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Nestled amongst black glass ceramic hobs which was my other alternative, was a shiny stainless steel hob which would have been my first choice and I thought after seeing it that the name "Whirlpool" would have a pricetag that would be excessive. I have always associated Whirlpool with expensive, ... Read review
Advantages: EASY TO CLEAN. BRIGHT SHINY. Disadvantages: None so far.
...excessive. I have always associated Whirlpool with expensive, although in this instance I was wrong.
When I asked the assistant the price, I was amazed that is was in fact just over £100 as opposed to the £150 I had put aside which was a delight.
The hob comes in two colours, i.e. white or stainless steel although for me the brushed stainless steel was the only option that was suitable for my new granite worktops. The ... ...at £126 at Comet, this Whirlpool hob is easily as good as other makes which would have set me back £200 and which I would have chosen, but for the price. I was amazed that it was so cheap and am still amazed that I could have afforded it, and since buying it, have been back to the original shop to see the other stainless steel ones, and am glad I bought the Whirlpool one, as the others were not of the same calibre.
I was searching for a hob for my new kitchen and had almost setttled for something that I was not completely happy with, simply because of price, when I gave the last shop in our area a chance to shine, and indeed they did.
Nestled amongst black glass ceramic hobs which was my other alternative, was a shiny stainless steel hob which would have been my first choice and I thought after seeing it that the name "Whirlpool" would have a pricetag that would be excessive. I have always associated Whirlpool with expensive, although in this instance I was wrong.
When I asked the assistant the price, I was amazed that is was in fact just over £100 as opposed to the £150 I had put aside which was a delight.
The hob comes in two colours, i.e. white or stainless steel although for me the brushed stainless steel was the only option that was suitable for my new granite worktops. The measurement was perfect at 58 cm and actually measurements for a hob are not as critical as I thought, as long as the lip of the hob is larger by even one cm. than the hole in the worktop, it will fit.
I had never fitted a hob before in my life, but it came with easy to follow instructions and four metal brackets that hold the hob in place. I had to do a "dry run" first just to make sure that everything went into place alright, and then there was a self adhesive band that makes the hob sit gently on the worktop and seals the edge which was easily applied and cushioned the hardness of the stainless steel against the worktop and also gives a hygeinic seal. As this was black, it was perfect for the worktop which is also black granite, although to those purchasers with lighter worktops, you need not worry because the self adhesive strip is actually quite discreet when fitted.
There are four rings on the hob and in the UK would have to be fitted to the gas supply by a qualified fitter, although here in France where we have bottled gas, it is a different matter.
IN USE
The hob has the most perfect control that I have ever had with a gas hob, each of the four rings having two pre-set settings (high and low), and also a very sensitive and I must stress sensible capability of being made to burn at their lowest, which is ideal. This weekend I made marmalade and for jam making, having an extremely low setting is essential for simmering, and having experienced both gas and electric, I would say that the gas hob wins hands down in heat control.
OTHER WINNING FEATURES OVER OTHER HOBS.
1. The stainless steel surface has no ridges which makes it superbly easy to clean and to be sure that no traces of food remain. After each use, I simply wipe with a warm soapy cloth and buff with a dry tea towel, and the hob looks as good as new. Other hobs I saw tended to have little crevices which over a period of time collect food debris and become dirty. This one has no hiding places for dirt.
2. The pan supports are simple. I found that the more complex ones, although they look fancy when they are new harbour germs and are difficult to clean. These are simple structures that wipe after every use and stay shiny and clean.
3. The knobs have superb solidity and are very discreet. Being black and easy to grip, the control I have over my cooking is superb, whereas other hob knobs (not of the biscuit variety) were flimsy or again habourers of dirt. These clean easily and there is sufficient space between them to buff the stainless steel surface. They remove for cleaning when necessary, although I have not yet found the need.
4. I liked the fact that this hob has an electric ignition button at the front. Some manufacturers have not taken into account the heat factor and have placed the ignition in a difficult to reach place which I feel is dangerous, or have incorporated the ignition in the ring knobs, again which I find awkward and dangerous, in that you can burn your hands. The placement of the ignition is perfect on this model and uses very little electric.
5. Co-ordination. This was the hob I had imagined and that I thought must not exist in my price range. It goes perfectly with my oven and cooker hood and makes my kitchen look superbly modern and clean all at the same time.
6. Price. Priced at £100 which incidentally is more expensive in the UK at £126 at Comet, this Whirlpool hob is easily as good as other makes which would have set me back £200 and which I would have chosen, but for the price. I was amazed that it was so cheap and am still amazed that I could have afforded it, and since buying it, have been back to the original shop to see the other stainless steel ones, and am glad I bought the Whirlpool one, as the others were not of the same calibre.
RING SIZES
There are three ring sizes and four rings in total, i.e. 1 small, 2 medium and one large which is easily adequate for my needs.
CLEANING
The individual rings have two parts which dismantle easily for cleaning. As stated above, the pan support is simple and as such makes cleaning a joy. The plastic knobs wipe simply and can be removed if needed. A quick wipe with a damp cloth and a buff up with a dry cloth after each use is simple and gives perfect results.
STAR RATING
Five out of five for price. Five out of five for instructions Five out of five for guarantee of 3 years. Five out of five for style.
AND MY COOKING HAS IMPROVED BECAUSE IT IS A JOY TO USE.
