can alter the temperature to suit the pan you are using or your recipe.

Induction hobs are yet another popular choice for those looking to modernize their kitchens, as they provide quicker heat-up times and are more efficient in energy use than gas models. This is particularly true with induction hobs that come with an oven built in, since they can save space in your kitchen by providing you with an oven and a hob in one unit.

Another feature to look for is a child lock which allows you to block the controls on a hob and protect children from accidental accidents in the kitchen. This feature is crucial for families with young children as it can prevent burns and other injuries. Induction hobs often have a feature that allows the linking of two zones together, creating an even larger cooking area. This is helpful when you cook with large pans.

4. Safety

A good hob will have a number of safety features. A hot hob indicator will inform you when the surface of the hob is hot. This can help prevent accidents in the cooking area. Certain hobs feature a child lock to prevent children from turning on the hob or changing settings. Some hobs have an option to join two cooking zones to create an even larger area, so you can cook a wide pan.

This is a great feature for families, and can ensure that everyone in the kitchen is secure. It operates by monitoring the temperature of the hob. If it determines that the pan hasn't been positioned correctly, or if there is an fire on the hob, it will automatically shut off the burner. This is a fantastic way to ensure your home is safe and it's something that you should be looking for when you are shopping around.

You can pick between gas, electric, and induction hobs. A gas hob uses a flame to heat your pans while an electric hob comes with electric rings that you are able to control by pressing a button. Induction hobs use an electric field to heat your pans. They won't function unless a magnetizable pan is placed on them. This is a reliable type of hob that will cool quickly after the pan has been removed.

This kind of hob can save space since it doesn't require an extractor fan. It is therefore possible to have a a more streamlined kitchen design. It is more expensive than other types of hobs but it is a fantastic choice for any home. It can be used to remove excessive steam and smoke from the kitchen. This can improve the air quality at the home. This is a fantastic option for families because it will protect you from burns and is easy to clean. When choosing a hob uk there are many options to consider. Make sure to research them all prior to making a decision.