Knowing how to set the temperature on an electric hob sounds straightforward, but choosing the right heat level makes the difference between a perfectly cooked dish and burnt food. This guide explains exactly how to use the settings on an electric hob — from gentle simmering to full power.
What settings does an electric hob have?
Most electric hobs, including the bakeVIA hob, use a dial that runs from low (1–2) to high (8–9 or maximum). Each setting corresponds to a specific heat intensity on the cooking zone.
There are broadly three temperature zones to distinguish:
- Low heat (settings 1–3): simmering, keeping sauces warm, melting chocolate
- Medium heat (settings 4–6): stir-frying vegetables, frying eggs, cooking rice
- High heat (settings 7–9 / max): boiling water, searing meat, cooking pasta
How to set the temperature on your hob step by step
- Choose the right cooking zone. Use a zone that matches the diameter of your pan. A zone that is too large wastes energy; one that is too small heats unevenly.
- Start at medium heat. Begin at setting 5 if you are unsure which temperature you need. You can always adjust from there.
- Wait for the pan to reach temperature. An electric hob heats up quickly. Only add your ingredients once the pan is hot enough — a drop of water should evaporate instantly.
- Reduce to a simmer in good time. As soon as a liquid reaches a boil, turn the setting back to 2–3 to keep it at a steady simmer without boiling over.
- Make smart use of residual heat. An electric cooking zone retains heat after you switch it off. Turn the hob off 1–2 minutes before the end of the cooking time — your dish will continue cooking on the residual heat.
Which temperature setting should you use for each dish?
| Dish / technique | Recommended setting | Heat level |
|---|---|---|
| Melting chocolate or butter | 1–2 | Low |
| Simmering a sauce, keeping soup warm | 2–3 | Low |
| Frying eggs, making an omelette | 4–5 | Medium |
| Stir-frying vegetables, cooking rice | 5–6 | Medium |
| Cooking pasta or vegetable stock | 7–8 | High |
| Searing meat, bringing water to a rapid boil | 8–9 / max | High |
What is the best setting for simmering on an electric hob?
For simmering, use setting 2 to a maximum of 3. At this level, a liquid stays just below boiling point, allowing flavours to develop slowly without the dish boiling over or burning. If needed, place a lid at an angle on the pan to let steam escape.
Common mistakes when setting the temperature on an electric hob
- Always starting on the highest setting. This scorches the bottom of your pan and affects the flavour. It is better to start at medium heat and increase if necessary.
- Not adjusting the setting during cooking. A great dish requires variation: high to heat up, low to cook through.
- Using thin pans on high heat. A thin base distributes heat unevenly. For an electric hob, choose a pan with a thick, flat base for best results.
- Forgetting about residual heat. After switching off, the zone stays warm for several minutes. Use this deliberately rather than ignoring it.
Tip: compact hob, full control
The bakeVIA hob features an intuitive control dial that lets you switch smoothly between all power settings. Its compact size makes it ideal for small kitchens, student rooms or as an extra cooking zone alongside your main cooker — without compromising on power or precision.