Choose a new hob for your kitchen? Confused in the expanses of models and functions? Let's see what you need to pay attention to and what you need to know, so that the new thing of your kitchen becomes ideal and irreplaceable. Let's look at the electric, gas and induction hob.
Electric model - modern, stylish and functional
The first step of the
The first thing you need to decide what model you need - dependent or independent. Here everything is simple - an independent surface can work as an independent device, it is not tied to the oven, it can be installed anywhere in your kitchen, it is equipped with its "control panel".
The dependent model is connected to the oven by one control system and it will be difficult to separate them - where the oven is, the panel is installed there. We draw a conclusion - if you need a classical layout of a plate and for you does not matter the panel autonomy, choose a dependent model. Want your kitchen to look more modern and the oven you are going to set at the level of the hands - stop at an independent one.
Step two - pay attention to the type of heating element and burners
The panel can have:
The
"pancakes" are familiar for many hot plates. They can be in enameled, aluminum and steel models. They are heated by means of an electric spiral, their main advantage is the affordable cost. The drawbacks include a long process of heating and cooling the burners, which means that the electric power costs will increase.
Rapid hotplates
Such burners are installed on glass-ceramic models and the heating process here takes place by incandescence of the spirals( they are located under the glass ceramics).Heating and cooling the burners for 10-15 minutes
Halogen burners
They are more powerful and equipped with the same spiral, but are supplemented with a halogen lamp that increases the amount of heat. Due to what the heating rate of the burners is higher than that of the rapids, the plate will heat up in 9-10 minutes
Hi-Light burners
Here the heating process takes place due to the ribbon heating element, which is "laid" in the asbestos base. With such burners, it will be easy for you to set the exact temperature, because the adjustment is stepless.
As you can see, the simplest electric model will be equipped with "pancakes" and rapid burners. We understand further.
Step three - selection of the material of the hob
Enameled model
Such a panel will be inexpensive and you will have the opportunity to choose a color( from white to green).Such a surface withstands high temperatures and mechanical loads. The disadvantages include fragility - if a heavy object falls on the enamel, a crack or chip can form.
Aluminum panel
It will also cost inexpensively. Such a surface is not afraid of damage and high thermal loads. The only thing she is afraid of is using hard brushes and powders during cleaning, which can leave scratches.
Model from stainless steel
Such panel will not be afraid of blows, damages, high temperatures, however, the model will cost a little more than enameled or aluminum. Only stainless steel is afraid of stains from water, so it is better to wipe the panel dry during cleaning.
Glass-ceramic surface
This is the most expensive option, but also the most modern and stylish. The surface of such a panel will look smooth, and clean it will be a pleasure - the dirt can simply be removed with a napkin. Such a model clearly differentiates the heating zones - outside these zones the panel will not be hot. The dishes for glass ceramics should be selected in accordance with the diameter of the burners( heating zones) to avoid the appearance of cloudy spots and divorces. Afraid of such a surface of strong and punctual strokes, sweet liquids.
Want to choose the optimal and technological model - take a closer look at glass-ceramic devices with Hi-Light hobs. More budgetary option - aluminum surface with hot plates "pancakes".
Step four - pay attention to the useful functions of
Many electric models( most of them - glass-ceramic) are equipped with:
- Shutdown function - it works if there is no one suitable for the stove for a long time, and the heating continues
- Indicator of residual heat - it warns that hot plate
- Overfill protection - if a hot liquid gets on the plate, it will cut off the power supply or reduce itspower
- Child protection - you can lock the control panel and the hotplate
- at the touch of a button. The timer will notify you when the cooking is finished.
The gas model is a familiar and practical version of the
. To choosegas hob, refer to the same parameters as the choice of electrical. The gas surface can also be dependent and independent - you will be able to install the panel separately or combine with the oven. Also, the surface can have several coating options:
- Stainless steel
- Enamels
- Glass ceramics
If the electrical panels are more popular in the glass-ceramic design, then among the gas models more demanded "stainless steel".This material is practical, attractive and well combined with any interior of the kitchen and any lighting. True, glass-ceramic panels can be equipped with touch controls and an expanded set of functions. Next, let's look at the options for cooking the burners:
- The standard burner has a diameter of 60-70 mm and a power of 2000 watts.
- Ultra-fast - this burner has a power of 3500 W and a multi-level design( 2-4 flame rings).The diameter of the burner will be 90-100 mm
- Auxiliary - the power of this burner will be 1000 W, and its diameter will be about 5 centimeters. Use the burner is best for cooking dishes over low heat or for cooking coffee
As a rule, gas panels have all three burners( their combination may be different), and the number of burners can be from two to six. During the selection of the panel, pay attention to the location of the burners and think about what you will use most often, and which ones - less often. For example, the model can have a diamond-shaped arrangement, where the most powerful burners will be lateral. If you cook a large number of dishes every day, it will be convenient for you to put pans. Next, pay attention to the grilles of the panel, they can be:
- One-piece( for the whole plate one grid)
- Sectional( for example, two grills for four burners)
- Individual( for each burner)
- See also: Which is better: gas cooker or gas panel
Sectional and individual easier to clean during cooking, also individual can be put in the dishwasher. Lattices can be made of cast iron - they are durable, but are more expensive, and enamels - these grates are easier to wash, but they are prone to chips. And we turn to the necessary for gas models small things. The panel can have the following options:
- Burners that can be rotated 90 degrees to make it easy to cook a large dish on several
- burners. The presence of the gas control system is a useful safety system in case the fire ceases. Then the plate will automatically stop the gas supply
- The presence of the function "electric ignition" - here an electric spark will ignite the flame( instead of matches).The electric ignition can be mechanical( when you need to make a button and turn the knob) or automatic( just turn the switch)
When choosing a gas model, pay attention to the small things, the coating and the number of burners to choose the optimal model.
Induction model - a new look at the
cooker The induction hob differs from all others in the special operating principle - it heats not a heating element, but only dishes. That is, the heat, which is necessary for the cooking process, is formed not on the plate, but in the pot itself.
All induction panels have a glass ceramic coating and can differ from each other by "stuffing" and functional features. The more the panel has additional features and the more original its design, the more expensive it is. Let's see what "stuffing" can be at such panel:
- The plate can have one or two or four or five heating zones. The choice of the number of hotplates on the panel depends on your needs - if you have a small family where you rarely cook something, the model with two burners
- is suitable. If your family has a small child, pay attention to the function of "child protection", whichwill help you to lock the control panel and access the baby to the
- burners. It will be useful to "change the intensity of the heating zones" - there can be a dozen variations from the lowest temperatures to a few degrees
- "Timer" - soThe function will allow the cooker to maintain the set temperature during cooking and, at the end, will sound an alarm
- The function "autoset" will turn off the panel if the water boils off in the saucepan.
- Read also: What distinguishes the induction hob from the glass-ceramic
The induction models and the type of control are divided. They can have:
- Touchpad( such models are very popular and convenient - with one finger touch you can set the temperature)
- Magnetic panel( there are not so many models)
- Standard switches
When choosing an induction model, follow the principle of selecting the necessary functions. If you want to buy the most fashionable panel - choose one that has all the functions, a timer and the maximum number of heating zones.