Stop & Go settings, keep warm function and WiFi controls all add to the great features this hob provides. And if you opt for a Miele cooker hood the hob and hood will connect and talk to one other, automatically turning the cooker hood on at the optimum settings for whatever you’re cooking. However, not all induction pots are made the same because some bases comprise a number of different metals including non-ferrous aluminium and copper which also happen to be excellent heat conductors. The Bosch PUE611BF1B induction appliance is one of the hardiest hobs out there having been around for a while now without the threat of being pushed asunder by newer models. The styling certainly still looks very cool, but the hob is also great at getting on with the task in hand, as in heating up your pots and pans very rapidly.

Not only enough room on your countertop, as it’s not fun not having enough open countertop space for prep work but also a wide enough cabinet underneath. If you already have a 60 cm induction hob installed in your kitchen, you might need to buy new countertops to install a 90 cm one. You also get Miele’s TwinBooster technology meaning you can crank up the power to a huge 7.4kW to really get your water boiling fast and ready for pasta night! Induction will only work with pans that attract a magnet, so any offer of free pans with a hob can be worthwhile. However, there is a small but fairly significant caveat that should be considered before jumping on the induction bandwagon: induction only works with ferrous metals like steel and cast iron, and chances are at least some of your current cookware is of the wrong variety, so you'll need to replace them.

What to Keep in Mind When Buying a FlexInduction Hob

So be prepared for the possibility of needing to kit yourself out with a new set of pans if you invest in a FlexInduction hob. The pans that will work are:

All three zones benefit from power boost settings and are controlled using Smegs minimal touch slider design. It also has a clever Eco-Off setting, where the cooking zone shuts down a little bit before the timer sounds, making use of the residual heat and saving that little bit of energy. With a frameless glass surface and a bevelled front edge, it definitely looks rather good, and comes with a fair amount of control options; there are fifteen power levels for each of the four main cooking areas, offering more control than the more standard issue nine levels. Those are good –often very good –but in my experience, pans made entirely from stainless steel or cast iron are the best types of cookware for induction hobs.You can position them where you like, the hob 'burner' size is less important and they're less hassle all round. Some induction hobs draw up to 7.4kw of current and that means having a separate ring main fitted if your current setup is, like many older kitchens, just a standard 13 amp cooker plug.Boy, did I find that out the hard way. This sleek and stylish bevelled-edge panoramic induction hob from Smeg is a great budget to mid-range option.No product is perfect, and despite induction hobs being modern and high-tech, they come with various niggles, regardless of the brand. They also take some getting used to; particularly if you’ve never used one before and you’re used to gas or standard electric cookers. The AEG IAE84851FB is a hob that offers some especially clever cooking modes, and a whole lot of versatility.

Ease of use: We looked for practical, straightforward and intuitive hobs. Any elements that felt overcomplicated or in any way confusing meant the hob was marked down. After all, induction hobs are expensive and so choosing the perfect one for your needs is really important. If you also have an electric oven on the same ring, you may in fact need an even higher rated cable.Bear this in mind because it’s the single most important consideration when purchasing any electrical cooking appliance.You could spend thousands on a hob with all of the features in the world, but if you aren’t going to use them, is there any point?