CATA INSB 6430 BK induction hob, 59 cm, 4 zones, 7.2 kW, timer, Black

The manufacturer lists zone diameters of 160 and 210 mm: the smaller one suits a saucepan or small frying pan, the larger one a big pot or frying pan. Four zones let you prepare several dishes at once, such as boiling potatoes, frying meat and warming a sauce. Induction heats the base of the pan directly, so water boils quickly and the glass itself gets less hot than on a conventional cooktop.

Power is selected with touch buttons across nine levels, and Booster raises it for a short time when you need to bring water to the boil fast or sear meat. The pause function stops all zones at once – if the doorbell rings or you need to take a call, cooking can be paused and resumed with the same settings later, without having to set each zone again.

Pan detection recognises whether a suitable pan is on the zone – with no pan or an unsuitable one the zone does not heat. This saves electricity and lowers the risk of the hob being left on by accident. The safety lock locks the control panel, so an accidental touch, wiping the glass or a small child will not change the settings. Together these make the hob a safe option for families with children.

The hob has a timer and a countdown alarm. The countdown works like a kitchen timer: you set the time and the hob signals when it is up, so eggs or pasta are not left boiling too long by mistake. No separate kitchen timer is needed. This is especially handy when several dishes are on the go at once.

CATA INSB 6430 BK suits families who often cook with several pans at once and need four zones, as well as anyone who values convenience features such as pause, timer and pan detection. The safety lock helps in homes with small children. The 59 cm width fits the worktop of standard 60 cm kitchen units, and the black finish goes with many kitchen styles.