Recessed worktops are the technology of the present and the future. In any, even the smallest, kitchen, it is much easier to place a hob than a standard gas or electric stove. Moreover, the choice is very rich. Often this can be a problem: it's hard to decide. To facilitate the task, we will understand some technical points.
According to the type of connection, built-in work surfaces are:
By this criterion it is easiest to determine: what type suits you the most, you choose. The most comfortable, of course, combined built-in worktops. You can always cook something, even if you suddenly turn off the gas / electricity. The disadvantages of this choice include the price: this type of equipment is already quite expensive, and combined options are the most expensive of the entire range.
By designation, built-in work surfaces are of the following types:
- The hob (a set of burners of various shapes and diameters) can be built into the oven or countertop. Unlike conventional cookers, the number of burners can be from two to six, so choosing the right option for any family is not a problem.
- Deep fryer, grill, double boiler - auxiliary surfaces with limited functions. To save space, they can be mounted as a modular series.
Here, the choice is also more or less simple.
The hob is set in 99% of cases, but additional surfaces, if desired, choose to your taste.
Burners are:
- Express - for quick heating. Most often, the element quickly warms up to a certain temperature (set using the controller), then a slow decrease in temperature.
- Oval shape. All burners have a round shape, but some have an additional area that is included if necessary (for example, if oval dishes are used).
- Multi-contour: they have two or three concentric circles of various diameters. Including the contours of different diameters, select the size of the burner under the dishes.
- The multi-row gas burner has three or two rows of flame. This allows you to speed up the cooking process.
According to the principle of installation, built-in work surfaces are dependent and independent. Dependent surfaces can only be placed together with the oven: the control panel they have is one for two devices. The built-in work surfaces and coating differ: stainless steel, glass ceramics, enameled,
tempered glass (even with a mirror surface).
In addition to all these technical and aesthetic aspects, you also have to choose a manufacturer. The situation, as with all household appliances: there are proven and well-known brands, but there are more budget ones, but almost unknown ones. What to choose is up to you. But, judging by the reviews, more often they give preference to untwisted brands. So, many people buy built-in work surfaces Bosch, Samsung, Hotpoint-Ariston, Zanussi, Whirpool and some other companies. But this is only the choice of the majority.
Having finally chosen the model, do not forget about the illumination of the working surface: this is necessary to increase the comfort of use. However, in good lighting you will often have to wipe the surface - even minor impurities are visible and spoil the appearance.