10 tips for choosing a hob

Popular vote - who is the best cooktop manufacturer?
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Ardesia

Asko

Bosch

Electrolux

Gorenje

Gefest

Hansa

Kuppersberg

LEX

MAUNFELD

Siemens

Total voted: 29

Vote results

Gas. They are made of enameled or stainless steel, less often cast iron is used. The control system is usually located on the front side of the equipment and is close to the user. A feature of gas hobs are rotary controls that allow you to control the intensity of the flame.

The standard number of burners is 4. They differ in size and power. In addition, gas panels are equipped with special grills designed to install dishes (pots, pans, etc.). Usually they are two-segment designs that can be easily removed and wiped if necessary.For the manufacture of gratings, cast iron or enameled steel is used.

Pros:

• low cost, including maintenance costs
• quick change of heating intensity,
• instantaneous supply (shutdown) of the flame.

Minus - gas panels are much more difficult to care for.

Electrical. Their surface is made of glass-ceramic, under which the burners are located. Modern electrical panels provide fast heating (5-10 seconds) and a wide heat transfer area. Most manufacturers offer devices with Hi-Light heating elements made in the form of corrugated tapes.

The number of heating zones is 4. However, there are small models on sale that are designed for only 2 or 3 burners. They are usually chosen as an addition to the built-in stove or for installation in country houses. A feature of electrical panels is touch control, less common are models equipped with buttons and rotary switches.

Pros:

• safety when using
• ease of care
• quick warm up,
• the most comfortable control,
• stylish look.

Minus - they significantly increase the bill for electricity.

Conclusion: Obviously, electric cooktops are the best choice for every family. However, keep in mind that they are much more expensive than gas models. In addition, electricity costs are higher than gas costs.

All gas and electric panels are divided into dependent and independent models. The first includes devices equipped with an oven. This set has a single control system. An economical solution for those who need both a hob and an oven.Buying these devices separately will cost a little more.

Note! However, there is a minus: if the oven control system is damaged, the built-in hob may stop functioning.

Conclusion: If financial possibilities allow, buy two independent devices, the performance of which does not depend on each other.

The speed of cooking and the reliability of the hob itself depend on the principle of heating. The most common:

• Cast iron burners and steel top. The advantages of such panels are: resistance to scratches and mechanical damage, operational durability and ease of maintenance;
• Glass-ceramic models with spiral heating elements. Their feature is high energy efficiency. These devices instantly heat up and cool down;
• Glass-ceramic panels with band heating. The main advantage of such models is a high heating rate, approximately 2.5 times higher than standard indicators;
• Ceramic devices with induction heating. Modern panels that provide economical energy consumption.

Conclusion: The best choice would be ceramic devices with induction heating. They are distinguished by maximum energy efficiency and extreme ease of care. To remove even old dirt, a regular napkin is enough.

The main element of the hob, regardless of its type and design, are the burners. To choose the right one, you need to determine their number, performance level and location on the surface of the device.

The number of burners usually varies from 2 to 6 pieces.If you have a large family, then there is more cooking, and, accordingly, a panel with 6 heating elements will be the best choice. For one person, a device equipped with only 2 burners is enough.

We draw your attention to a few nuances that will help you make the right choice of hob:

• Manufacturers offer modern devices equipped with two- and three-circuit burners. An excellent solution for those who prefer versatility in everything. The heating circuit in this case can be adapted to the diameter of the cookware;
• The burners can have 2-3 rows of flame at the same time (for gas models). In this case, heating will be much faster and more uniform. A wonderful choice if you and your family often cook national dishes;
• Some panels are equipped with a special burner called "wok". It is designed for cooking oriental dishes using a thick-walled cauldron or a concave pan.

Conclusion: The more burners, the higher the cost of the hob and its versatility. If you are not a fan of oriental cuisine, then there is no point in overpaying for a special heating element.

The more convenient the control, the more comfortable the use of the hob. Main types:

Mechanical. They are distinguished by reliability and low cost. They are easy to repair, so most breakdowns can be repaired. Plates with mechanical control are equipped with switches of various types: rotary or recessed.

Electronic. Touch screen panels are extremely easy to use. To perform a certain action (for example, change the heating power), one touch is enough.

Alternative (combined). They combine electronic and mechanical control. The main advantage of such panels is maximum functionality. They are easy to operate because they are equipped with familiar buttons.

Conclusion: The choice of control type depends only on your preferences. It’s great if the kit comes with a remote control with which you can control the hob while in another room.

When choosing an electric hob, it is important to consider the power of the device. Usually this indicator varies from 3 to 10 kW. The more burners, the higher their overall performance and the power of the entire hob.

Standard equipment is equipped with one large heating element (about 3 kW), two medium ones (about 1.5 kW) and a small one (no more than 1 kW). On sale there are models with several small burners and one medium one, or, conversely, all large ones.

There are many variations, so when choosing, it is important to consider what you cook most often. For example, if you use the hob mainly for making coffee or porridge for 1-2 people, then only small burners will be enough.

Conclusion: The more power, the faster you can cook complex dishes (meat, poultry, fish, etc.).

A universal choice is built-in panels with a width of 60 cm and a depth of 50 cm. Of course, when buying, you must proceed from the availability of free space in the kitchen, taking into account that an extractor hood will be required.

In addition to the standard parameters, 30 cm wide panels are on sale. This is a great opportunity to save space.Larger built-in panels have a width of 90 cm and a depth of 50 cm, they are distinguished by a greater number of burners. The best solution for owners of spacious kitchens and large families who cook a lot.

Conclusion: find out how much free space is available in the kitchen to install the hob and make a decision.

When choosing a glass-ceramic hob for your home, consider the presence of a metal frame. It is necessary to protect the equipment from scratches, chips and other mechanical damage. If during the cooking process the liquid accidentally gets on the surface of the panel, the metal frame will not allow it to spill.

Many manufacturers do not include it in the package, thereby reducing the cost of the device. However, the frames on the built-in hob perform not only a practical, but also an aesthetic function: they set off the color of the headset and serve as an unusual decorative finish. The disadvantage of this constructive element is difficult care.

Conclusion: it is better to choose hobs with a metal frame, as it ensures the practicality of using the device and prolongs its life.

The simplest but very useful feature found on some hobs is the built-in electronic timer. Moreover, it is not installed for all burners of the device at the same time, but for each heating zone separately.

The "Automatic boil" function allows you to reduce the cooking time. After the liquid boils, the intensity of the burners will automatically be reduced to the values ​​​​set by the user in advance.

The "Combining power" function provides maximum comfort during the cooking process.When it is turned on, one burner uses up to 50% of the power of another heating element, which is turned off at that moment.

The Frying Sensor function guarantees uniform frying of absolutely any food. It allows you to choose the right one of 3 degrees of heating for frying. An audible signal informs the user that the dishes have reached the required temperature.

Modern equipment from leading manufacturers is often supplemented with automated programs for preparing a variety of dishes: porridge, pilaf, soup, potatoes, etc. These are factory settings that include different temperature conditions.

When buying hobs from reliable manufacturers, you choose appliances that are 100% compliant with the requirements of safety, efficiency and durability. As a rule, leading companies pay special attention to the design and design of devices, so that they harmoniously fit into the interior of any kitchen.

Manufacturers you can trust:

• electrolux,
• Bosch,
• Gorenje,
• whirlpool,
• Siemens,
• Samsung.

The cost of high-quality gas hobs starts from 12,000 rubles, electric from 20,000 rubles.