Hobs: how to choose, how they work, the types of producers

Cooking surface with multiple burners, different from standard plates absence oven - a rectangular, square less defined heating zones with different surface.

The most popular coating - enamel of various hues. White appliances to buy more often, a little less - the enameled surface of brown, blue and even orange hues. Panels covered with enamel, are inexpensive, and are characterized by high strength.

We cooktops, including induction, there is a multi-function touch control, equipped with LEDs and switches. For the convenience of appliances equipped with timers, stopwatches and the various programs of automatic cooking.

Types of cooking surfaces

Most of the hobs has heating elements operating on electricity. And they are often covered with glass ceramic. Less common cast iron surface with a high degree of reliability, while less functional.

Separate the heating surface by the process of connection: independent (autonomous) or dependent and the type of heating element:

• electric - induction, heating spirals;
• gas;
• Combined - combine the electric and gas burners, for example: 2 gas and 2 or 3 electrical.

Recent developments combine glass ceramics and burners. They call them "gas on glass". Price range high, so let them mainly large companies. Each color has its own name: "aluminum", "black anthracite", "ice cold", "Mirror" and others.

Burners for glass-ceramics are:

• Hi-Light or tape. Heated quickly, are easy to maintain and reliable. The heater is designed as a ribbon of an alloy with high resistance. Heat dissipation is much higher than many electric cookers due to the dense packing tape. Warmed up for 6-7 seconds and if turn red, then touch them dangerous.
• Rapidnye. Made in the form of a spiral. Ten seconds is enough to warm up and cool down.
• halogen. Spiral working with red halogen lamp. It is heated instantly.
• inductive. It heats only the dishes than saving electricity and time on cooking. Heating is by a magnetic field which is generated between the hob and the cooking utensils. This type of heater has high efficiency and is the most economical and efficient.

How do the cooking surface

Ceramic hob it is, in fact, an ordinary electric. The peculiarity is that it is completely closed ceramic hob with a mirror-smooth surface.

Burners are distinguished circles or ovals and heated as quickly as possible. Under the topsheet is a tubular heating element, which is twisted spirally. Under it the basis of asbestos. The principle is simple: a red-hot spiral through a glass plate transfers heat to the cookware.

Induction hob It works a little differently. Located under the surface of the inductor. They are supplied with alternating current, electromagnetic field appears below the dishes.

The pot standing on it will emerge eddy currents. According to the laws of thermodynamics, moving, heat conductors, which serves as tableware, standing on the plate.

This can be pots and pans made of cast iron, stainless steel or enamelled. But always with a thick bottom.

functions

AT gas stoves the gas supply is regulated smoothly, electrical ignition operating in automatic mode, the gas is automatically turned off if the flame is extinguished.

The operating principle of the gas control functions, simple. In the event of accidental extinction of the flame, to prevent gas leakage, a special automatic stops gas supply, without human intervention.

It is characterized by several rows of the flame, which is heated intensively dishes.

Avtorozzhig itself speaks for itself. Hidden under the cover element which cuts out the spark lights the flame thereby.

There are models of panels with hot plates under the special dishes such as Wok (she has a small diameter convex bottom). Sometimes the cooking surface is combined with a domino-grill, steamer or fryer.

Grill glass ceramic may be coated or covered with a lattice of iron. In vitrified grills (halogen or tape), the heating temperature is lower than the models covered iron. In these products will never burn down.

Products are prepared on the grill. Discharged liquid flows into the recess and removed through a special device.

If the grill to replace the stones with water or oil, you get a double boiler or a deep fryer. But it is possible to find a device and a specially built deep fryer or steamer (it almost always requires a connection to the water supply).

There are hobs with tepan. It is kind of grill. Food cooked on the metal sheet heated to a high temperature.

All devices are divided into three types:

• electric. Surface coating may be different, and the heating element only works on electricity;
• gas. Heating element - running on natural gas;
• combined. There are several heating elements. Their relationship is different.

Making cooktops also differs. Classical variant has 4-5 heating zones, depending on the size of the device itself. Burners are usually round, but sometimes there are either increased or extended for custom glassware.

In the style of "domino" - working surface for cooking is collected from the modules that are needed. Section for "domino" have standard dimensions, they are easy to change and to collect again.

recessed cookers can have from one to six burners. Traditional variant - four burners, which differ in capacity, one of which - with 2-3 flame rows. The choice depends on the magnitude of food, amounts and frequency cooking.

The devices may be coated with enamel (1) stainless steel (2), glass ceramic (3) and the glass (4).

1. Enamel called - very thin glassy film which is obtained by high temperature treatment. Panels coated with enamel, exhibit high durability. Apply hot and powder enamelling.

   Enamel, powder coating process does not tolerate exposure to acids.

2. Stainless steel - an alloy of several metals of which the main chromium. And the higher the quality of stainless steel, the higher the chromium content therein. Stainless steel coating is matt and mirror;
3. Ceramic Glass - a glass-like mass, hardened in a special way. It's tough, heat-resistant and durable material. Usually it is applied to hobs with electrical heating elements is much less for gas surfaces. The main advantage of this coating - deliberate thermal conductivity;
4. Tempered glass is a sheet of normal glass, be hardened by heat, followed by a momentary cooling of cold air. It is not susceptible to thermal stresses and mechanical shock.

induction

Plates with induction coils are equipped with autofocus. It allows you to not put the dishes exactly the diameter of the hotplate. That is the part of the heated lap warm-up, which "feels" on the dishes themselves (which saves a lot of electricity).

The heating zones may have a different shape. For example, an oval. This is considered an optional feature, as usual, the same heating zone is a standard - round. This mode is activated either by double clicking the icon on the touch panel, or an additional rotary switch.

It is triggered either when removed from the appliance glassware or in contact with the liquid drops on the surface. In standard mode, after 20 seconds, the device turns off.

The timer is able through the allotted time to turn off the burner and signal a willingness to dish.

control lock - function, convenient in the case of washing control panel or prevention of pressing the sensor children.

avtozakipanie function. The predetermined time hotplate switched on and after a time (also defined) reduces the heating power.

Cast iron

Cast heating elements, so-called pancakes are progenitors of modern heating elements. Hidden under the disc element consists of a nickel alloy, iron, and chromium. Heats it by passing current through it, hereinafter the resulting heat is transferred to the disk, and it heats the dishes.

Due to the cast iron from which the disc is made, heat is distributed uniformly over the surface.

Not as often as the previous ones, but meets a halogen heater which heats up quickly and cools down. Helix that creates heat, works in conjunction with the halogen lamp, which determines the rate of heating. Details of operation of the heating element halogen characteristics comparable with gas burners.

Switches on cooking embedded devices are touch-sensitive, mechanical and rotary. Gas panels are produced only with mechanical switches.

The presence of the touch control panel always says that in addition to the basic functions of a set of additional:

• timer or stopwatch,
• indicator still hot from previous burners,
• protection of children,
• audio power amplification due to the heating zone and the other straight.

Most of the devices has a standard burners. But there are also models with a diamond layout options.

Function "Residual heat indicator". It lit up as long as the central part of the hotplate temperature is below 50⁰C. It saves electricity and ensures your safety.

Some models, especially dependent types, equipped with a display. It reflects much more information than conventional LEDs, light bulbs or scales. Due to the display surface of the control is considerably simplified. But it must be justified only in large, multifunction models with induction heating element.

All built-in panels for cooking are divided into two types: independent and dependent.

Dependent installed together with the oven with a common control panel. Independent - are considered to be more comfortable. They can be installed independently anywhere convenient location kitchen. In addition, often equipped with independent touch controls that are easier to care for and work.

The standard depth of the cooking surfaces 50 - 55 cm. The width will depend on the number and arrangement of burners. For example, a model with two small heating elements has a width of 30 - 35 cm, trehkonforochnye - no more than 45 cm. Popular are models of width 55 - 60 cm.

Gas models are supplied with bars to install dishes. They are available whole (the entire surface), individual (one intended for the burners) and section (a certain part of the surface).

Grilles are steel and cast iron. Overloading enameled steel gratings face cracks and can crumble. Iron more practical stuff is not afraid to mechanical damage, it does not burn and retains its appearance for many years.

Benefits

Advantages of the gas cooktop

Enamelled panel with gas burners most budget. It has a small indentation, so escaped products are easy to assemble with a damp cloth. Steel surfaces are not afraid to shock and glassware falls. Easy to maintain, and have a long service life (with proper care).

Advantages of electric hobs

The main advantage of the electric hob in front of the gas - safety. Gas burners - it is an open fire and a possible gas leak. Work, they contribute to the burning of oxygen, which is why the air becomes stale.

Induction devices outperform other plates with electric heating elements:

• Economical. Electricity consumed goes to heating coils, and the creation of an electromagnetic field.

  Plus, the induction heating elements are automatically controlled temperature.

  For its boiling sharply increased in the process of preparation may be independently switched on and off while maintaining the temperature.
• Do not lose the heat generated as the very hot dishes and quickly.
• Crockery quickly heats food without letting it burn on and stick to the walls or the bottom.
• Operate stably powerfully at low power.
• Safe: stay cool, burned impossible.
• Organic: the required heat is generated at the maximum, which greatly reduces the amount of impurities in the air kitchen.

In addition, the cooktops at the induction coil contains several functions, distinguishes them from others:

• fast heating. Briefly burner capacity is increased, which allows, for example, accelerate the liquid to boil, and then power is reduced automatically;
• overheat protection. Device disconnected in an automatic mode;
• "Boost" function. Nearby burners increase the power of one.

Most of the cooking surfaces, represented in the sale, has a function "convection"And" memorizing ". For one or all of the heating zones can remember a specific program. This greatly facilitates use of the device.

Problems

One of the big disadvantages cooktops, especially electric - dishes. It is necessary that the bottom of the dish was smooth, not protrude beyond the edge of the heating element. Failure to do so leads to the fact that the food is not warmed up or warming up in part.

Induction surface have specific requirements for frying pans and pots. The material of construction of the cookware must possess magnetic properties. For example: iron. Dishes of brass, aluminum or glass panel induction does not "feel".

On heating the surface always takes time.

Some glass-ceramic coating in the center of the burners are heated up to 550⁰C, and the outermost region 150⁰FROM. It's hot enough.

Gas models with enamelled hard base cleared of burnt stains, especially greasy. Any abrasive detergents can leave marks on surfaces.

On steel cooking surfaces seen any spot, even fingerprints. To care for them, buy special detergents.

Disadvantages of electric hobs:

• spilled liquid is quickly on the floor or table top;
• there are restrictions on the mass of dish;
• pots and pans are selected according to the diameter of the burners;
• Induction recessed panel fear sweet drops, wherein the heating may damage the coating

How to choose a cooking surface

The main thing when choosing a device to take into account: the hob - an element of built-in appliances, so the worktop for her cut hole with a space from the wall or furniture for a gas cooktop - about 15 cm, an electric panel for - 4-6 cm.

Choosing an independent or dependent type device to navigate, should be on the specific situation. Dependent device (only negative - binding to the oven) has a control unit is often located on the oven (manufacturer trick).

Independent embedded surface has autonomous control. Oven to buy it is not charming (in the case of acquisition of his set, without being tied to the cooking stove).

heating type is electric, gas and combined. Which is best depends on the make and model.

Panels with eclectic types of heating elements are much more expensive than gas, but virtually harmless. The norm of energy consumption depends on the model and the type of heating element.

Cooktops combined type possess both types of properties.

Embedded device for cooking different manufacturers have different dimensions. And you want to pick them up, respectively, the place of installation. Considered standard dimensions: width - 60-90 cm, depth - 50-70 cm (total height). If the hood is installed before the built-in appliances to choose 10-15 cm longer.

The coating surface layer affects the lifetime and easy maintenance. Enameled may not be pleasing to the eye, but they are easy to clean and are in the affordable price range.

Combined - tempered glass and enamel, look more advantageously enamelled, easy to care for, but are more expensive.

On such a surface, smudge, and even fingerprints.

Glass ceramic coating significantly increases the cost of the hob. Such devices look stylish. Warms up quickly and cool down. Only conduct heat to the pan. Unactuated surface remains cold. Safety class have higher than gas.

Number of burners also an important parameter. A common pattern - four burners. Two is not enough even a family with no children, except that she is Stove suitable for garden. Choosing a cooker, remember that some of them needed utensils from magnetizable material, or precisely matched to the diameter of the heating element. Well, if the selected model will be dual burners or double-circuit.

heating type. Besides the usual gas, there is a spiral, ribbon, halogen and induction.

According to the heating speed induction hobs gas ahead - have a smooth power control.

Note the presence of additional features:

• protection of children from the control panel (blocked the operation of all buttons and sensors)
• "Feeling" standing on the surface of the dishes (dishes without switching off automatically)
• protection against residual heat function (showing still hot from previous section, preventing burns)
• PowerBoost (heating power can merge in a single burner).

The last thing you should pay attention - a variety of additional functions, automation, display, and other features make it easier to work on the device, based on the primary function.

Which is better

Hob with a gas heater. It supplied with power from the burners 100 to 3500 watts. Heat quickly, which helps to preserve taste and nutrients in cooked food. Such devices are considered to be economical. Characterized by a quick-cooking food even on the weak fire.

electrical panels. An electric heating element and normally always covered glass-ceramic. It looks elegant gas, but much more expensive to operate. A big plus in this category of devices - lack of gas combustion products.

Combined panels have both gas burners and burners with an electric heater. Their ratio is different. Such devices are selected in the absence of the central pipeline.

Most Viewed - enamel. Typically white shade, rarely black or brown.

Metal hobs made of aluminum or stainless steel. Recent perfectly in tune with a sink and can easily fit into any kitchen design.

The surface of the glass-ceramic - the best option. They look good and are easy to clean (special means). But their use requires some care:

• salt water or sweet drops removed immediately. Freedom from such contaminants already fraught with the cooled surface mechanical damage;
• glass-model strikes fear small or sharp objects, while the largest cookware strikes they are not afraid;
• Cookware should always be dry;
• aluminum cookware is not suitable for glass ceramic plates.

Before buying the device to determine the type of heating. The following options are possible:

• Traditional heating element. Standard pancakes hiding hermetically sealed electrical coil. From the familiar to all electric ovens differ only in improved appearance. These hobs are relatively cheap, but for a long warm up and cool down;
• induction heating element. It heats only the bottom of the pan or pans. Heating power is regulated smoothly. Water boils very quickly. Energy consumption in induction hobs twice lower than the rest. This is the most expensive bar;
• ribbon heating element or Hi-light. It is heated to high temperatures for 8 - 10 seconds, and immediately cools;
• Halogen heating. Expensive. Spiral works in conjunction with a halogen lamp or a gas-filled tube. Such a burner at work becomes bright red and emits a lot of heat. As the heating temperature to a predetermined lamp or tube is turned off.

BEST MODE heater - halogen or induction.

Be sure to pay attention to the size and shape of the burners. They have to "hold" the dishes. Sizes burners pretty big. There are also combined heating zones: a small circle or in a large oval.

How to use the hob

Stainless steel. It is mainly used for devices with gas heating. It represents a shiny surface with burners covered with iron bars.

for such a coating Care: wipe cover any detergent other than the abrasive, and do not use metal wool. They can leave scratches, which impair the appearance of the panel.

The main caveat care stainless surface - not to give stagnate drips and splashes. First, a soft sponge, preferably with liquid detergent, wipe the cooled remnants of food, then dry.

They can zatech on the ignition, which will have to wash and dry for a long time. Lattice dried with food residues is soaked in a solution of citric acid. Then rinsed in running water dry.

ceramic panel. Extend the life of the device - means to choose the dishes (or a suitable bottom diameter or manufacturing material with magnetic properties). Before cleaning, allow panels to cool. Purify their specialized detergents.

It means a special composition readily dissolves leftover food, including frozen fat, protecting coating itself. Following is a special film that protects from further burning runaway food, and most importantly from the sweet drops, making it easier care.

It is recommended to first remove the escape food scrapers, sometimes manufacturers attach them to their devices. Scrapers are available plastic, with removable blades. They remove any meltable materials: frozen sugar drops melted plastic and so on.

It, first of all, will dissolve the coating. The only coating that is easy to part with a simple dirt with a damp cloth - glossy.

Glass ceramic coating can not be cleaned with an ordinary sponge. After it stains remain on the wash fluid and / or fat, which are heated, may discolour coating.

Water stains, fat lime or purifying agents intended for cleaning karmic products or articles of high quality steel.

All cleaning agents must be thoroughly washed off, for warming up, they will corrode the coating of the cooking surface.

Hot plates and utensils should always be dry.

The main thing in this dish bottom. With a diameter of questions arise, but that it requires a concave (while cold) know not many. By heating, the bottom of pot or pan is rectified, thereby the lower heat loss.

The modern tableware manufacturer says it is for any hotplate.

For induction cooker crockery shall be made of material having magnetic properties. Usually suitable steel, cast iron and enameled. If the cookware is made of alloy, its purpose should be clearly stated by the manufacturer. Burners include after it put tableware.

Guarantee

The average term of the guarantee on the hob 12 months. The countdown begins from the date of purchase. The warranty card manufacturer declares the mandatory elimination occurred during the warranty period problems.

The warranty will only apply to cooking surfaces, which are used for non-commercial purposes.

Repair warranty is free of charge, and depending on the fault, at home or in the workshop of the service center.

The warranty repairs may be refused if:

• card appears to be invalid,
• damage and malfunction from improper use, or violation of the rules of care for the surface,
• has been established that an independent autopsy and repair,
• the surface was not installed by an authorized specialist and non-compliance with the installation rules,
• Control elements affected by water or other liquids,
• the failure was due to insect or animal.

Warranty obligations do not include cleaning, adjustment and other care, part of the user's responsibility.

Faults and repairs

Most often break hobs with electric heating type. If the warranty period has ended, with some failures is possible to cope on their own as follows.

1. Check for a faulty outlet.
2. Then check on the performance of the electric plug and cord.
3. If these items are correct, proceed to dismantle the device.
4. In accordance with the instructions locate the fuse that is responsible for teploperegruzku. Check its performance multimeter. Replace if necessary.
5. Next, check all wires and connections. After a visual inspection of their need to "ping" - the integrity of the multimeter.
6. If does not work, one of the burners, it is possible to break PETN happened. If there is a soldering iron and skills to work with them, on their own and restore the circuit.
7. If has worn heating element, it is also possible to replace yourself. At the same time check the communication and control unit.
8. In the case of the touch panel fault is better to turn to specialists. Especially if it occurred after the water entering the inside of the device.
9. If the surface of the crack has gone, it will have to be replaced, but only in a specialized workshop.

At the induction hob the features.

• if the plate does not react to switch on and off, possibly triggered protection switching system. For example, this may occur if the diameter of the dishes is not suitable to the burner;
• long warming dishes or weak. The reason may be that in a pot. Her bottom should be perfectly flat, otherwise the panel it simply does not "feel";
• spontaneously activated. The instrument can is a metal object, which it perceives as dishes and includes heating. Sometimes even the switch causes salt;
• completely refuses to work. Most likely, the faulty electrical wiring. "Prozvonit" chain and blown.

The gas hob nozzle located most often damaged. They hammered and do not release gas - rinse, wipe dry, and dry well. Sometimes it does not work piezo ignition. It simply must be cleaned.

Many modern devices have a display that shows all system errors. Each of them have a code whose decoding indicated in the instruction manual.

Manufacturers hobs

Manufacturers hobs much competition for tough buyer. There were even embedded devices production of our countrymen: "Darina", "Hephaestus", De Luxe, BCA.

Customers felt the convenience and comfort of hobs to the choice seem like thoroughly. Much example more steel choose gas device with the "triple crown" (up to 4.2 kW power). Or combined surface.

This idea is not like many manufacturers, but some still produce devices with gas burners and cast iron burners: Zanussi, Korting, Zigmund & Shtain or Hansa.

Gas and glass ceramics combine Electrolux and Gorenje. Surfaces with a brazier - grill release Candy, Samsung and Hotpoint-Ariston.

Stylish gas panel manufactured by Bosch and Simens, Whirlpool.

Gas hidden under glass and Hansa Kuppersberg. Devices not relished consumers and Kuppersberg model disappeared from stores.