How to choose a stove

Any hostess and owner of a house or apartment who wants to change the stove thinks about the correct choice. With the help of such a device in the kitchen, you can not only make delicious dishes, but also reduce the cooking time. Gas and electric models are often bought, but there are other options, which will be discussed in the article. Below is detailed information on how to choose a stove for the kitchen that will serve for many years and help the owners in cooking.

Gas or electricity stove

When deciding which stove to choose - gas or electric, one should start from the possibilities. In the event that there is a connected gas in the house or apartment, it would be better to install a gas type. The second option is often used in places where there are problems and difficulties with connecting to gas, but in some cases, homeowners make their choice consciously, as a result of design or other decisions. It should be noted that if there is a gas pipeline in the house and the purchase of an electric stove, its use will be more expensive. In addition, the modern technology market can offer a combined type, in which a pair of electric burners and a pair of gas burners.

Gas stoves

By using the direct influence of fire, any food will cook faster and more evenly, and it can also retain more health benefits. In this case, the hostess independently and completely controls the cooking by turning the stove on or off. As a result, professionals prefer to use gas models.

On the other hand, a gas stove can generate combustion products that create a sticky layer due to dust and grease. Often, a separate gas stove immediately includes an oven that operates on gas. Anyone who is interested in how to choose a gas stove should understand that you can only buy a gas hob and choose an electric type oven.

Modern models from well-known brands often include the "gas control" option, so when the flame is extinguished, the gas supply will be stopped. It is recommended that you select models with this feature and check availability prior to purchasing. Many modern developments are more driven by external changes, burners, and the functionality of gas stoves has been slightly expanded since the days of the Soviet Union.

Some devices include express burners, wok holders. The grilles themselves are made of cast iron or enameled steel, which will be cheaper, but will burn out after a while. Cast iron models are more durable, but can crack if dropped. When choosing a gas hob, preference should be given to stainless steel; to save money, you can choose an enamel coating.

Electric cookers

Plates of this type are characterized by a rather slow heating of the burners to the desired temperature and take a long time to cool. This leads to the fact that you need to remove the dishes with food after cooking, so as not to overcook or overcook it.Heating settings are much more difficult to make. An induction cooker can solve this disadvantage.

The advantage of electric stoves is the absence of combustion products, so cleaning surfaces and cleaning the kitchen is simplified. In addition, the device is less fire hazardous, gas leakage is excluded.

During operation, all the heat remains within the burner and does not escape into the kitchen. The main surface can be with or without edging, in this case it is difficult to select the best option, it is important to take into account individual preferences.

Burner type

When choosing a stove for the kitchen, you should focus on the types of burners, on which the speed and convenience of cooking depends. Based on the type of power supply of the models, the burners will differ, therefore, the main types for gas and electric surfaces should be distinguished.

Gas stove burners

When deciding which gas stove to choose, it is imperative to take into account the number and types of burners. There are many types, from the most common to the more modern:

• Oval - a great option if you often use oblong dishes such as ducklings or cauldrons. With the help of this type, uniform heating is obtained, the taste of the dish improves.
• A low-heat cooking zone that helps the dish to simmer and achieve the desired effect. Even the smallest species cannot provide such conditions. In this type, the fire is hidden under a separate cover, which makes it possible to evenly distribute the heat.
• Multi-circuit - characterized by the presence of several levels of nozzles, which help to significantly increase the cooking speed. Its surface can be with a solid or split grid and the latter is more convenient for maintenance.

When choosing gas burners, you need to look that they are of different sizes. This will allow you to use different sizes of dishes, because the flame should only heat the bottom, and not the side edges of pots or pans.

Electric cookers

Considering electric stoves and their burners, a large number of types can be distinguished. They differ in the heating method and other functions, design features:

• With an electric spiral inside - heating is provided by a heating element in the form of a spiral, the heating time is up to 20 seconds, the upper part of the element is closed with a support made of steel or cast iron, on which the dishes are placed. This option is the oldest, inconvenient, but cheapest.
• With belt heating (high light) - modern models with a heating period of up to 6 seconds, similar to gas models. Heating is carried out using a corrugated metal tape, which is located under the ceramic. The upper part of the heating element is covered with a glass-ceramic panel.
• With a rapid element - it includes a nichrome spiral in the design, which allows the surface to warm up in 10 seconds. A high current is needed to start.
• With halogen heating - quartz tubes are installed inside, which are filled with rarefied steam. During switching on, the current passes through the gas, which makes it possible to emit light and heat. Warm-up is fast - 1 second, it is characterized by minimal current consumption, but the cost is high and the durability is low.
• Induction - during operation, it is not the panel that heats up, but the dishes on it. It works with a magnetic cushion that forms an electromagnetic field on the surface of the cookware, which must have a thick bottom. Rapid heating with instant cooling after shutdown. The main disadvantages are cost, the need for special utensils and the complexity of installation.

Using the electric hotplate, users can not only heat, but also use some useful functions, which will be discussed below.

Types of electric stoves

Having studied several of the main differences and features of gas and electric stoves, you should dwell on the latter in more detail, since they are more structurally complex and include many types with different functions.The information received will simplify the question of how to choose a stove for the kitchen, since you can find out the pros and cons, the parameters of certain types.

Induction cooker

It is such a surface that raises many questions among people, not everyone knows how to choose an induction cooker, because it is modern and innovative. Its operation differs significantly from conventional electrical models, although it needs to be connected to an outlet to function. During switching on, heating is carried out not on the working zone (burners), but on the dishes themselves on it. The process is achieved by a coil of copper wires under the glass-ceramic panel. When current is applied, an electromagnetic field appears, forming an induction current. Placing the dishes in a certain zone, its bottom is a closed-loop current conductor, from which electrons begin to move and give heat, producing heating.

pros:

• A high level of efficiency, about 90%, because all energy is spent exclusively on heating the dishes, in a conventional electric stove 30-60% of the heat is wasted.
• High degree of safety, heating will be performed only if the required size of dishes appears.
• Easy maintenance, all food particles are easily removed and do not burn.
• Lots of programs, adjustments and settings.

Minuses:

• High cost, which is in the range of 40-190 thousand rubles.
• There is a fan in the stove, so an extraneous sound appears during operation.
• Do not use wok pans or cauldrons, so the number of possible dishes for cooking is reduced.
• It is impossible to use glassware, aluminum, exclusively ferrimagnetic compounds, but the purchase of adapters can solve a similar problem.

Stove with cast iron burners

A classic model that many people know. At the moment, a similar plate is sold with a stainless steel or enamel surface. The cost of the first option is higher in the range of 14-35 thousand rubles, for the enamel coating you will need to pay from 6 to 25 thousand rubles.

Often, companies that offer such slabs use white enamel, but there are other shades. If carried out promptly and correctly, the stove can retain its attractiveness for a long time and be like new. The main thing is to promptly remove grease, smudges and other stains. The main enemy for enamel is abrasive and metal scrapers for cleaning surfaces. In addition, chipping can occur on the surface as a result of accidental dropping of dishes.

Stainless steel looks more beautiful and more practical to use, because it is not afraid of blows, but when leaving, stains from rags often remain. Even a drop of clean water can leave a mark. Do not use abrasive, hard sponges for cleaning, otherwise the surface will become dull and scratches will be clearly visible.

The cooking times and costs depend on the type of burners. Often, manufacturers use 3 options. Among them are standard ones, with medium power and full heating to the desired temperature after 10 minutes. There are high-power express burners that warm up in 7 minutes and there is a red indicator in the center. Automatic options are characterized by the presence of a sensor that helps determine the temperature of the dishes, and after boiling, the indicator begins to decrease. These models have a white mark in the center.

Pros:

• Affordable pricing policy.
• Cookware of any quality and material can be used, even with an uneven bottom.
• There is an electric oven that warms up evenly.

Minuses:

• Cookware on the hotplates will be unstable because the surface is not even.
• It is dangerous to work with large pans as they can off-center and turn over.
• The heating of the bottom is uneven if it protrudes strongly beyond the limits, which can affect the quality of cooking.
• The oven is often with minimal functionality.
• Cast iron burners are difficult to clean of food residues and fat.
• Prolonged heating, which increases energy costs.
• Very slow cooling of the surface of the burners, therefore, after cooking, you must immediately remove the dishes or turn off the device in advance.

Glass ceramic hob

Such models of plates are becoming more and more popular, completely displacing cast-iron models. The technique is characterized by high functionality, stylish appearance and the best in all respects the qualities that stoves with cast iron burners have.

When choosing, you can not worry about the strength of glass ceramics. It may immediately seem that the material is fragile, but as a result of correct production, a high level of impact resistance appears, there are also the following positive properties:

• The minimum coefficient of thermal expansion, when compared with steel, is 160 times higher. Due to this, the surface easily withstands strong temperature fluctuations, for example, if cold water is spilled into the area of ​​the burner, in which 600 degrees, the surface will not burst and there will be no other defects.
• Anisotropy - heat conduction is provided only across and along the sheet. Due to this, the high temperature will be exclusively in the heating area (burner), and on the surface the indicator will not be more than 50 degrees.
• Glass ceramics can withstand a force of 25 kg per 1 sq. see, so even if the dishes are dropped, nothing will happen.
• Warming up to the desired temperature takes a few seconds, which affects the cooking time and the cost of paying electricity bills.

For glass-ceramic stoves, manufacturers set several types of heating for the burners. Among them are halogen elements, which give a red light when heated, surface preparation for cooking is almost instantaneous, but the service life is short. Rapid elements are ready for operation in 10 seconds, they serve for a long time, consume little current and are used most often. Hi Light gives rise to heating in 5 seconds, but consumes 25% more current than rapid burners, and work is carried out in only one mode without the possibility of setting.

Pros:

• Quiet operation.
• A beautiful design that suits any kitchen interior.
• Rapid heating of hotplates to working condition.
• Easy to care for.
• Temperature control is similar to a gas stove.
• Ovens often include many modes and functions.
• A large selection of models that differ in different options and functions, which allows you to find a stove for each person for personal needs.

Minuses:

• The cost of equipment is in the range of 15-90 thousand rubles.
• There is no protection against point impacts, for example, if a dish falls with a sharp edge or a knife, then there may be damage.
• Any liquid that flows out of the dishes does not remain on the surface, flows directly onto the floor or countertop.
• It is difficult to remove residual liquid with sugar.
• It is imperative to choose dishes with a flat bottom, otherwise the glass ceramics can be damaged.

The best manufacturers of electric cookers

When figuring out how to choose a good stove, you should focus on the brand. Many companies that make household appliances offer electric or gas type stoves and hobs. The stores offer a large assortment, and it is long and difficult to study the features of each model. To simplify the task, it is recommended to simply focus on a brand that has earned popularity for its durability, quality and functionality:

• Bosch;
• Electrolux;
• Gorenje;
• Hansa;

Having studied the main types of burners, as well as the types of electric stoves, you should also familiarize yourself with some selection parameters that simplify the purchase.

Electric stove selection options

Studying the question of how to choose an electric stove, it is imperative to analyze the technical parameters, possible functions, options that simplify the preparation and maintenance of the device.

Built-in or freestanding

Modern models can be of 3 types, including a separate stove with an oven, a hob with a dependent or independent oven.The first option is the cheapest, it is recommended to buy it for kitchens that are made of modules. If necessary, the structure can be easily transferred to another place, and with the help of the legs, you can expose the plate in case of an uneven floor.

Built-in models differ in that they are mounted directly into the worktop and this applies to the hob. The appearance is more aesthetic, because the kitchen turns out to be monolithic, does not stand out from the general picture. With this choice, you should decide in advance on the oven. This part may be unnecessary for some families who rarely cook or visit home infrequently. If an oven is needed, it can be combined with the top element or works independently.

In the first case, the models will be cheaper, but the installation is carried out strictly under the hob, since both elements are controlled on 1 panel, and in the event of a breakdown, two parts need to be replaced. An independent oven is installed anywhere in the kitchen and it is considered more profitable. The appliance has its own control unit, and the dimensions may differ significantly from the hob.

Control

When choosing this parameter, it should be borne in mind that any plate includes an electronic or mechanical unit for setting and correcting the operation of the device. Mechanical models include rotary mechanisms that allow you to start or stop heating, and they will also help to adjust the operation of the oven, temperature.

Electronic control is made in the form of keys or sensors. The second option is very convenient for use and maintenance. The surface is flat, there are many functions for settings, many processes are automated, so the hostess just needs to turn on the program.

Functionality

When choosing a stove, be sure to pay attention to the presence of additional functions and their features. With this, the cooking process will be more comfortable and complex dishes can be made. The main and possible functions include:

• Heat indicator - helps you see and understand if the hotplate is cold or hot.
• Boil control is a function that independently reduces the temperature or turns off the heating after the liquid in the dishes boils.
• Type of dishes recognition - makes it possible to exclude heating of empty containers.
• Oven light - allows you to see the progress and degree of cooking without the need to open the cabinet door.
• Auto-cooking is a convenient mode for which you should set the weight of the ingredients, select the program by number. After that, the device will start cooking at the desired temperature and a certain amount of time, at the end it turns off by itself.
• Convection is a convenient and useful function for the oven to crust or brown dishes by using the correct air distribution inside the cabinet.
• Defrosting - Helps to quickly defrost meat or other foods for later use.
• Timer.
• Core temperature probe - used in the most modern technology. Such a device is a sensor that is inserted into fish or meat and allows you to monitor the degree of readiness. As soon as the meat is ready, the hotplate switches off.

Oven type and how to clean it

There can be 2 types of oven in an electric stove:

• Static - includes 2 heating elements (top and bottom) or a heating part in the form of a ring, which is placed on the back wall.
• Multifunctional - an oven with 2-4 heating elements and a fan, which helps to maintain uniform heating. Often includes many modes and additional functions for customization.

When choosing a stove with an oven, it is very important to focus on the method of cleaning the cabinet, especially if you plan to bake frequently and use the area. In this case, it is wise to buy models with self-cleaning, which can be catalytic or pyrolytic. The first type removes the remnants of fat and food using a high temperature. During heating and using a special coating inside, the residues begin to disintegrate into soot or water, which evaporates.The second option warms up to 450 degrees, which causes the complete combustion of the dirt and turning it into ash, the hostess will simply need to remove it.