Which hob is better - stainless steel or glass?

The hob has become an integral part of the modern kitchen set. Such a device allows saving a lot of space, and by its characteristics it is not inferior to the usual electric or gas stove. The assortment of hobs in the store is huge, they differ in quality, functionality and, of course, material. So, most often stainless steel, glass ceramics and enamel for budget models, as well as tempered glass are used. If you decide to choose a hob, it is important to know which hob is better - stainless steel or glass?

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Stainless steel hob

Stainless steel is the most practical and reliable material. He can withstand even severe mechanical damage, blows and pressure of quite a large weight. A big plus of such a panel - is available for sale electric or gas options, which allows you to choose a surface depending on the type of energy in the apartment. But to decide which hob is better - stainless steel or glass, is still after acquaintance with the full list of features of each species.

Important! The main characteristic of the stainless steel hob is the composition and quality of the alloy. It is believed that the more chromium is contained in the alloy, the higher its quality.

Modern models are available in two versions - matte or mirror. The choice of the type of surface depends entirely on the design of the kitchen and the preferences of the customers.

Features of stainless steel cooking surfaces:

• There are 2 to 4 burners on the work surface. As a rule, they are different in power, which allows you to cope with any difficulties in cooking. In addition, the presence of 4 hotplates will be a big plus for a large family, and also, if you like to cook a lot and using different dishes - the burners should be different in area.
• Gas panels made of stainless steel are almost always equipped with cast-iron grilles, which are quite stable and do not allow to turn over the dishes. When choosing a surface, it is advisable to prefer a separate grate - this will help when cleaning the slab.
• When buying a gas panel, be sure to pay attention to the burner switches. So, it is desirable to have a gas intake control system, as well as automatic ignition functions. In addition, mechanical option is preferable - this will help to avoid electronics malfunction, and subsequently gas leakage.
• The electric hob quickly heats up and cools down for a long time, which saves on electricity during cooking.

Important! Stainless steel is unpretentious in maintenance. But cleaning it should be regular and systematic. If you do not clean stainless steel for a long time, the dirt penetrates into the metal so much that it will be almost impossible to get rid of it.

Care for the surface of stainless steel

When choosing which cooking surface is better - stainless steel or glass, the characteristics of care often play an important role, since the stove is constantly dirty with grease, food residues, it forms a deposit.

Stainless steel is, of course, less whimsical in the care, in addition, this material withstands rather strong mechanical damage, which allows using even the most aggressive means and different sponges. However, if you start the mud, the stove will lose its attractiveness.

When washing the stainless steel hob, the following recommendations should be adhered to:

• After each cooking, it is necessary to wipe the surface with a detergent, cloth or sponge. Remains of foam are easily cleaned with plain water. Only this simple rule will save the surface from accumulated dirt, food debris and carbon deposits.
• It is not recommended to use coarse brushes and sponges, especially metal wool. This will lead to scratches and cracks on the surface.
• When choosing a cleanser, pay attention to the composition. Stainless steel is very sensitive to chlorides, as well as substances with small particles - soda, sand, granules, etc. It is best to use liquid or cream for cleaning. If the contamination is very persistent, then pour the detergent composition on the stove for a few minutes and then clean it.
• After cleaning, it is recommended to use special oil for stainless steel, and then - to polish the surface with a clean rag. This will help create a waterproof layer that keeps dirt and food leftovers.
• Be sure to use gloves when cleaning. This will protect your hands from chemical burns and drying.

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Glass ceramic hob

Perhaps this is the most stylish and luxurious material for your kitchen. The panel of such material not only has excellent heat-resistant functions, but it looks stylish. However, this material requires very careful use and constant maintenance.

Important! Glass-ceramics are used for gas and electric surfaces, as well as modern induction cookers. The hob from glass ceramics will fit into any interior and will last a long time with proper care.

Features of glass-ceramic plates:

• The main advantage of glass-ceramics is the ability to conduct heat purposefully. So, not all of the surface is heated, but only the necessary zone for cooking, which is better than stainless steel or enamel. Glass ceramics for this reason is much more economical. The food is heated faster, while the electricity consumption is much less.
• Big plus - modal cooking zones. If you cook food in a small saucepan, then only the area under it turns on. But if you put a chicken on this hotplate, the entire zone will work. The control of such a system is manual and intelligent - the function of autofocus( AF).
• Not every dish is suitable for glass ceramic surfaces. For example, pots of aluminum or enamel can simply "not be read" by the device. Therefore, buying a plate is often accompanied by the purchase of new dishes.
• Huge lack of surface of glass ceramics - high price. As a rule, even the simplest models are much higher in price than even the best stainless steel plates. In addition, you will have to give a lot of money for related products to care for the hob - special brushes, detergents.
• Glass ceramic surface can not boast of strength and reliability. This material is very sensitive to mechanical damage. A punch of a pot or a falling knife with the point down can damage the heating element.
• Temperature changes also damage the surface. For example, if you put dishes from the refrigerator on the stove, and then turn it on, there may be cracks on the surface.

Care for glass ceramic hob

When comparing what is better - stainless steel or glass ceramics, it is necessary to understand that a plate of glass ceramics requires very careful and accurate cleaning. In addition, the surface itself is incredibly marking - fingerprints, drops of water, small dust particles are very noticeable on a matte black surface.

It is necessary to adhere to certain points in the care of glass-ceramic:

• Do not use sponges, rags and brushes made of coarse materials. It is advisable to get a special rag to clean the glass. Remains of food and hard mud are most conveniently cleaned with a special scraper.
• Choose a detergent exclusively for a similar surface, and, of course, you can not use dry formulations - this will leave strong scuffs and marks on the surface.
• It is not recommended to hang kitchen utensils directly above the stove. In the event of a fall of even a light object, cracks may form, which subsequently leads to expensive repairs or the replacement of the surface.

Important! Often, without determining which cooking surface is best - stainless steel or glass, choose the so-called "gas on the glass."This is a ceramic glass plate that uses gas for heating. No doubt, cooking on such a surface is a pleasure, because the flame creates a very nice effect, and the food is prepared quickly and efficiently. But such a surface is the most whimsical. Care for her should be extremely cautious - any crack will lead to a gas leak into the apartment.

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Tempered glass - an alternative to glass-ceramic

The progress does not stand still and the recently emerged hobs of glass-ceramics came tempered glass. To date, this is one of the most reliable and beautiful materials for a gas cooker.

Its properties and characteristics:

• It has excellent heat resistance characteristics, besides it is resistant to sudden temperature changes. If you put a pan on the surface of the refrigerator to heat the food, cracks do not form.
• Although the installation of the tempered glass plate is more difficult, but this material is flexible and perfectly adapts to surface irregularities.
• The material is extremely resistant to mechanical influences, so no longer need to be afraid of the formation of chips and cracks after the impact of utensils and kitchen utensils.
• Tempered glass is easier to clean - it does not require much care, unlike glass ceramics. In fact, it is not inferior to the metal in its characteristics.

Important! Today it is extremely difficult to find a fully electric plate made of tempered glass. Typically, this material is used for gas models. In this case, a big plus of this material - it does not heat up, so the stove can be washed immediately after cooking.

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Which surface is better - stainless steel or glass ceramics?

So, when choosing which surface to choose, it is important to take into account two main points:

1. If you have a gas to the apartment, it is more practical and reliable to have a surface made of stainless steel. Modern models of gas stoves are very convenient and practical, so they can cope with any culinary tasks and fit into any interior. In addition, stainless steel is less whimsical in terms of care. But when using electricity, both glass ceramics and metal are suitable.
2. The second important thing is cleaning the plate. If you do not have the desire and time to constantly care about the appearance of the surface, then the glass ceramics will not suit you. In addition, intensive use of the plate implies frequent cleaning. Therefore, such a surface is not the best option for a large family.

For the rest of the parameters, stainless steel and glass ceramics are practically equivalent materials.

If you decide to upgrade the slab, it is very important to competently approach the choice of new equipment. It is difficult to say unambiguously what is better - stainless steel or glass ceramics, because everything depends on the characteristics of the kitchen, the preferences of the buyer, and also the design features. Both options have their pros and cons, which allows you to rationally approach the purchase and choose a good model within your budget.