Indesit RI 161 C 60cm Built-In 4 Zone Ceramic Hob - Black vs 580mm Built-In 4 Zone Ceramic Hob — Comparison

The Indesit RI 161 C and the Indesit RI860C are both black 580mm wide ceramic electric hobs with four zones and a 560mm cut-out, so they are close to identical in size. The main differences are the controls and the price: the RI 161 C costs £155 with front touch controls and residual heat indicators, while the RI860C costs £149 with side-mounted dial controls, a £6 gap.

The RI 161 C is 46mm high and weighs 8kg, while the RI860C is 50mm high. The practical difference is how you operate the hob. Front touch controls suit a flat, modern worktop, and the residual heat indicators on the RI 161 C show when a zone is still hot after cooking, which is useful if children are around. Side dials on the RI860C give a more traditional layout that many cooks find familiar.

Owners of the RI 161 C call it easy to use, easy to clean and reasonably priced. The criticisms are that it can take a long time to heat up and that the connection box underneath may be too small for the cable the maker recommends, so check the cable and the space behind the hob before fitting. Measure the cut-out and the cable run for your kitchen before you buy.

Bottom line: choose the Indesit RI 161 C if you want front touch controls and residual heat indicators, and choose the Indesit RI860C if you prefer side dials and the lower price.