How to choose a gas hob?

The built-in gas hob is an ergonomic, compact solution for a modern kitchen. And if you decide to abandon the usual monoblock scheme "gas stove + oven" in favor of an independent panel with heating elements, today we will tell you how to choose a gas hob among a wide variety of options and models.

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What is the difference between a hob and a cooker?

The built in natural gas cooker is very economical, as the gas burners installed on it quickly heat the food. The best modern models are equipped with unique burners with two or three rows of flame, which significantly reduces cooking time and boiling water. And in order to cook a dish with minimal heat, you can use burners with a hidden flame. Such a fire makes it possible to evenly heat the entire surface of the dishes.

The gas hob is almost always equipped with an electric ignition, which allows you to use the stove without using matches.

Unlike gas stoves, the built-in panel does not take up much space, sometimes completely unused. Many housewives do not use the oven, which is equipped with a stove and this locker turns into a storage for old pans. The hob solves this problem at once, in addition, it can always be arranged taking into account the wishes of the hostess and in any convenient place.

Very often there is a small space between the stove and the kitchen furniture, which eventually fills with grease, debris and dirt. With the hob, such problems do not arise in principle. If you compare the gas panel with the electrical and inductive analog, the gas model is the cheapest and easiest to operate. Of course, the gas panel is inferior to the electronic fancy to its "relatives", but the panel, which works on gas, reacts much more quickly to changes in cooking modes( decrease, addition and switching-off of the flame).

Summing up the above, we will highlight the following advantages of the built-in gas panel:

• High efficiency.
• Significantly shortens cooking time.
• Equipments with electric ignition.
• Compactness.
• Does not take up much space.
• You can always choose a convenient location.
• Simple care.
• Equipped with a modern control and monitoring system.
• The cooking process is simple and safe.
• Modern design.

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Equipment disadavals

When selecting cooking surfaces, the drawbacks of gas devices must also be taken into account:

• Gas is always a source of increased danger. Handling it requires a number of rules.
• The installation of gas appliances and the transfer of their position in the kitchen will require mandatory coordination with specialized organizations.
• All technological work must be performed by specialists of the gas service.
• All gas panels are less susceptible to any automation.

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Criteria for choosing a gas cooker

To correctly select a gas hob, several factors must be taken into account at once:

• Device dimensions.
• Surface material.
• Type and number of burners.
• Necessary functions for cooking.

Consider all these factors in more detail to help you choose the best gas hob.

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Choose the design type and size

Constructively distinguish two types of instruments:

• Dependent.
• Independent.

Which design to choose is up to the owner. We will acquaint you with the main structural differences:

• Independent gas hobs have a separate control panel and are independent of the type and device of the oven. Such units allow you to completely abandon the oven or place the oven in any other place that is convenient for you. The autonomous cooking surface can be controlled both by mechanical swivel arms and by touch buttons.
• Dependent devices are installed only in the complete set with an oven and do not have switches of burners. The hob can only be operated from the panel on the oven surface. This design resembles a stationary gas stove.

Important! A dependent built-in surface and oven must be purchased from one manufacturer, since only in this case the dimensions of the devices will match and there will be no conflict in the control system.

As for the size of the device. If you are thinking about how to choose a gas hob, it means that you need to save the kitchen space:

1. The vast majority of models are brought to the standard: width - 600 mm, depth - 520-530 mm.
2. However, this is not a dogma, as if you want, you can choose a wider model of 75 cm and even 90 cm.
3. Conversely, if you have enough two burners, you can choose a narrower model, with a width of only 45 cm or 50 cm.

Important! In addition, there are a number of models performed on the principle of "dominoes", that is, the modular design consists of elements with a width of 30 cm, and depending on the needs, the consumer chooses the required number of modules.

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Which gas hob is better for the type of material?

Recessed panels differ in the material of the work surface.

Metal with enameled coating

This is the most inexpensive, low-cost option. The steel base is covered with glossy enamel. Such surfaces are made in different colors and designs, so it's easy to choose a gas hob in accordance with the kitchen façade. The greatest demand is for enamels of various shades of white, but you can choose a deep blue color, and a cheerful orange.

Enamel panels are strong enough, but taking care of them requires some effort, as enameled steel quickly loses its protective properties and any scratch can damage the surface.

Important! An open flame on the surface can also cause darkening of the enamel.

Surface in stainless steel

Such panels are stronger than enamel, however they are not too practical, since they require special care. Manufacturers offer surfaces in polished and matte finish. To advantages, except for the price, it is possible to carry characteristic metallic shine and beauty. Panels are not afraid of blows and high temperatures, they are easily and quickly cleaned.

Disadvantages, which need to be remembered before choosing a gas hob with this material:

• , all dirt, fingerprints of greasy and dirty fingers, traces of boiled liquid are very visible on the surface.
• for surface care requires special household products.

Glass ceramics

Glass-ceramic surfaces guarantee a stylish design and high burner output. Glass ceramics is a strong, reliable material with absolutely smooth and smooth surface. Care of this surface is not difficult, but for the cleaning of glass ceramics special chemical compounds are needed.

Important! It should be remembered that glass ceramics are very sensitive to mechanical damage and can not tolerate the surface of sugar-containing products. It is almost impossible to rinse sugar without breaking the integrity of the decorative surface of the panel.

Tempered glass

Tempered glass is an alternative to expensive glass ceramics. Panels created using the technology of "gas on glass" are not inferior in terms of external appeal to glass ceramics, but they are cheaper, practical and easy to clean. In this version, a combination of protective and tempered glass is used.

Hardened glass surfaces are easy to clean and wash, have high performance and a great appearance. This coating is convenient for everyone, but it requires careful handling, since any accented impact of the surface can give a crack.

Important! When choosing a surface of tempered glass, pay special attention to the grate - it should have rubber tips. Do not purchase a plate with a grate without such tips, since without them the grating will scratch the glass surface.

Always pay attention to the material of the panel grilles. Traditional gratings are made of stainless steel, but more durable and practical gratings made of cast iron.

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Number and type of burners

Only natural gas burners are installed in the gas hobs, which can have different modifications:

• Standard with one flame row.
• "Double crown" with an ordinary fire divider. Thanks to the divider, two circles of flame are formed.
• "Triple Crown" with a double divider and three flame circles. Burners of this type are very economical and allow heating food in the shortest possible time. This is the best gas hob if you need to cook large amounts of food.
• Grilling plate. The burner is a grate with heating elements located under it. It is used for cooking meat, fish or vegetables without oil and dishes. It is installed only on wide surfaces.
• The WOK ring has 3-4 rows of flame and a special stand for dishes with a spherical or conical bottom. Has a concave shape and increased power.
• An elliptical burner. It is used for preparation of dishes in the corresponding outstretched dishes.

Useful advices:

• The surface dimensions should correspond to the number of burners. Compact models with a large number of burners can not accommodate several pans at the same time.
• The average family is 3-4 burners.

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Switch type

Most models use mechanical or electromechanical control with the usual cylindrical handwheels, which can be pivotable or recessed into the panel. The heated switches look more presentable, in addition, they simplify the care of the surface and make it impossible to accidentally turn on the plate.

Important! There are more modern devices with a touch control of each burner and with an electronic temperature indicator. Such models allow you to quickly select the heating power level.

The ignition system, which is also an important criterion when choosing a gas hob, exists in two forms:

• The spark is supplied when pressing a special button common to all burners. For this type of ignition, the interaction of two hands is necessary: ​​one - opens the gas supply, the other - presses the ignition button.
• The gas is opened and the spark is supplied simultaneously. This is a more convenient option: with one hand on the flywheel of a particular burner, the gas is ignited.

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Useful additional functions of

gas hobs The most useful and useful functions of the device are:

• Gas control. This option ensures the safety of the device. The supply of gas ceases immediately if the flame for some reason goes out.
• Overheating protection. The fire will be turned off if, for example, in the forgotten teapot completely boiled water on the stove.
• Locking the gas supply to all the burners with a single push. A special button allows you to block the operation of the panel and, thereby, increases the safety of its use. This is a very important option, especially in families with children, so that they can not cause any emergency situations with their careless actions.
• Sleep timer. A good additional function that is able not only to sound an alarm, but also to shut off the gas at the set time. The built-in timer allows you to program the cooking time of the dish.
• "Recording in memory" will make it possible to make the cooking time of your favorite dishes into the program of the device, up to changing the intensity of the flame.
• Disables the burners if no user commands are received.
• Electric ignition. Cooking gas surfaces can be equipped with an ignition device with an electric spark. Electric ignition may be mechanical or automatic.
• "Repojig".This function is not available on all models. The meaning of the additional option is that when the flame is extinguished, the ignition is re-automatic. If the flame does not turn on when you turn it back on, then the gas supply stops.

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How to choose the right hob: useful tips

To make the right choice, go to the choice seriously. Which gas hob is better - depends on how responsible the manufacturer went to equipping the surface. When choosing a technique, pay attention to the following elements:

• Lattices. They can be separate( for each burner) or constitute an integral element of the equipment of the plate. Of course, sectional grilles are more convenient to wash, but there is a risk that during cooking they will move from side to side. Therefore, pay special attention not only to the strength of the grate, but also to the reliability of its attachment to the surface of the panel.
• Gas burners. It is important not only the number and location of the burners, but also their size. It is advisable that at least one burner is larger than others, since sometimes you will have to use large cooking utensils. The burners must be positioned in such a way that the dishes do not interfere with each other, even during simultaneous use of all the elements of the plate. The burners can differ also in the power of the gas supply.
• Control knobs. Electromechanical control system is considered more convenient and safe than mechanical.

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Gas hob - which firm is better?

You can choose a gas cooker in one of three categories:

• High-quality elite equipment. The first category includes the panels of the following companies: AEG, Miele, Gaggenau, Kuppersberg. AEG is one of the leaders in this field. All models of the company are equipped with "gas control" protection systems, and possible overheating. The company pays great attention to safety, many models are equipped with indicators of heating temperature and residual heat. The true connoisseurs of modern technology speak very well of Kuppersberg's stylish tempered glass panels. A full package of all possible additional functions, automatic ignition, cast-iron grilles - all this puts the panel in the category of elite.
• Medium technology. This category includes the technique of the following companies: Electrolux, Whirlpool, Siemens, Gorenje, Bosch, Zanussi. The technique of these manufacturers has an optimal ratio of price and quality. In this group a fairly wide range of models from inexpensive to "advanced".
• Budget technique. Affordable prices are by no means an evidence of poor quality. In this category there are hobs with enamel and stainless surface, having a different number of burners, differing in functionality and design. The best gas hobs in this group are Ardo, Hansa, Ariston.

To properly select a functional gas hob, pay attention to its characteristics and determine for yourself a set of the most important additional options, so as not to overpay for "bells and whistles."And of course, the best choice of the device is a functional panel from the well-known manufacturer of the middle price category. We hope that our information has helped you make your choice and you are happy to cook your favorite dishes on the hob.