Gas hob: modern, stylish, functional

The gas hob is new to many. Not everyone knows what functions and parameters it has. We will tell you about the interesting qualities that this modern technique has and what the buyer should pay attention to so that it becomes a faithful assistant to the hostess and a stylish decoration in the kitchen.

 

The advantage of gas over electricity

There are three types of hobs:

• gas;
• electrical;
• combined.

Which is better: gas or electricity? Both have advantages and disadvantages. Those who have already made up their minds do not need advice. And for those who are still looking closely, we will voice several reasons that make many housewives make a choice in favor of gas surfaces:

• No need to change wiring. Modern electric hob it is forbidden to connect to wiring that is not designed for increased load. Otherwise, a short circuit in the network will occur or the cable will simply burn out, because electrical panels consume up to 9 kW, for which not a single outlet is designed.
• The gas stove does not consume electricity (only to ignite the burner). What can not be said about electrical engineering: in some models, the total power of the burners reaches 9 kW.
• Cooking on a gas surface is unaffected by power outages.
• No problem with the choice of dishes. And for an electric surface, you need to take dishes with a flat bottom, which will correspond to the size of the burner. The type of metal also matters: a copper or aluminum saucepan will leave a dark mark and ruin the hob permanently.
• Gas surfaces are cheaper than electrical ones.
• A gas stove is more economical in terms of energy costs: the price of gas is lower than the cost of electricity.
• More ergonomic: the gas panel heats up and cools down faster than the electric one.
• The gas surface is clear and traditional. And this is also the reason that many housewives do not want to see an electric one in their kitchen.

TOP 3 Bosch gas hobs

1. Bosch PCP6A6M90
2. Bosch PCP611B90E
3. Bosch Serie 2 PBP6C5B90

Dependent or independent

Before taking this kitchen appliance, think about whether you need an oven. And if necessary, in which niche it will be installed: under the hob, at the countertop level or in the kitchen cabinet. It depends on which panel is better to take:

• addicted. It is connected to the oven with a common control and a gas pipe. And in some models, the control is placed on the front of the oven;
• or independent. A more popular type of stove, since it allows you to choose any convenient place for the oven, or completely abandon it.

Manufacturing material

An important criterion, since the price and care depend on it.

• Enamelled steel plates. They should be taken by buyers whose budget is limited. In addition, such built-in appliances do not require special maintenance (you cannot use abrasive detergents), and their weight is low.Choosing a color to match the kitchen is not a problem: the color scheme is varied. There are glossy and matte panels, powder paint is used to make the latter. The enameled plate is afraid of impacts, since metal corrosion will occur at the site of the chip.
• Steel cookers. A more practical choice: It is harder to scratch it, but it will dent after the impact. You can also choose a plate not only with a glossy, but also a matte surface. But you will have to clean it often: not only traces of cooking are visible on it, but also fingerprints.
• Tempered glass panels. Taking "gas under glass" is not cheap, but profitable: a variety of colors, drawings, touch controls - all this allows you to choose equipment for any interior. For example, a white ornamented surface will become an exquisite highlight of any kitchen. It is worth remembering that the glass plate is shock-resistant. Weight, per burner, more than 15 kg is not recommended.
• Glass ceramic hobs... Disadvantage: the high cost of such a plate. Increased thermal conductivity - this property of glass ceramics is in demand in electrical panels, but not in gas ones. However, a properly selected glass-ceramic technique is modern and practical: everything except burning sugar is easily removed from it.

TOP-3 MAUNFELD gas hobs

1. MAUNFELD EGHG 64.2CB / G
2. MAUNFELD EGHS 32.3ES / G
3. MAUNFELD EGHG 32.2CW / G

Appearance

Here manufacturers have tried to satisfy any, even the most fastidious tastes of buyers.

• Standard built-in model: the cooking zones are correctly positioned in the corners.
• Single row model: it is better to take it for a narrow and long table top, since all burners are located in a row. Do not forget that the size of the slab along the front can reach more than one meter.
• Curvilinear shape. For example, you can opt for a built-in arched surface. This design is convenient, since all burners are perfectly visible.
• Corner shape: Popular in kitchens where the worktop forms an angle. This gas hob is a great space saver.
• Domino shape. The most interesting "installation". Of course, it costs more, but it allows you to select several segments and arrange not only four, but also six hotplates. Or purchase sections - work surfaces where there are built-in household appliances: food processors, braziers, deep fryers, grill grates, hoods, steamers.

It is also worth considering how many functional cooking zones you need. There are models with two to five burners. Typically, the fifth hotplate is elliptical and centered.

Hotplate shape

There is such a variety here that it is sometimes difficult to decide which stove is better to buy? Depending on the functionality, you can choose the hob where the burners are installed:

• classic round - differ in diameter, the number of flame crowns;
• quadrangular - they look stylish, but this form does not differ in functionality;
• oblong - provide uniform heating, are used for ducklings, other dishes with an oval bottom;
• spiral - in them, the flame is regulated not only in intensity, but also along the length of the spiral;
• burners-WOK - have a special stand designed for cookware with a spherical bottom.

Three-crown burners are especially popular with housewives, which will allow you to cook an oriental dish or quickly heat a large-diameter container.

In all modern models, the burners are equipped with an electric ignition. There are plates where the spark is supplied by pressing a separate key. But it is more practical to choose equipment that manufacturers have equipped with an automatic ignition function (it turns on when you press the gas supply knob).

Three popular models of gas hobs

1. Fornelli PGA 45 Fiero
2. Hotpoint-Ariston PCN 641 T IX
3. Weissgauff HGG 641 XV

Grilles and gas controls for cookers

As a rule, the built-in surface, even glass-ceramic, is equipped with cast iron gratings.The grill can be one, or several (for each burner or for a segment). The latter are much more convenient: you can take and clean part of the surface by removing just one section. And the weight of one segment is less than the entire grille.

Most of the models are equipped with a classic control mechanism - handles located directly on the panel. For ease of maintenance, they are made removable. You can choose expensive models with touch controls and indicators. This surface is easy to clean. I must say that every year the mechanics are losing ground more and more, since they are not as convenient as the sensor.

Additional functions of kitchen panels

What advice can you give to customers who have opted for a gas hob?

• The main criterion is safety in use. It is provided by the flame control program: when the fire is extinguished, the technician will stop the gas supply. It is even better to choose a model equipped with a re-ignition function: such a stove independently supplies gas to the burner and activates automatic ignition.
• Flame change program - after programming, the gas intensity is automatically adjusted.
• Overheating control - in case of liquid boiling away and a sharp increase in temperature, the kitchen surface will stop supplying gas.
• Protection against unauthorized inclusion - should be taken by families with children.
• Built-in timer.

Although many consumers, evaluating the advantages of electric panels, make a choice in their favor, gas ones should not be discounted. After all, the energy carrier is much cheaper, a gas hob heats food more evenly than an electric one, and there is no such thing as “heating time” here at all.