How to choose a hob - 15 questions and answers

A built-in hob is a first-class technique in a modern kitchen. Unlike the traditional slab, it allows you to create a solid work surface, which is not only beautiful, but also practical: less cracks - less dirt.

• According to the type of heat source, the cooking surface can be induction, electric and gas. Since the latter is intended only for gasified kitchens, in this article we will look at the nuances of choosing an electric cooktop - standard and induction. If you have gas in your apartment, read our special material: All the nuances of choosing a gas hob.

What is the difference between an electric and induction hob, and what you need to know before buying this or that stove - we will tell you in this guide.

Which cooking surface is better - electric or induction?

Our answer is unequivocal: induction hob is better in almost all indicators. Its main advantage is high efficiency - it cooks food almost 3 times faster and loses less heat in the process, and therefore it uses energy more economically.

If an ordinary electrical panel heats the bottom of the dish for 5-10 seconds, then the induction one almost instantly. For example, on it you can boil a large pot of water faster than in an electric kettle. It also reacts very sensitively to adjusting the degree of heating and turns off when removing dishes from the burner. Therefore, it is much easier to cook a delicate dish like a risotto of the right consistency, or, for example, to prevent the “escape” of boiled milk.

By the way, about runaway milk and other liquids. A weighty argument against the usual electrical panel: everything that overflows overboard, immediately burns and sticks to the surface so that it has to be cleaned with a special tool and a scraper. Moreover, it is necessary to wipe the puddle or the scattered flour / grits immediately, often for this you need to interrupt the cooking and continue again only after the “accident” is eliminated.

With an induction stove, you can relax, because during cooking only the dishes are heated, and not the surface itself. Overlooked the pasta? Just wipe the puddle with a cloth (no need to hurry!) And the surface will become clean again.

This property of the induction cooker makes everything else safer.

• If you have children, this is a weighty argument. Moreover, for families with small children, an induction cooker is the only correct option, since standard glass-ceramics is dangerous because it cools for a long time and can be easily mistaken for cold.

And now about the disadvantages of induction hobs:

• It is more expensive than glass ceramic by about 3-4 thousand rubles (other things being equal). But in our opinion this is the minimum charge for super-convenience and economical consumption of electricity.

Only 10 years ago, induction panels cost almost 3 times more than standard ones, which is why the erroneous glory of expensive equipment still holds them.

• Often, together with an induction cooker, you have to buy a couple of new pots of cast iron and enameled / stainless steel, as it is NOT compatible with copper, aluminum, ceramic and glassware. But, fortunately, most of the utensils that you already have will do. You can check this by putting a magnet on the bottom. If magnetized, then suitable. You will still be able to use improper dishes with the “adapter” - a flat adapter disk onto which the container is placed. Buying new pots and pans is also not a problem - most manufacturers have already adjusted to the demand and produce dishes with a magnetic bottom.

• Sometimes low-cost models with an insufficiently powerful and high-quality heat sink can overheat and turn off for a while.
• A small minus - while cooking, induction coils may buzz or crackle a little.
• Repairing induction furnaces requires special tools and equipment. If something goes wrong, contacting the service is not enough and, most likely, repair will be expensive.
• Most induction hobs do not allow installation of any equipment under them. Most likely, the oven will have to be installed elsewhere.

In this video, you can see the results of a custom test for the speed of boiling water in an induction, electric and gas stove.

But still electric cooktops are still relevant: they can also be very productive (especially models with halogen lamps) or cheap (especially old stoves with cast iron pancakes).

The main advantage of electric cooktops is that they are compatible with any cookware. If you have a lot of beautiful copper pots or a set of good aluminum, glass, ceramic utensils, it makes sense to buy ordinary glass ceramics.

Other advantages of glass-ceramic panels:

• Electric ovens are easier and cheaper to repair;
• The choice of models is 2 times more.

Still in doubt? Then we advise you to look at the combination hobs in which there are both conventional and induction hobs.

Induction Hob Selection Guide

We begin our guide to the choice of the hob with a familiarity with the induction stove. We have already reviewed its pros and cons above, so we’ll get down to business right away.

How does induction cooker work?

The induction coil creates a magnetic field that, exciting the atoms of iron, heats the pan and its contents. In fact, the dishes themselves and plays the role of heating elements. Honestly, this process is more like magic.

The induction hob is turned on only if there are dishes with a ferromagnetic bottom in the heating zone. If the dishes are removed from the burner, the heating stops and the corresponding symbol is displayed on the panel. As soon as the dishes are returned to the place, the symbol disappears and the cooking continues with the power level set earlier. If unsuitable dishes are used, the symbol also appears and the heating zone does not turn on. Can an induction hob react randomly to a plug or other object with magnetic properties? Not necessarily, since the heating zone in the stoves is limited. Depending on the manufacturer, the minimum diameter of the hotplate can vary from 8 to 12 cm. Therefore, Turkish coffee lovers may need to buy a Turk with a wide bottom or a special adapter.

What are the rings?

Most often, the burners in induction panels have different sizes and work as standard. But advanced models can have burners more flexible and functional.

• For example, there are cooking surfaces (for example, Miele KM 6395 FlexTouch), which can be called one large hob. They can put the dishes in any order, of any shape and size.
• Some cooking surfaces can combine 4 standard hotplates in two large ones. For example, Gorenje IS 677 USC.
• For fans of Asian cuisine, you should pay attention to the model with a special WOK ring with a hollow for a wok pan. But since such models are significantly more expensive and make you sacrifice one hotplate, it is more profitable to buy a set with a wok pan and a special stand for an induction cooker.

Which manufacturer of induction cooker is better?

The greatest number of positive reviews deserved induction hobs Bosch. Second place earned the company Electrolux. You can also select the brand AEG, because it was he who pioneered the production of induction cooking surfaces. True, the technology of this company is significantly more expensive.

What functions can an induction cooker have and which ones are the most necessary?

There are many basic and additional functions for induction panels, and all of them are designed to simplify the lives of users. Choosing your new hob, be sure to examine the list of its features.

• Auto shut off. The system automatically turns off the burner in case of overheating or when removing dishes. Most models have this feature.
• Automatic boiling - the liquid is quickly brought to a boil and, when this happens, the heating zone reduces the power - turning into a user-defined intensity mode.
• Timer - at the specified time the burner is turned off and / or beeps. A really useful feature that is often needed. Fortunately, it is in many models.
• Intense heating ("Booster"). In this mode, the power of one burner increases at the expense of the next, which allows you to cook even faster, for example, boil water almost instantly. It is good if there is this function, but not all models are equipped with it.
• Automatic shutdown during prolonged heating without temperature change. The period of time required for automatic shutdown depends on the heating temperature of the hob. The lower the set temperature, the longer the burner will work. For example, it can be as long as 10 hours. At maximum heat, the stove can continuously work for about - 1-1.5 hours. This should be borne in mind when cooking jam, jelly or other long-cooked dishes. If the possibility of continuous cooking for hours of hours is important to you, choose a hob without this function or with extended shut-off periods.
• Delayed start. Thanks to this function, the burner can turn on itself at a specified time.
• Automatic heating. Allows you to customize the operation of the burner: it can first heat to a high temperature, and then automatically reduce heat to a predetermined temperature after a specified time. This is convenient if you boil, say, rice - first bring the water to a boil, and then just boil it on the smallest fire.
• Protection against flooding. The stove may turn off or beep if there is a lot of water on the control points. In this case, you need to wipe the puddle and continue cooking.
• Child lock. Locking the buttons will not allow the baby to change the heating temperature or turn on the stove without the knowledge of the older ones.
• Cleaning-pause. Some cooktops have a pause function that allows you to temporarily block the settings made by the chef so that you can wipe the control panel without accidentally pressing any buttons, as well as for 20-30 seconds. stop heating (during this time you just have time to clean up).
• Maintain temperature. The function keeps the dish warm.
• Residual heat indicator - shows the degree of heating of each burner.
• Exhaust control - Some induction panels are so smart that they can control the hood. When the heating temperature is high, the hood is turned on at full capacity.

Electric Cooking Guide

Immediately make a reservation that in this article we will talk about the nuances of the choice of cookers of the last generation, and about the outdated models with cast-iron "pancakes" keep silent because their profitability is deceptive due to the high power consumption and prolonged heating.

What type of heating elements is better?

This selection criterion is one of the key. After all, the efficiency of the plate directly depends on the heating elements. So, there are only 3 of them:

• Spiral. They are equipped with the most inexpensive panels and, at the same time, the most inefficient. They used to be popular, but today they have given way to hi-light tiles. The heating time of the spiral burner 8−12 seconds.
• Belt (Hi-light). Plates with tape heaters are the most popular. They are about twice as efficient as the previous ones and can heat up in 3-6 seconds.
• Halogen. Such burners are very productive, provide more uniform and almost instantaneous heating. They can compete with induction and gas stoves. Their only problem is the possibility of overheating due to long cooking, and, of course, the high price.

What are the rings?

The hob of an electric hob is always of different diameter, while at least one of them is often double or triple, that is, can vary in size - from small to large. Especially important is the presence of such a burner for a small domino-type hob (with two burners).

• In many models, one of the four burners can become oval. It is convenient to cook on it in utyatnitsa or just large utensils.

Dependent or independent?

The hob may or may not depend on the oven. In the first case, the panel is connected to the oven with wires and is installed directly above it. At the same time, the control panel is not on the hob, but on the oven body.

• This kit is cheaper, it is easier to install and for many just familiar. It is also convenient that due to the location of the control panel on the oven, it cannot be poured or stained during cooking, which means it will not turn off.

Technique must be the same company, but not the fact that the devices of the same company will be combined with each other. Therefore, compiling a kit, be sure to check with special compatibility tables from the manufacturer.

• Independent cooking surface is good because it allows you to place the oven anywhere, for example, at eye level in a column cabinet.

See also the material: How to choose an oven in 9 steps

And since the dashboard is located on the plate itself, it is somewhat more convenient to operate it.

What features are and what are really needed?

The timer of each burner. He is in almost all models and is both reverse and direct. You can set a certain time for cooking, then at the right time the burner turns off and / or beeps.

Residual heat indicator. This is a basic security feature. The burner indicator shows the degree of residual heating and disappears only when the burner cools down.

Autoshutdown when overheating. In case of overheating due to the long operation of the stove or the operation of all burners at high temperatures.

Automatic boiling. This function is found in advanced models, and it is very useful. Her task is to simplify cooking: she automatically brings the dish to a boil at full power, and then, by the signal of the boiling sensor, she herself reduces the heat. While the cooker “cooks”, the cook can do other things.

Auto cooking programs. Sometimes electric hobs have automatic programs with user or factory settings for temperature and cooking time.

Child protection. If there are children living in the house, it is advisable to buy a hob with the function of locking the buttons so that the child cannot turn on the panel or change the settings. In some models, the lock is triggered by a long touch on a particular button or a combination of several buttons.

Universal tips for choosing

What size of hob to choose?

The most common size of induction and conventional electric hobs - a width and length of 60 cm, or a length of about 50 cm (+ - a few centimeters). Most often on the plates of this format fit 4 rings of different diameters.

• The standard stove size with three or four rings is suitable for a family of 3-5 people and a kitchen of average size (more than 7 sq. M).

Under non-standard circumstances, it is worth choosing a non-standard size hob.

• If your kitchen is very small and there are no more than 3 users of the stove, then it is worth choosing a mini-panel with two or three burners.

• For one person who rarely prepares something, for holiday home or removable housing suitable desktop induction stove with one or two burners.

• For spacious kitchenslarge families and hospitable cooks should choose a panel measuring 70–75 cm with four to five rings or a model 90–95 cm wide with 5–6 rings.

With or without frame?

Cooking surfaces can be framed with a metal profile (see photo below) or have beveled edges.

• Framed panels are somewhat more difficult to clean - it’s not so easy to brush the crumbs away, and fat and dirt get clogged in the gap. But the frame does not allow the fluid to drain to the floor or tabletop.

Which panel material is better?

Most often, induction and electric cooking surfaces are made of glass-ceramic. This material looks beautiful, shines, withstands cleaning with abrasives, scrapers and aggressive detergents.

• The glass ceramic surface is not so easy to maintain. Liquids spilled on the hot surface burn and sometimes stick so that even the scraper does not cope.
• Ceramic glass is afraid of strong blows and can crack from the fall of a heavy object.

An alternative to glass ceramics is tempered glass. It is less prone to scratches and chips, somewhat easier to maintain and stronger on impact. However, these models are more expensive and their choice is not so great.

What class of energy efficiency should be?

The higher the energy efficiency class of the hob, the less it affects the energy bill, while maintaining greater productivity. And, of course, the more expensive the device itself. It is desirable that the slab class is not lower than level A, and better - A + or higher.

Which control panel is more convenient?

In advanced panels it is sensory, and in simple - electronic. Some models have mechanical controls - they are good because they do not heat up during cooking and can be controlled slowly (touch the control panel when the surface is overheated and you need to touch quickly and quickly so as not to burn yourself). However, mechanical adjustments make cleaning difficult.

• The main thing is that it should be intuitive and not too close to the first row burners, otherwise they will be flooded every now and then.

How to decide on the design and form?

The most common color of the glass-ceramic hob: black and white, less often - beige. By the way, the last color is the most practical.

• In choosing the color of the plate, you need to be guided by the color of the rest of the equipment, table top and / or apron.

As for the shape, it can be not only square or rectangular, but also polygonal, round, in the form of a boomerang, angular (requires appropriate extraction) or narrow, but elongated (for shallow furniture).

Universal care and maintenance tips

• For all glass-ceramic cooktops (both conventional and induction) you need dishes with a high-quality flat bottom. Otherwise, during cooking, the dishes will crackle and heat up more slowly.
• Glass-ceramic hobs are washed with special non-abrasive products, and burnt food is cleaned with a metal scraper (usually included in the kit). In addition, after cleaning the surface must be treated with a special polishing agent, then the panel becomes shiny and less susceptible to dirt.

• We have already said that aluminum and copper containers are not suitable for induction cookers. However, for a conventional glass-ceramic panel, their use (as well as enamelled and painted pots) is not desirable, since they can leave traces that will be difficult or even impossible to remove.
• In order not to damage the glass-ceramic hob, try not to store heavy objects above it, say, food cans or some interior items. After all, if something heavy falls on the panel, it can break or crack.

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See also:

• Choosing a gas oven - crib for the buyer of 7 steps
• 11 things to know before buying a dishwasher
• How to choose the perfect coffee machine
• All about placing the washing machine in the kitchen
• Built-in refrigerator - the nuances of selection and installation
• Hood in the kitchen - what you need to pay attention to when buying