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It is often said that a kitchen is where the magic takes place. Food preparation is an essential part of everyday life and becomes even more enjoyable when food is cooked to perfection. While you may have the necessary culinary skills, kitchen appliances also play a crucial role in how the food turns out. One such appliance is a kitchen hob. Installed on the countertop of your kitchen and spotted in most modern kitchens, kitchen hobs can make or break a meal.
In addition to the utility that kitchen hobs offer, they also add to the aesthetic of your kitchen. They come in various shapes and sizes and are equipped with numerous features. Before taking a look at the 11 best kitchen hobs in India, look at the 2 types of hobs available for purchase.
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Types Of Kitchen Hobs
- Gas Hobs
Gas hobs are those connected to gas cylinders and rely upon gas to fuel the fire. They come with either manual ignition or automatic ignition systems and offer several advantages, especially when cooking Indian food. Gas hob tops are well known for controlling heat and are more responsive when compared to electric hobs.
- Electric Hobs
Unlike gas hob, electric hob tops do not require an active gas connection. They rely upon a heating element that is carefully positioned under the ceramic glass. The top layered glass is often strong and made from ceramic as it has to withstand heat regularly and for a prolonged period. The good thing about electric hob tops is that they can be used for cooking and baking. When it comes to electric hobs, there are 3-different ones to choose from. They are induction, solid plate, and ceramic.
11 Best Kitchen Hobs In India
1. Prestige PHTS 03 Hob Top
This hob top by prestige is a blend of elegance and durability. The dual-tone glass top is made out of toughened Schott glass to make it scratch-free and resistant to cracks. The stove hob top has cast iron pan support to ensure the best stability for utensils. To offer you the best performance, the company has used Sabaf burners. These burners are known for providing uniform heating while consuming less gas. The hob top consists of three easy-to-use dials with controls for high and low flames.
Pros:
- Convertible design
- 1-touch auto ignition
- Ultra-slim body
- 3-burner design
Cons:
- The glass top might overheat from time to time.
2. iBELL 590GH Hob 4-Burner Gas Stove
The iBELL Hob stove is ingeniously designed with the burners placed at a safe distance from each other. The glass top of the cooking stove is scratch-resistant and can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth. The 4-burner design allows users to cook up to 4 dishes at the same time. The pan support provides a balance to utensils, ensuring that they don’t tip over. The burners of this hob top are optimized to consume less gas while cooking. The 4-ergonomic knobs allow for users to switch between high, low, and off state. What’s more, the stylish black and silver look will add class to almost any kitchen.
Pros:
- User-friendly operation
- Heat-resistant body
- Strong and toughened glass
- Auto ignitor
Cons:
- Burners may make a sound when they go off
3. Faber Hob Top with Black Glass
This 3-brass burner stove with a built-in hob is ideal for a family of 3 or 4. The black glass top is reflective and adds a flair of class to it. The glass edges are curved and well-protected to minimize accidents and cracks. To ensure that utensils stay well balanced, the company has used cast iron pan support on all 3-burners. The high-quality knobs are easy to turn and are responsive. The space between each burner is sufficient for large utensils to sit on all 3 burners simultaneously. Furthermore, given the materials it is constructed from, the hob top is easy to clean.
Pros:
- Rustproof
- Heat-resistant knobs
- Toughened glass
- Auto ignitor
Cons:
- Gaskets might be a little loose
4. Bosch Built-In Gas Hob
Choosing the right hob can always be tricky. However, the Bosch hob top makes the decision easy for you with its 4-burner capacity. The stove houses a WOK burner at the front left side of 3.3 KW and a standard burner at the rear left side of 1.7 KW. At maximum power, the hob top consumes 1,700 W. Each burner has well-fitted pan support to ensure that balance is maintained while stirring the pot or pan. Much of its popularity arises from its compact size, making it an easy fit even in small kitchens.
Pros:
- Side-mounted controls
- Smooth round edges
- Reflective glass top
- Single-handed ignition
Cons:
- The lack of a nozzle may make it difficult to connect the gas cylinder hose.
5. Whirlpool Hob 4 Burner Gas Stove
This Whirlpool gas stove with a built-in hob is just what your kitchen needs. Each burner is constructed from brass and is paired with cast iron grids. This ensures additional balance to pots and pans, making cooking a lot less stressful. These high-efficiency multi-ring burners offer high-efficiency flame levels with the ability to switch between high and low flames. This is beneficial as it caters to Indian cooking needs. This 4-burner hob consists of 2-small burners and 2-medium burners.
Pros:
- Auto ignitor
- Hybrid design
- Heat-resistant knobs
- Toughened glass top
Cons:
- The steel stand might be a little slippery.
6. Elica Hob 4-Burner Gas Stove
This built-in hob by Elica bears a touch of elegance with its premium glass finish and all-back design. The stove is equipped with 2-double rings, 1-dual ring, and 1-mini triple ring burner. The cast iron round grid with enameling supports pots and pans when placed on the burners. The auto-ignition is a neat feature as it saves time and protects against accidents that occur when manually lighting a stove. The 4-metallic knobs are placed at the bottom right side of the stove and are easily accessible while cooking. The metallic knobs ensure friction-less rotation when adjusting the level of flame. The company slaps a 5-year warranty on this hob top.
Pros:
- Rust-resistant
- Multi-flame controlling
- Stylish design
- Toughened glass
Cons:
- Burners maybe a little too close to each other
7. Glen 1074 SQ Burner With Glass Top
One glance at this beauty from Glen, and its sleek and slender looks become apparent. The 4-brass burners have a double ring flame that is especially required for Indian-type cooking. The pan support is coated with vitreous enamel to give added stability to utensils. Controlling the 4-burners are 4-easy-to-turn and easily accessible knobs. This hob top by Glen is well color-coordinated, with the top glass matching the pan support and the silver tray matching the knobs.
Pros:
- 8 mm toughened glass top
- Matte steel dip tray
- Italian gas valve
- Multi-spark ignition
Cons:
- The burner may start roaring from time to time.
8. Hindware Ensemble Elisa Glass Top
Your food may only taste as good as the stove used to cook it. This is because it is important to have the right kind of food when cooking. This 3-burner gas stove by Hindware consists of 1 large burner, 1-medium size burner, and 1-small burner. All the burners can be used simultaneously to help cook your launch or dinner faster. The built-in hob allows users the choice of using this gas stove as a hob top. The nobs are strategically placed at the bottom and away from the flame of the fire.
Pros:
- Auto-ignition
- Toughened glass top
- Enamel coated dip trays
- Brass burners
Cons:
- The battery might need to be frequently changed.
9. Kaff HBR 603 Brass Burner Hob
When it comes to class and looks, this hob top by Kaff earns a notable mention on our list of the best kitchen hobs in India. The stove consists of 3 brass burners, with 1 being a triple ring and the other 2 being dual rings. To ensure durability, the company has used an 8 mm toughened glass that is resistant to heat. The stove boasts heavy-duty pan support, being able to support heavy and large cooking vessels. Last but not least, the knobs are easy to use and turn with minimal effort.
Pros:
- Auto electric ignition
- Easy-grip knobs
- Enameled matte finish
- Compact design
Cons:
- The glass top may get too hot at times.
10. Wonderchef Octavia 4 Burner Hob Top
This burner hob by Wonderchef will work wonders in your kitchen. Thanks to its heat-efficient forged brass burners, heat is equally distributed when cooking. This allows the burners to retain heat and aid in the process of cooking. The smart lock pan feature on this model bids farewell to wobbling utensils as it offers support for all types of utensils. One noteworthy feature of this gas stove is the placement of the four burners. They are placed quite far apart, allowing large utensils to be placed on each burner. The ergonomically designed knobs are easy to turn and control the level of the flame. What seals the deal for this hob top is the presence of anti-skid and heat-resistant legs.
Pros:
- Super-sleek look
- Stainless steel spill tray
- 8 mm thickened glass top
- Cast aluminum mixing tube
Cons:
- Black paint from the edges may peel off after prolonged usage
11. Sunflame Glass Hob Top Cum Stove
The Sunflame cooking hob has a four-burner design, with a super burner, one big burner, and two small burners. The burners have been particularly designed for Indian cooking. This ensures that the burners give the right amount of flame needed to cook Indian food. The elegantly designed control knobs are located on the right side of the gas stove. The knobs are soft and smooth, making it easy for users to operate. This model boasts an auto-ignition knob and shatterproof glass.
Pros:
- Strong pan support
- Stainless steel drip trays
- Vitreous enameled skirting
- Stylish and sleek look
Cons:
- Might not be very fuel-efficient
How To Choose The Right Kitchen Hobs In India?
Here are a few factors you may consider to find the right kitchen hobs.
- Number of burners:
One of the most important factors to consider when buying a gas stove is the number of burners. The number of burners required is directly related to the number of members in the family. For reference, a 4-burner stove is suitable for a large family of 5 members or so, while a 3-burner stove fits a family of 3 or 4. In this manner, 2-burner stoves are best suited for couples or individuals.
- Type of ignition:
There are 2-types of ignition, automatic and manual. Hob tops with manual ignition systems require users to use a matchstick or a gas lighter to start a fire. However, with automatic ignition, a turn of the knob is all that is needed. The main difference between the two boils down to the amount of effort involved. It becomes more tiring and time-consuming working with a manual ignition system than with an automatic ignition system.
- Hob top size:
This is a crucial factor when purchasing a hob top or stove. This is because most modern kitchens are compact and have a space-saving design. It is necessary to check the size of the hob top and measure your kitchen countertop before purchasing one.
- Material:
Simply put, the better the quality of the hob top, the longer it will last. The quality of a hob top is measured not only by its features but also by the material used to construct it. It is crucial to purchase one with toughened and scratch-resistant glass as glass tops are known to crack. 8mm toughened glass seems to be a yardstick when it comes to hob tops. Another factor to consider is that the burners are made of brass. Brass burners are resistant to high temperatures and help in uniformly distributing the what.
- Burner space
The space between the burners is something that most people tend to overlook. It is significant because it will determine whether or not all burners can be used simultaneously. Large utensils like cookers take up a lot of space and might interfere with the next burner if it isn’t spaced out too well. So if you intend on using all the burners simultaneously, it is vital to purchase a hob top in which the burners are spaced out.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is auto-ignition necessary for hobs?
While auto-ignition isn’t a necessity for hob tops, most hob tops come with auto-ignition. The only requirement for auto-ignition is the presence of electricity. Since hob tops are usually expensive and come with a wide array of features, they do have auto-ignition.
2. What is the difference between a hob and a stove?
A hob is much like a stove but with one main difference. It is designed to be fitted on the kitchen countertop rather than being placed on the countertop like a stove. Apart from this, there are no other differences.
Kitchen hobs can transform your kitchen decor while improving your efficiency and performance in the kitchen. The options included in our list of the best kitchen hobs are elegantly constructed and come with reflective glass tops that are stylish and sophisticated. Since they are available in different sizes, you won’t have to worry about the amount of countertop space in your kitchen. However, since it is installed on the countertop of your kitchen, removing it may not be desirable. So, you should purchase a feature-filled cooking hob on the first go by considering the quality, durability, and other features you’ve been looking for to suit your needs. So, whip up new dishes for your family effortlessly with a kitchen hob that can make cooking easier.
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