Indesit IB 65B60 NE induction hob, 59 cm, 4 zones, touch control, black

Beneath the glass of an induction hob there is a coil that creates a magnetic field, and that field heats the metal base of the pot or pan directly. The glass-ceramic surface only gets warm from the cookware, so spills do not burn on as quickly and the surface cools down faster once the pan is removed. The pan reacts to power changes almost immediately, without the slow warm-up of a radiant plate.

Four zones let you simmer soup, fry meat, cook a side dish and keep a sauce warm at the same time. It is the usual layout for a home kitchen and covers both a quick breakfast and a larger family dinner. The manufacturer does not list the diameter or wattage of the individual zones, and there is no dedicated wok burner, so a flat-bottomed wok is the way to go.

The controls are placed at the front of the hob, so you do not have to reach over hot pans to choose a zone or change the power level. The touch panel is flush with the glass, which means no knobs for grime to collect around and the whole surface wipes clean in one pass. The timer helps you track cooking time so pasta or eggs do not stay on the heat for too long.

The hob measures 59 cm wide and 51 cm deep, which suits a worktop above a standard 60 cm kitchen unit. The height of 5.4 cm shows how much space it takes below the worktop, which matters if a drawer or an oven sits directly underneath. The manufacturer does not give the cut-out size, so check it in the installation manual before cutting the worktop. The hob weighs 9.2 kg.

The manufacturer lists a supply voltage of 220–240 V and a maximum current of 31.3 A. An induction hob is one of the largest loads in a kitchen and needs a circuit and protection rated for it. A 1.2 m power cable is included. Which connection method and circuit protection suit your home wiring is a decision for the electrician who installs the hob and checks the circuit before first use.

Indesit IB 65B60 NE suits anyone renovating a kitchen or replacing an old ceramic hob who wants four-zone induction with simple touch controls and a timer. The black glass works with both light and dark worktops. Families with small children should keep in mind that the manufacturer lists no child lock, so the controls are always accessible.