Which Glass Ceramic Hob To Choose

2023 Author: Philip Bishop | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-08-25 07:54

• What is the hob
• Advantages and disadvantages of electric hobs
• Trade marks
• Rating of manufacturers of glass-ceramic plates
• Differences between electric stoves
• Top Models
• Detailed overview

Modern buyers are increasingly choosing electric hobs with glass-ceramic coating. They take up a minimum of space, are easy to handle and easy to clean. Different models can contain a variety of functionalities, increasing operational safety. A review of glass-ceramic plates will clearly demonstrate all the pros and cons of kitchen appliances.

What is the hob

Glass ceramic hobs are superior to traditional cookers in many ways, they are compact and take up less space. Devices are divided into two types: dependent, when they come complete with the oven and independent, such can be installed separately or equipped with an oven from another manufacturer (or mounted in another part of the headset).

Panel varieties include both gas stoves and electric ones. The choice of a suitable model will depend on the availability of gas in the house or apartment.

Electric ones are divided according to the type of heating element:

• Induction (equipped with coils).
• Spiral.
• Halogen.
• Hi-light (with tape heaters).

Gas stoves are produced in two versions, when the burner is either open or closed by the work surface. The efficiency of such stoves is considered to be the highest; only induction or halogen electric panels can be compared with them. Classic spiral devices are outdated and do not have the proper parameters. Modern hi-lights, despite their functionality, heat up more slowly, while consuming more energy resources, but they are the most popular.

Advantages and disadvantages of electric hobs

When buying gas panels, the user receives not only a functional and economical device, but also a stylish addition to the kitchen interior.

Before purchasing an electric stove, it is worth figuring out what their advantages are.

• Glass ceramics is a durable material that is most often used as a slab surface. Its feature is thermal conductivity, hot burners do not transfer heat to the rest of the stove area.
• The surface of the slab is quite durable and is able to withstand a considerable load. The maximum permissible weight for the entire stove is 15 kg, for one burner - 5 kg. The manufacturers claim that glass ceramics can withstand a drop of an object weighing 2 kg from a height of 50 cm.
• Compared to classic stoves, electric hobs have a wide range of functions, greatly simplifying the cooking process.
• Slab modifications include more than traditional shapes and colors. The panel can be square, rectangular, oval, or custom. The range of colors begins with basic hi-tech colors and ends with the application of designer drawings.
• The user can purchase a stove with a different number of heating zones, in addition, the burners can have additional zones, contours or independently determine the size of the dishes.

Among the disadvantages of electric stoves, one can note the vulnerability of the glass-ceramic coating to pinpoint impacts. Chips or cracks may result from falling / hitting with a knife or fork. Also, ceramics are not resistant to sudden changes in temperature; it is not recommended to spill cold water on a hot stove or put cold dishes.

Unlike outdated electric or gas stoves, hobs have some requirements for cookware: it must have an even bottom without chips and dirt.

The choice of cookware and other kitchen utensils for a glass-ceramic hob depends on the type of heater: for induction cookers, only certain cookware with a magnetic bottom is suitable, for halogen or hi-light panels, cookware made of any heat-resistant material is suitable.

Trade marks

Many are wondering which company to choose an electric stove with a glass-ceramic surface. There are many manufacturers of kitchen appliances, but only a few of them are trustworthy.

Rating of manufacturers of glass-ceramic plates

1. Bosch is a German manufacturer, the production itself is concentrated in different EU countries (Germany, Italy, France).
2. Hansa is a German manufacturer, production is concentrated in Poland.
3. Gorenje from Slovenia.
4. Electrolux is a Swedish company with factories in the EU and many others.
5. Other popular brands include: Zanussi, Kuppersberg, LEX, Fornelli, Asko, LG, Maunfeld, Siemens, Samsung.

Differences between electric stoves

Electric hobs are divided into induction and ceramic (halogen, hi-light). The difference between a glass-ceramic hob and an induction hob lies in the different types of heating elements.

Induction - heating dishes by a magnetic field, halogen or hi-light ceramic hobs transfer heat first to the hotplate, then it is transferred to the cookware.

Another important point that distinguishes an induction hob from a ceramic hob is the cookware used. As already mentioned, for the first type, special dishes are needed that have magnetic properties, but any ceramic hob can be used: copper, cast iron, aluminum, ceramic, glass or stainless steel.

Top Models

The table of the best glass-ceramic plates - TOP-5 rating.

LEX	7300 rubles	Power 3 kW, 2 ceramic burners Hi-light, non-standard size (28.8x52 cm), touch control unit.	Cooking zone timer, panel lock, residual heat indicator, safety shutdown, recognition of absence / empty dishes.
BHCI65123030	Hansa	11,000 rubles	Power 6 kW, 4 Hi-light ceramic burners, mechanical control.	Residual heat indicator, safety shutdown.
CTR264KC01	Samsung	19,000 rubles	Power 5.8 kW, 4 ceramic hobs Hi-light, touch control unit, 1 oval heating zone, 1 three-circuit hotplate, 1 double-circuit hotplate.	Automatic boiling, keeping warm, lock against accidental activation, timer, residual heat indicator, safety shutdown.
FT6VS16	Kuppersberg	22,000 rubles	Power 6.3 kW, 4 ceramic Hi-light burners: 2 small, 2 double-circuit, touch control unit.	Cooking zone timer, automatic boiling, residual heat indicator, safety shutdown.
ZEN 6641 XBA	Zanussi	26000	Combo model, 4 burners: 2 Hi-light, 2 induction, the presence of a double-circuit heating zone, power 6.6 kW, touch control unit	Protective automatic shutdown, residual heat indication, timer, control panel lock.

Detailed overview

The electric hob overview has been compiled on the basis of demand and positive customer reviews, as well as sales volumes.

EVH 320 BL LEX (Lex)

The budget model from the LEX company opens the overview. It is an economical option for small spaces or as an addition to a gas or induction hob. The hob has only 2 ceramic hi-light hobs: 16 cm and 20 cm in diameter. Low power saves energy consumption, will not unnecessarily load the wiring. This is a great option for those who cook sparingly or in small quantities.

What is interesting about the functionality:

• The protective shutdown automatically turns off the device in case of power supply voltage drops, water ingress into the device.
• The hob turns off automatically if there is no cookware on the hotplate or if it is empty (determined by weight). This prevents the device from working "idle", and, therefore, saves electricity consumption.
• The timer switches off the hotplates after the set time, without requiring the presence of the user. In addition, you do not have to keep track of time during cooking (when boiling eggs, coffee, pasta).
• Residual heat indicator - designed for safety.
• Locking the panel will protect children from injury, and is also useful during cooking - it is easy to touch the touch buttons and knock off the setting.

CTR264KC01 from Samsung (Samsung)

This model is the best choice for housewives and everyone who loves to cook at home. The device is equipped with 4 ceramic hi-light burners: 1 double-circuit, with an oval zone, 1 three-circuit, 2 medium. The user can cook several different dishes at the same time.

For greater convenience, the manufacturer has implemented several useful functions in the stove:

• Boil - intense heating for a quick boil, after which the temperature is automatically reduced to the set level.
• Keeping warm or warming up will keep food from cooling if dinner is delayed a little.
• Locking the control panel.
• Cooking zone timer.
• Residual heat indicator.
• Protective auto shutdown.

BHCI65123030 from Hansa

This is a great option for those who are used to classic home appliances. Simple model with mechanical rotary switches. The hob contains 4 hi-light ceramic burners: 2 small and 2 large. The device is not overloaded with complex additional options and contains only basic ones:

• Residual heat indicator.
• Safety shutdown in case of voltage surges or water ingress into the device.

Small functionality is compensated by a democratic cost and a fairly high-quality assembly. A frame runs along the contour of the panel, it protects the slab from side and corner chips, and prevents spilled liquid from spreading over the entire table.

Model FT6VS16 Kuppersberg (Kuppersberg)

Available in three colors: black, white or silver. This hob can be described as a versatile option for any kitchen. The touch-controlled device contains 4 hi-light ceramic hotplates (2 double-circuit heating zones and 2 small hotplates). The functionality is optimal:

• Boiling automation.
• Locking the control panel.
• Timer for 90 minutes.
• Automatic protective shutdown.
• Residual heat indicator.

Metal frame protects against chipping. Evaluating user reviews, the combination of "price-quality" is more than optimal, there are no complaints about the work. Despite the low popularity of the brand, this model is rightfully included in the rating of the best hobs.

ZEN 6641 XBA from Zanussi

The combined model is included in the rating of electric glass-ceramic hobs. The hob has different types of heating elements. Of the 4 burners, 2 are hi-light, 2 are induction, two-circuit heating zone. The combination of different types of stoves in one makes it possible to use modern technologies (induction) and cook on your favorite / specific kitchen utensils (on ceramic hobs).

The panel is enclosed in a thin bezel to protect it from chips and spills. The functionality is quite wide:

• Power Boost.
• Timer up to 99 minutes with a sound signal.
• Automatic shutdown in the absence of dishes, when not suitable dishes.
• Locking the control panel.
• Residual heat indicator.

Reviews for this model are not unambiguous, most users note that the hob is flawless, but there are several flaws. For example, induction heating requires forced cooling by a fan. The button of the control unit does not apply to the “off” command, that is, the stove can be accidentally turned off by resetting the timer.

In general, the combined model is the best option, you can use a variety of dishes on it, from induction pots, to waffle irons or Turks.

Thinking about which stove to choose with a glass-ceramic surface, it is worth assessing your needs for various options, device sizes, and control types. The variety of modifications will allow everyone to choose the most suitable option.

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