Smeg Hobs Cashback

Smeg Hobs

As their tagline 'technology with style' suggests the most important aspect of Smeg products is how they look, which is unsurprising given their Italian heritage. Whilst they may be famous for their iconic retro 1950s style fridges (which even made an appearance in Wallace and Gromit as 'Smug') their range of nearly 100 different hobs is equally impressive.

Sitting at the top of the market you can expect to pay quite a high price for a Smeg hob, but you do get an appliance that is designed like no other on the market and is almost guaranteed to stand out and look great. They also have a vast range of different styles, sizes and colours so there is likely to be something for everyone. You may be able to find a less expensive hob with more or just as many features offered from another manufacturer, but a compromise will be made when it comes to aesthetics.

Aesthetic lines

Style is important for Smeg and this is evident in their use of four different 'aesthetic lines' each of which has a unique design and is available across the different energy types.

The first of these is the 'Newson' line which is available for gas or induction hobs. The former is available in a wide range of bright colours and comes with cast iron pan stands for a very distinctive retro feel. The induction hobs on the other hand are the epitome of modern style with a sleek minimalist finish, complimented nicely with the touch sensitive controls.

Secondly there is the 'Piano' line which is only available for gas hobs and features a polished stainless steel finish with uniquely styled pan rests that gives a very clinical and professional appearance.

The 'Linea' line is third which again is only available for gas hobs and offers the widest range of styles, from the ultra low profile 'gas on glass' options to the slightly more traditional white and cast iron hobs. It is in fact remarkably similar to the final 'Classic' range, although the latter focuses on the more traditional design on larger hobs.

Electric hobs

These are the most affordable of the Smeg range priced at between £100 and £150, offering the Smeg style for those with a tighter budget. Due to their more basic nature the electric hobs come with less features than the rest of the hob range, however some do include 'fast plates' which are specifically designed to heat up quicker, and all offer a variety of sizes.

Gas hobs

The second most affordable option is the gas hob although prices range from £130 right up to £600 for the more stylish 'Piano' line, and they are available with two to six rings. All Smeg gas hobs come with removable pan stands and automatic electric ignition, and some boast illuminated knobs. Aside from that they are fairly devoid of any fancy features as the focus is very much on aesthetics.

Apart from the standard black, white and stainless steel options, Smeg also produce gas hobs in a granite, polish or glass finish or there are some exuberate colours to choose from. Take for example the blue, yellow and green you probably won't find from other brands.

Ceramic hobs

Ranging from £300 to £700 the ceramic hobs are a more expensive option but their smooth surface not only makes them look good but also makes them incredibly easy to clean. Whilst they may be slightly less efficient at heating pans than their gas counterparts they do boast more features: for example each model as standard comes with a residual heat indicator which allows you to avoid accidents by alerting you when the zones are still hot, and an automatic safety cut-out.

As well as that some of the more expensive models offer 'quick start' modes which allows you to bring the hob up to heat quicker, 'dual zones' which mean that when using smaller pans you do not waste energy and the ability to use timers individually on each 'zone' (Smeg talk for 'hob'). There are also 'ultra low' functions which allow you to just slightly warm your pan and the majority of the hobs feature touch control capabilities which enhance the sleek and stylish look. Finally through a combination of a high number of single and 'dual' zones there is a wide variety of different sizes available on most of the ceramic hobs which helps to make up for their general lack in efficiency.

Induction hobs

Although the higher price tag of between £400 and £1000 is likely to dissuade many induction hobs are quicker, safer and more efficient due to the fact that they heat the pan rather than the surrounding cooking surface and they are becoming increasingly popular as the Smeg range shows. They do however require special pans to work, an extra expense worth considering.

Induction hobs boast many of the features found on some of the ceramic hobs ('touch control', 'Ultra low', 'quick start' etc) as well up to 15 power levels and a 'Child control block'. Some of the more expensive models even have a visual display which shows the power levels, residual heat and a countdown cooking timer for each of the zones.