If you are seriously thinking about making a major overhaul in the kitchen, then you definitely need to take care not only of the choice of the kitchen unit, but also of home appliances. Of course, the most important figure in the kitchen is ... a refrigerator. Well, without him nowhere. And on the second place, undoubtedly, there will be a plate or its more modern and compact analog - a cooking surface. If you want to enjoy cooking on it, and not to run around the service centers in search of broken elements, then we recommend you read this article to the end and become an expert in choosing cooking surfaces!
Main selection criteria
So, we turn to the basics, from which we will build on in the future. To make the right choice, we will first need to decide on the following parameters of the hob.
Type of hob
Depending on the connection method, the hobs are divided into:
- Gas;
- Electric.
If you have a gas pipeline at home or a gas cylinder in the country, feel free to install a gas model. It will be much faster to cook on it, and you will have to pay less for resources (in this case, natural gas) than for electricity.
Electric cooking surfaces are more common because they are safer and more environmentally friendly. If you have small curious children at home, then it is better for you to make a choice in favor of such a model. Let the cook have a little longer, but the range of the proposed panels will be wider.
Hob design
When choosing, it is necessary to pay attention to whether the model you like is independent, that is, able to work without an oven. If you cook infrequently and do not experiment too much, then you better buy an independent cooking surface. If you want to expand your culinary skills, then later purchase a separate oven.
If you can’t imagine home cooking without baked dishes, you can choose a hob of a dependent type. Attention! Not all models of hobs are combined with ovens, even within the product line of one manufacturer. Check with the seller this question and choose from those models that fit together.
Material
In this matter, you can rely solely on your own preferences, because all existing coatings have similar properties. What materials do you have to choose from?
- Enamel - inexpensive, resistant to high temperatures; used for coating gas hobs and electric panels with convex rings. The disadvantage is difficult cleaning from dried fat stains.
- Aluminum - inexpensive material, heat resistant and durable. Disadvantage: scratches easily appear on it, even from powder cleaning.
- Stainless steel - more expensive material with high strength. Disadvantage: even small specks are perfectly visible on it.
- Strained glass It is almost the same as stainless steel, but taking care of it is easier.
- Glass ceramics - the most durable material of the above, but also the most expensive. Easy to clean, does not heat up when used (if the burners are induction).
additional characteristics
For a snack, consider the additional features possessed by the best modern members of the class of cooking stoves.
- Rings of a special form and purpose allow you to use dishes of any size - from huge pots to utyatnits with an oval bottom.
- Induction burners Do not allow the glass hob to heat up.
- Halogen burners and torchesHi-Light on the glass ceramic hob warmed up with maximum speed - just 5-10 seconds after switching on.
- Gas control necessary for gas surfaces, since it shuts off the fuel supply on its own, if the flame suddenly died out.
- Auto power off will save energy for forgetful cooks. This feature will turn off the electrical panel if it is idle for some time.
- Recipe memory - A great feature that will make life easier for busy housewives. When you activate this option, the hob will remember the right cooking time, and the next time you will not have to watch the dish - the hob will stop working at the right time.
- Child Protection - an important function that is able to block the control panel, so that children do not accidentally turn on the hob while playing.
Top manufacturers
As a main dish - the rating of the most popular manufacturers of hobs that have an undoubted reputation as reliable brands that produce goods of the highest quality.
Let's start with a low price category up to 5000 rubles. In this range, you can purchase small hobs with two electric or gas burners. The coating of such models will be enamel or aluminum. The most popular and reliable are such inexpensive models as Hansa, MBS, Simfer.
In the middle price category from 5 to 15 thousand rubles, a more diverse range of models of electric and gas cooktops with various coatings is presented. And you can choose the design of the panel itself, the number and method of arrangement of the burners. We advise you to pay attention to the products of the following companies: Ardesia, Bosch, Siemens, Samsung, Indesit, Hotpoint-Ariston, Whirlpool, Zanussi, Hansa. Sensational brands speak for themselves.
If you want to buy a hob, made by the original design of the best materials, then you have to spend more than 15,000 rubles. In this price segment lead Siemens, Bosch, Electrolux, Asko, Kaiser, Smeg, Ardesia, AEG and Korting.
Common customer mistakes
Here we come to the dessert - the most stupid mistakes that too quick buyers can make. Check them out before you run to the store, and you will save yourself from rash purchases.
- Today, in home appliances stores you can buy hobs of any shape - from a classic square to a semicircle, oval or rainbow shape. Do not rush to acquire the panel of an unusual shape - first you need to make sure that such a model fits into the working panel of the kitchen set. Note that there must be a distance of at least 10 centimeters from the gas panel to the wall, and only 4 from the electrical one. Take all the necessary measurements and then go on a search.
- If you are not ready to spend a decent amount on the purchase of special dishes, then do not purchase a glass-ceramic cooking surface. Many buyers spend the last money on a stylish shiny panel, and then simply “kill” it with ordinary dishes. Do not enter their number! Calculate your funds in advance!
- Buying a hob with a large number of burners of different shapes may not always be a good idea. If there are no more than 4 people in your family, and there is also an oven and a slow cooker in your kitchen arsenal, then three or four rings will be enough for you. Why overpay? Yes, and then have to wash a lot more, although the cooking will be involved only one pair of burners.
We wish you to make the right choice and enjoy delicious homemade food!
