How to choose a stove - expert reviews

When choosing a cooker you should pay attention primarily to the type of device, as well as its ergonomic qualities.

content

1. How to choose a stove: selection criteria
2. Types of cookers - the advantages and disadvantages
3. The number and types of burners
4. Oven type
5. Work surface material
6. Functional features
7. Top manufacturers
8. Cooking Video

How to choose a stove: selection criteria

When choosing a cooker, consider the following parameters:

1. Type (gas, electric with an open spiral, electric with a closed spiral, induction);

2. The number and types of burners;

3. Oven type;

4. The material of the working panel.

5. Also important is the manufacturer of the device.

Types of cookers - the advantages and disadvantages

From the point of view of the energy source for heating elements, kitchen stoves are divided into gas, electric (with open and closed helix), as well as induction.

Gas cooker

The vast majority of traditional models of stoves work on gas. In the burners of such devices, methane burns, and the open flame heats the dishes installed on the oven.

The main of these drawbacks, of course, is the high level of fire hazard due to two factors. First, such plates assume work with naked flame. And secondly, the methane gas used in them is flammable and may explode if leaking.

Electric cookers are free from this drawback.

Open Spiral Electric Cookers

By "spiral" in this case is meant the heating element. It can really be both spiral (in ultrabudgetary models) and disk. Externally, these plates are similar to ordinary gas, but do not have a grill, and instead of the burners they have heating elements.

At a price comparable to the price of a conventional gas stove, electric ones offer greater fire safety.

Electric stoves with a closed spiral (glass-ceramic surface)

In such devices, the spiral heating element is hidden behind the front glass panel. This allows it to heat up to very high temperatures, providing a high rate of cooking or boiling water.

Very fast heating of such a plate makes it an ideal solution for lovers of Oriental cuisine, as well as just people who tend to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible.

Electric induction cookers

In induction electric stoves, a magnetic coil is used instead of a traditional heating element. It, as the name implies, “induces induction” in a dish installed on the stove, heating the pan or frying pan itself, and not the space around it. Rings of such plates always remain cold.

Due to the directivity, the level of the magnetic field generated by the induction cooker is very low - in fact, even an ordinary household hairdryer creates a much more powerful “radiation”.

However, induction hobs are just the perfect choice for use in homes where there are small children or elderly people. On the surface of such a furnace can not be burned, and the accidental inclusion will not lead to any negative consequences (except for the overspending of electricity, of course).

Combined plates

Also, combination plates are rarely found. Their design includes both gas burners and electric heaters with an open or closed spiral. The main advantage of such stoves is that they can work when one of the utilities is turned off (gas or electricity, respectively).

However, structurally such plates are far from perfect. The presence of the grill on the gas burners can prevent the removal of dishes from the electric. And during active operation, both gas and “light” are consumed, which leads to an increase in the cost of a “communal”.

The number and types of burners

The standard number of burners, historically established and optimal for home use, is four. The vast majority of cooking stoves of both gas and electric types are equipped with just such a number of heating elements.

Some narrow models are equipped with two burners. But they are quite rare. Similarly, wide models of gas stoves are equipped with 5-6 rings. However, due to the high cost and non-standard design, they are not very suitable for ordinary home use.

Thus, it is the 4-burner stove that is the ideal choice for a home.

Types of burners in gas stoves

Rings in gas stoves differ solely in size and number of "crowns" - rings from which the flame escapes:

1. “Single Crown” is a classic version, which often does not even have its own name. The flame escapes exclusively from the holes on the outside of the burner. Almost all gas stoves from the budget or middle price segment are made with such burners;

2. "Double Crown" - a modern version. The gas horn in such burners is equipped with a nozzle with a special design that allows you to get two rings of fire - external and internal. "Double crown" provides a greater rate of heating dishes than conventional burners;

3. The Triple Crown is also known as a turbo hob. The nozzle has a complex structure, which provides three rings of fire - external, internal and central. Such hobs heat up dishes and products even faster, so that water boils almost instantly.

For operation of the “double corona” and “triple corona” burners, a sufficiently high gas pressure in the pipes is required. Otherwise, the intensity of the inner rings of fire will be rather weak, and there will be little practical benefit from them.

Types of burners in electric cookers

Rings in electric stoves differ not only in size, but also in functionality, as well as in type. In various models you can find:

1. Oval heating surfaces. The rings of the extended form intended for the corresponding ware. They can also be used in the “Bridge” mode for heating large-sized saucepans (and coasters in the event of disconnection of hot water);

2. Multi-circuit burners are able to change their size to the diameter of the installed dishes. Thanks to this, you can significantly save electricity by eliminating the inefficient consumption of heating space around the pan or pan. Some models of multi-contour burners are equipped with Autofocus, which automatically adjusts the width of the “hot” zone. The optimal number of circuits in such a burner is 3;

3. Halogen burners are special heating elements that reach the set temperature within 2-3 seconds after switching on. The logical development of technology are Hi-Light speakers, warming up almost instantly.

The capabilities of the burners in electric cookers are expanded due to the additional functionality:

1. Sleep timer;

2. The mode of accelerated boiling (first, the burner is heated to the maximum temperature, and after boiling water "cools" to the level of heat, which is enough to maintain the boil);

3. Protective stopping of the burners after some time of inactivity;

4. A residual heat indicator that shows while the hotplate is hot enough.

It is clear that not all functions can be technically implemented in plates of various types. For example, the residual heat indicator is not installed on induction panels due to the absence of any heat.

Oven type

Regardless of the type of hob, the oven in the kitchen stove can be both gas and electric. The only "but" is that in the presence of induction hobs the size of the oven can be very small, and the cost of the entire device is extremely high. This is due to the need for a dense screening of the oven from electromagnetic fields.

1. Gas ovens - the most traditional option. The horns installed in them provide very fast and powerful warming up, and can also maintain the temperature at the highest values. Also among the advantages of a gas oven, you can make a low price. The disadvantages of gas ovens are the same. Firstly, such devices have a high fire hazard, caused, among other things, by the risk of blowing out or extinguishing the nozzle. And secondly, gas ovens very poorly regulate and maintain the temperature, overheating every now and then, which leads to a deterioration in the taste of dishes.

2. Electric ovens heat up more slowly than gas and cost significantly more.But they are fire safe and keep the temperature at a given level. Due to this, the risk of burning products in such an oven is minimal.

Despite the existence of electric stoves with gas ovens and gas stoves with electric ovens, it is worth choosing stoves in which the hob and oven are made using the same technology. This greatly simplifies installation. If the installation features are not particularly concerned, then you can choose any configuration.

Work surface material

The working surface of cookers can be made of stainless steel without enamel coating and with it, as well as glass-ceramic or tempered glass.

1. Stainless steel without enamel coating is the most cost-effective material that is found only in the cheapest models of cookers. Despite its reliability and durability, it is easily scratched and poorly laundered from any burnt or stuck dirt. The enamel coating makes it more practical.

2. Enamel coated stainless steel is the most common body material for cookers. It can be used in gas devices, and in electric with an open spiral. Thanks to enamel, stainless steel, being a sufficiently strong and durable material, also becomes very practical. It is badly polluted and easy to clean, and you can use almost any kind of cleaning agent.

3. Glass ceramics is the material of the cooking surface of cookers that use a closed spiral or induction coil. It is durable, it is easy to wash off most of the dirt (except for stuck sugar), practically does not squeeze or scratch. The disadvantage of glass-ceramic is high mechanical fragility - it can be broken by a strong blow of some sharp object. However, alternatives for induction coil electric burners simply do not exist.

4. Tempered glass can be used in both gas and electric stoves. However, in the first case, it has an exclusively decorative function, and in the second - a decorative and practical one. That is, in gas stoves, dishes are placed on a cast-iron grate, and in electric ones - directly on a glass surface.

Tempered glass has a fairly high mechanical strength, easy to wash off most of the various contaminants (especially stuck sugar) and has a very beautiful and unusual design. However, it is fragile. Like glass ceramics, it can be broken by hitting a sharp object. Another disadvantage is a very high price.

Functional features

Among the additional features and functional features of cookers, which are very practical for home use, can be identified:

1. Boost mode. Occurs in induction hobs. Like special burners, it increases the heating rate of dishes for fast boiling or cooking;

2. Child protection. It is found in induction and electric stoves. Locks control and setting changes until a particular key or key combination is pressed. Makes stove safer;

3. Automatic programs, off timer and recipe memorization mode. Found in electric and induction hobs. Simplify cooking;

4. Delayed start timer. Automates the process of cooking. It is found in electric and induction cookers;

5. Automatic arson. It is found in gas stoves. Allows you to save on matches and makes operation safer.

Top models of electrical and induction plates are also equipped with an information LCD display, touch controls and other high-tech solutions.

Top manufacturers

The best manufacturers of gas cookers are:

1. Gefest, Darina, De Luxe - in the budget price segment;

2. Gorenje, Beko - in the middle and top price segment;

3. Hansa, Electrolux - in the top price segment.

The best manufacturers of electric cookers are:

1. Darina, Flama - in the budget price segment;

2. Beko, Gorenje, Hansa - in the middle price segment;

3. Electrolux, Bosch, Gefest - in the top price segment.

4. And the best manufacturers of induction plates are Hansa and Electrolux.

Cooking Video

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.