Hotpoint Easy Clean CleanProtect Induction Hob review: easy cleaning, efficient cooking

There's excitement surrounding the Hotpoint TS 3560F CPNE Easy Clean CleanProtect Induction Hob. In fact, you may have seen it on TV. If you haven't witnessed an induction hob in action before, rest assured they have a magical ability to boil water in seconds. But this Hotpoint hob has got something else to offer. Clean a greasy, well-used hob with just a spritz of water and a wipe. That's what Hotpoint claims this CleanProtect induction hob can do. So, let's get cooking and find out.

Hotpoint TS 3560F CPNE Easy Clean CleanProtect Induction Hob Overview

Hotpoint claims the CleanProtect™ Induction Hob is "the 'easiest to clean* hob using just water. It has a unique coating that can save on up to six bottles of detergent a year**. In addition, the ceramic glass surface is five times more resistant to chipping, even after years of frequent use. Plus, it comes with a 10-year parts and one-year labour warranty.

Its RRP is £389 which is better than its high-end competitor, the Neff T36FB41X0G Induction Hob (RRP £469.99). In addition, this Hotpoint model has Flexi Space, where two rings combine to form one large cooking space. Effectively, one half of the hob becomes a cooking zone; fantastic for accommodating a rectangular griddle pan or a fish poacher. Also, it gets around the tricky issue of induction hobs requiring cookware to fit the ring diameter exactly in order to work. This can be a pain if you have skillets or casserole pots that are larger than 26cm in diameter.

*Compared to Hotpoint's non-coated standard hobs

**Saving calculated in a period of 1 year, considering 11.4ml of generic degreaser (equivalent to 6 sprays) used 8 times a week; bottle capacity 750ml

Testing Hotpoint TS 3560F CPNE Easy Clean CleanProtect Induction Hob

My (intro)duction to this Hotpoint CleanProtect Induction Hob came a few months ago at a product demonstration at Hotpoint HQ. I was blown away to see the hob cleaned using only water. I just had to try it out.

Expect boiled eggs, stir fry and dumplings, pancakes, cheese sauce, roast dinners, and griddling along the way. One of the USPs of this hob is that you can melt and even temper chocolate on it. Using the MyMenu Melting function, I'll be trying that too.

The key USP is the CleanProtect surface, so I'll be as messy with grease, water stains and fingerprints. Let's see if a modest wipe with water can remove the marks.

What Were The Results?

The first test was to see if my pots and pans were compatible with an induction hob. Placing a magnet on the base and seeing it stick confirmed that they had the conductivity to work. However, the quality and structure of a pan's base can affect cooking performance. The pan's base must be flat for even heat conduction. Sometimes, a pan may partially work, and other times – as with copper pans – they are not suitable for induction hobs.

To activate a ring for cooking, place the pan and its contents on the ring. The hob will recognise that there's a pan. Slide your finger along the slider controls to set the power level (from 1-18). If you remove a pan from the hob, a symbol appears, and the ring switches itself off after 30 seconds. The symbol can also mean the pan is not suitable for induction cooking or that it's the wrong size.

Be aware that if you remove the frying pan to flip a pancake, the ring will stop cooking. It's the connection of the pan and the conductive coils in the hob that generates a magnetic field that, in turn, cooks the contents of the pan.

Performance

It might be true that a watched pot never boils. Induction hobs boil fast, but are they faster than a kettle? I admit I don't have the best induction-compatible pans for this task. My saucepans buzz when they are connected to a ring. This is a sign that the pan and hob don't have the best magnetic connection.

My 3kW Cookworks kettle took one minute and 13 seconds to boil 500ml of water. A 500ml pan of water with no lid on took two minutes 30 seconds on 18, the maximum temperature setting. Intriguingly, it took the same amount of time to do the same test with a lid on. To make it a fair test I used a different pan ring of the same size – starting it from cold. In short, not as fast as a kettle but probably more energy efficient.

I boiled a pan two-thirds full for hard-boiling eggs. It took five minutes and 30 seconds to come to a boil on the maximum setting. This was a rolling boil, which is what you're looking for when boiling eggs, not just when bubbles start to form.

The instant temperature control is impressive. I took the temperature down from 18–4, and the bubbling instantly stopped. This is a pro feature as it prevents boiling over. Plus, the controlled cooking zones mean the rest of the hob stays cool to the touch.

Cheese sauce needs attention so it doesn't stick, but with low and controlled temperatures, you don't have to be so vigilant. Plus, you can set a timer so you're alerted before your fondue goes past the point of no return. Once again, the exact temperature control is such a boon for making the perfect sauce. Also, I'm amazed at how quickly it cooks, it's much more efficient than my previous hob.

Usability

It's possible to melt chocolate without a bain-marie. There's a Melting function that's available on the right-hand side rings. Whilst on the left-hand side Flexi Space is an option. You have to have good eyesight to spot the differences between the special functions, as the icons are very small and subtly different. To select a special feature, press the My Menu button repeatedly. Then press OK to confirm. Within 30 seconds, I could see signs of melting. In two minutes, I had perfectly melted chocolate that wasn't sticking or burning and was easily stirred with a silicone spatula. I added cereal to create chocolate snacks. It was a total success. Just good quality chocolate and crushed Shredded Wheat for a healthy and wholesome treat. There was minimal clear-up and it took less than 20 minutes from bar to bun-case.

Using Flexi Space

The Flexi Space zone has three cooking zones within it. Depending on where you place your pan, it activates high, medium, or low pre-set power. The high setting is the top left-hand side of the hob. Medium is the middle, and low is the front.

For the first time, I felt the hob and controls were hot when using a cast iron griddle pan. I think it's because of the pan's incredible heat conduction. Also, this is a quality piece of cookware, so there was no buzzing sound when in use, unlike with inferior saucepans.

It's easy to use Flexi Space. Just press the icon on the controls, and the two left-hand rings sync, effectively joining them together to create one large rectangular cooking space. Use either slider to set the power level for the Flexi Space cooking area. Just be sure to oil the pan well to prevent sticking.

The top third of the Flexi Space cooking area is the hottest. I found that chargrilled vegetables cooked too fast in that space.

Build

This built-in electric hob has a minimum niche height of 28cm, a minimum width of 59cm, and a minimum depth of 48cm. The installation team said that they could adjust to fit most kitchen spaces. Say goodbye to dial controls; this digital hob is operated by touch. Yes, it's a big adjustment, but after a couple of meals, you'll be used to the precise and almost instant temperature changes as you slide your finger across the controls.

There are four power levels:

Power level 1-4 (2.5kW) is for melting, defrosting, keeping food warm, and creaming risotto. Use it to soften butter or gently melt chocolate.

Power level 1-5 (4.0kW) is for cooking, simmering, thickening, and creaming. Use these levels to slow cook.

Power level 10-14 (6.0kW) is for stewing, sautéing, grilling, maintaining a gentle boil, and stewing.

Power level 14-18 (7.2kW) is for browning, sautéing, boiling, and grilling. Fry deep-frozen products and bring liquids to the boil quickly.

Installation

This induction hob requires professional installation by a qualified electrician. This is not true of all hobs, for example, the Neff T36FB41X0G Induction Hob is plug-in and play. However, with a hard-wired appliance, you benefit from extra power.

Cleaning

Finger marks show on the digital controls, and the cooking rings get stained, but it's astonishingly easy to clean with water. Use a damp cloth to wipe the hob and dry to a mirror shine with a paper towel. It's amazing. My partner accidentally used a cleaning spray, and it smeared. Be aware that you must wait until the hob is cold before cleaning. Also, you must not use abrasive scouring pads. For heavy stains and dirt, soak the area in water and leave for five minutes (never soak the control panel). Then, use a non-abrasive sponge to remove the dirt and wipe the surface dry with a soft cloth or paper towel. Clean the hob every day as finger marks and ring stains show up on the reflective surface.

The Hotpoint CleanProtect Induction Hob instruction manual is available online.

Final Verdict: Hotpoint TS 3560F CPNE Easy Clean CleanProtect Induction Hob

A different kind of heat that doesn't burn but does cook effectively and rapidly. It's magic, with quality cookware oil bubbles and hisses within seconds. Also, if you want to cook extra fast, there is a power boost function.

The controls are simple and minimalist, albeit the pre-set icons are a little bit difficult to distinguish. I had no problems with cooking with four pans at once, with some foods simmering whilst others were boiling. It's a safer way of cooking because the area around the ring does not get hot. It can maintain precise temperatures, which results in professional cooking performance. It opens up the possibility of making caramel or fudge on the hob without a dreadful mess.

It's an efficient appliance if you use residual heat. Additionally, it's excellent for keeping many dishes warm on the hob.

The sleek and flat glass surface is easy to wipe clean, and maintain, so it does live up to its USP.

Yes, I feel thoroughly inducted into next-level hob cooking.

Verdict score: 4/5

Similar products to consider

FAQs: Hotpoint CleanProtect Induction Hob

How does an induction hob work?

Induction hobs are an efficient form of cooking as they only generate heat where it is required. If there's no pan on the hob, the ring will not heat.

If a magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan, then it will work on an induction hob.

You may notice that your pots and pans buzz, hum and even vibrate on an induction hob. This is due to the magnetic process. It's more noticeable in low-quality cookware.

Be aware induction hobs are not suitable for people who have pacemakers, as the magnetic fields generated by the hob rings can interfere with the device.

When is induction cooking very useful in cooking?

Induction cooking is great at controlling temperatures precisely. For example, when you're making butter sauces or poaching eggs, where you need to keep things below 70°C. Plus, it's fast. You can cook pasta in half the usual time. This makes it an excellent choice if you're looking for an appliance to save money on bills.

You don't need a separate sous vide machine because you can do low and slow cooking on an induction hob with a water bath – just keep an eye on the water temperature. It's also perfect for slow-cooking dishes like curry since it spreads heat evenly. And don't forget about melting chocolate – it's so easy with induction cooking because you can adjust the temperature exactly.

How do I temper chocolate on an induction hob?

The process of tempering chocolate is essential if you're making moulded chocolates or chocolates to decorate. Tempering affects the structure of chocolate, giving it a smooth and glossy finish with a nice snap, as opposed to grainy and mottled.

The precise temperature control of the Hotpoint induction hob gives you the optimum temperature of 31–33°C to melt chocolate. Anything above 46°C completely ruins the structure of chocolate. A temperature that's less than 31°C results in an uneven structure.

There's none of the clean-up that comes with melting chocolate in a bowl over a pan of hot water. And the hob takes care of the temperature control so you don't need a thermometer either.

For more information, Great British Chefs has a guide to tempering chocolate.

Who Tested It?

Natalie Knowles is a Commercial Content Writer for A Modern Kitchen. She's been testing kitchen appliances for a year and a half at Bauer Media. She provides relatable accounts of getting to grips with fridge freezers, washing machines and an oven as she equips her flat with kitchen essentials. Having tested the Hotpoint ActiveCare washing machine, Natalie was interested to try another new Hotpoint appliance.

How The Product Was Tested

The Hotpoint TS 3560F CPNE Easy Clean CleanProtect Induction Hob was installed in a domestic kitchen and used daily over the course of a month. Natalie cooked a range of family meals in order to test its performance and usability. Having seen a professional chef demonstrate it's precision temperature control at Hotpoint HQ, Natalie was keen to replicate the demonstration by tempering chocolate directly on the hob.

Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in kitchen appliances. When she's not testing coffee machines, she flexes her creative flair as an artist.