Fagor IF-64R

A common and basic feature of this induction hob was described on the website as well as in the instruction manual and was standard on our previous induction hob, did not work. The instructions said: "when the appliance is switched on, you can move directly to maximum power "P" by pressing the "-" button." This statement was printed in the company's literature describing the hob IF64R and the model was even shown pictorially.

We questioned why and the company claimed that their goods did not have to correspond with their description and made it difficult to ring the repair contractors who were very understanding. Luckily we had paid with our credit card and this was not legally or morally correct.

On top of this, we were wholly unimpressed with our noisy and poorly performing Fagor and we were given the runaround by the company not their contractors who accepted the item did not fit the description. I would never recommend Fagor - avoid it.

We sent the Fagor hob back and we now have an Ikea hob NUTID HIN4T which is made by Whirlpool. It is quiet, has a boost function on the two back hobs and is a fantastic performer.

I've trained as a chef and have worked with good quality equipment. I know that working with responsive appliances not only makes cooking pleasurable and easier but also saves time and money. The Fagor IF-64R induction hob is money well spent if you're looking for an induction hob that does what it says. There are 9 power levels that are very responsive from 1 through to 9. I wanted to test these levels so I filled a pan with 1 litre/2 pints of cold water and set the hob on full power at level 9. It took just over a minute to boil fiercly. I reduced the power at each level and noticed a difference in the way the water boiled at each reduction in power. Power level 1 is brilliant if you have melted butter on a higher level and then reduce power to level 1 to keep warm and liquidy without burning,(good for gravies and casseroles/stews). My overall opinion on this induction hob is very high. It's built as a work-horse, not to look fancy and do nothing. Being a fussy chef I struggle to find in the domestic appliance range value for money and quality that will last, but Fagor have hit the mark in my opinion. I guess if you have lots of money to spare then go ahead and buy a hob that is 3 or 4 times the price of the Fagor IF-64R but the control power levels won't be any different! Better you spend the extra money on good quality saucepans because there you will notice a difference.