Glass ceramic hobs are a kind of electric cooking surfaces. They can be of several types, differ in appearance, the material from which the body is made, the method of heating, as well as color and size. There are a lot of conflicting reviews about such plates, so it can be very difficult to figure out which is better. To make the right choice, you need to put aside emotions and understand what advantages and disadvantages are inherent in each type of panel.
The glass-ceramic hob compares favorably with others with a perfectly smooth surface, under which the heating elements are hidden. After switching on, the burners begin to heat up almost instantly and freely transfer heat through the glass, heating the dishes. This type of stove is more economical and convenient than traditional cast iron rings, which take an extremely long time to heat up, but it also has a number of significant drawbacks.
Advantages of glass ceramics
The main advantage of the glass-ceramic electric hob is its low thermal inertia. On practicethis means that the hob heats up quickly. Surfaces with cast iron burners heat up slowly and then cool down just as slowly, with about 30% of the energy wasted absolutely for nothing, and electricity bills become prohibitive. Glass-ceramic conducts heat economically and directionally: only the surface above the heating element heats up, and the panel itself maintains normal room temperature and does not heat the air in vain.
Some burners are equipped with several heating zones: small and large, round and oval. On such a burner, you can both brew coffee in a Turk and stew meat in a roaster. Expensive models are equipped with built-in autofocus, which independently determines the contour of the dishes and heats the surface of the desired size and shape.
An important advantage of glass ceramics lies in its beautiful appearance: a mirror-smooth surface looks very attractive, easy to clean and harmoniously fits into the interior of a modern kitchen.
Flaws
Reviews of the glass ceramic hob are mostly positive. The owners note its strength to various kinds of mechanical stress, but in some cases, ceramics may burst or break. When a heavy or sharp object is dropped, the surface can become covered with a network of cracks, but in fairness it should be noted that this happens infrequently. The built-in surface is usually enclosed in a metal frame, but there are also models with an open edge and a corner bevel. Suchthe modification is quite vulnerable, and after a while chips form on the side.
Also, the disadvantages include a relatively high price: electric stoves with cast-iron burners are much cheaper. But saving electricity will balance the costs.
Glass ceramic freestanding cookers
Freestanding stoves are considered a little outdated, but they continue to be popular due to a number of advantages. Firstly, they are much cheaper than their built-in counterparts: other things being equal, the difference in price is about 50%. Secondly, the ease of installation cannot go unnoticed: such a unit must be unpacked and connected, while the built-in version will require much more effort and special furniture.
The disadvantages of a solo electric stove with a glass ceramic hob include its appearance: not every kitchen set will match in color and style, so trying to fit the device into the interior may fail. However, most standard kitchens and appliances have a standard color scheme and dimensions, so it should not be difficult to deal with the problem.
Built-in hobs
Recessed glass ceramic hobs fit easily into any interior and look aesthetically pleasing in any case. They are divided into dependent and independent. In the first case, the upper part is subordinate to the oven, where the control center is located. These models differaffordable price, but buyers will no longer have the opportunity to choose an oven according to the given parameters: they will have to be content with what the manufacturer offers. You can install such a pair only in the standard position: the oven directly under the hob.
Independent of the oven, the panel is equipped with its own control unit. Controls that rise above the surface complicate cleaning and look unattractive, so it is better to give preference to control on sensors.
Rapid burners
This is the simplest, but already outdated type of electric burners. Rapid heater is made of high resistance alloy. Its advantage is low price and cheap repair, and the disadvantage is high energy consumption and relatively slow heating: it takes 10-15 seconds for the coil to heat up to the required level. This element also cools down for quite a long time.
Halogen burners
This technology is also becoming a thing of the past, but is still quite common. Hobs of this type are equipped with halogen lamps - special tubes filled with a rarefied inert gas, and an incandescent spiral is located nearby. When turned on, the lamp heats up first, and then the spiral, the full heating of the burner takes only a couple of seconds. Cooking surfaces with halogen stoves are marked with the letter "H", so it is quite difficult to confuse the model with others. Plates are economical in terms of energy consumption, but the spiralincandescent is deplorably short-lived: after 5-7 years of active operation, it burns out like an ordinary light bulb. Although the repair in this case is inexpensive, it causes a lot of trouble.
Hi-Lite and SuperQuick burners
According to the owners, these burners are the most durable, economical and fast. Siemens calls this technology Hi-Lite, and some other brands call it SuperQuick, but in fact these are just different names for the same phenomenon. Glass-ceramic is equipped not with an ordinary spiral, but with a special corrugated tape, laid extremely tightly. Warming up occurs in 5-6 seconds, as well as cooling. The vast majority of electric stoves are equipped with such burners, they are in consistently high demand due to their low price and exceptional reliability.
Induction hobs
In a conventional hob, one type of heating element is installed, which heats up when current is applied and transfers heat to the dishes with food. The induction system works in a fundamentally different way: a metal coil is installed in it, through which an electric current is passed, then a magnetic field is generated in it. This field interacts with the metal of the cookware and as a result, heat is generated. The hotplate itself stays completely cold until the correct cookware is placed on it, and cools down almost instantly after the power is turned off.
A lot of myths have formed around stoves with induction hobs, some of which are absolute fiction. For example, any metal cookware with a flat bottom that can be magnetized is suitable for such a hob. No expensive special pots and pans are required. A significant disadvantage is the monotonous noise that the panel emits during operation: these are the noise of the cooling fans. The sound is not very loud, but in silence it will be clearly noticeable and definitely not a pleasure for the cook.
Connoisseurs of a stylish interior and a harmonious combination of furniture and appliances will appreciate white glass-ceramic hobs, as well as beige, blue, golden, gray, metallic colors. This design option is only possible with induction, conventional heating elements are only black.
The glass ceramic induction hob is convenient for families with small children as it is completely safe. The second important advantage is the heating speed: a three-liter kettle boils in just three minutes. The next advantage is low energy consumption: the stove consumes very little energy. However, the price is so high that it eliminates this advantage.
The heating speed can play a cruel joke: you will have to forget about step-by-step cooking, as the food is cooked extremely quickly. All ingredients should be prepared in advance, and not after the cooking process has begun. This drawback is not significant, because you can adapt to it over time, but the potenti althe buyer must be informed of all the nuances.
Induction cookers are a relatively new technology, so they are not well established yet. Cooking surfaces often break, and repairs require serious financial investments.
Hob control
The panel control unit can be mechanical or touch. The first option is simpler, more familiar and cheaper, and the second one is more convenient and more beautiful. As a rule, glass ceramics with sensors are equipped with an additional indicator light that warns that residual heat has remained in the switched off burner.
Mechanical switches can be accidentally touched, and the burner will turn on unnecessarily. This may cause the surface to overheat. For added convenience, the toggle switches can be recessed, which will appeal to families with small children.
Useful additional features
The most useful and popular feature is the timer. After setting the cooking time, you can not worry that the dish will burn - the burner will turn off at exactly the appointed time.
The touch panel may be equipped with a locking system to prevent accidental activation. It usually starts automatically some time after the last command. You can activate the stove again by long pressing.
More expensive models are equipped with a cookware detection sensor: if you turn on the burner, but forget to put a pan on it,the hob will emit a high-pitched squeak. This is a very useful feature, as overheating of glass ceramics can deteriorate.
Slab manufacturers: who is better?
The most reliable, large and well-known brands are Bosch, Electrolux, Gorenje, Greta, Hansa, Zanussi. Bosch glass-ceramic hobs are traditionally considered the most reliable at a relatively affordable price. This brand is mainly specialized in the production of embedded appliances. By the way, he also boasts the largest number of positive reviews. Electrolux glass ceramic hobs are also popular with customers and have earned an excellent reputation. Other brands are less in demand, but the products are characterized by excellent quality and durability.
Many customers try to choose between a glass or glass ceramic hob, but this is not possible. Tempered glass is used only in the production of gas stoves.
