Vitroceramic hobs are a type of electric kitchen surface. They can be of several types, differ in appearance, material of which the body is made, heating method, as well as color and size. There are many conflicting reviews about such plates, so figuring out which is better is very difficult. To make the right choice, you need to drop emotions and understand what advantages and disadvantages are inherent in each type of panel.
The glass-ceramic hob compares favorably with others by its perfectly smooth surface, under which the heating elements are hidden. After turning 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 heat up extremely long, but it also has a number of significant drawbacks.
The advantages of glass ceramics
The main advantage of a ceramic glass hob is low thermal inertia. In practice, this means that the stove heats up quickly. Surfaces with cast-iron burners heat up slowly and then cool down just as slowly, while about 30% of the energy is wasted completely for nothing, and electricity bills become prohibitive. Glass ceramic conducts heat economically and directionally: only the surface above the heating element is heated, and the panel itself maintains its 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 also make coffee in a Turk, and stew the meat in a chicken bowl. 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 is its beautiful appearance: the mirror-smooth surface looks very attractive, is easy to clean and harmoniously fits into the interior of a modern kitchen.
disadvantages
Reviews on the glass ceramic hob are mostly positive. Owners note its resistance to various kinds of mechanical stress, but in some cases ceramics may burst or break. If a heavy or sharp object falls, the surface may 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 open edges and angled bevels. Such a modification is quite vulnerable, and chips will form on the side after some time.
Another disadvantage is the relatively high price: electric stoves with cast iron burners are much cheaper. But saving electricity will balance costs.
Freestanding glass-ceramic cookers
Freestanding slabs are considered somewhat obsolete, but they continue to be popular due to a number of advantages. Firstly, they are much cheaper than built-in counterparts: ceteris paribus, the difference in price is about 50%. Secondly, the ease of installation cannot go unnoticed: such an assembly must be unpacked and connected, while the built-in version will require much more effort and special furniture.
The disadvantages of a solo electric cooker with a glass ceramic hob include its appearance: not every kitchen set matches the color and style, so an attempt to fit the device into the interior may fail. However, most standard kitchens and appliances have a standard color scheme and dimensions, so it will be easy to deal with the problem.
Built-in hobs
Glass ceramic recessed hobs easily fit into any interior and look aesthetically pleasing anyway. They are divided into dependent and independent. In the first case, the upper part is subordinate to the oven, where the control room is located. Such models differ in affordable 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 only install this pair in the standard position: the oven directly under the hob.
The oven-independent panel is equipped with its own control unit. Regulators rising above the surface complicate cleaning and look unattractive, so it’s better to give preference to control on the sensors.
Rapid burners
This is the simplest, but already quite outdated type of electric burners. Rapid heater is made of high resistance alloy. Its advantage is the low price and cheap repair, and the disadvantage is the large energy consumption and relatively slow heating: the spiral takes 10-15 seconds to warm up to the required level. This element cools down for a rather long time.
Halogen burners
This technology is also a thing of the past, but is still common enough. Cooktops of this type are equipped with halogen lamps - special tubes filled with rarefied inert gas, and an incandescent spiral is located nearby. When you turn on, the lamp first heats up, and then the spiral, the complete heating of the burner takes only a couple of seconds. Cooking surfaces with halogen stoves are marked with the letter "H", so confusing the model with others is quite difficult. Stoves are economical in terms of energy consumption, but the incandescent spiral is deplorably short-lived: after 5-7 years of active use, it burns out like an ordinary light bulb. Although repairs in this case are inexpensive, however, they cause a lot of trouble.
Hi-Lite and SuperQuick Hotplates
According to owners, such burners are the most durable, economical and fast. Siemens calls this technology Hi-Lite, and some other brands - SuperQuick, but in fact these are just different names for the same phenomenon. Glass ceramics are not equipped with an ordinary spiral, but with a special corrugated tape laid extremely tightly. Warming up takes 5-6 seconds, as does cooling. The overwhelming majority of electric stoves are equipped with such rings, they are stably in high demand due to their low price and exceptional reliability.
Induction hobs
In a conventional hob, one of the types of heating element is installed, which heats up when a 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 utensils and as a result heat is generated. The burner itself remains completely cold until the correct utensils are placed on it, and cools down almost instantly after turning off the electricity.
Around the stoves with induction hobs, many myths have formed, some of which are absolute fiction. For example, for such a hob, any flat-bottomed metal utensil that is capable of magnetizing is suitable. No expensive special pots or pans are required. A significant drawback is the monotonous noise that the panel emits during operation: the cooling fans make noise. The sound is not very loud, but in silence it will be quite clearly felt and certainly will not bring pleasure to the cook.
Connoisseurs of a stylish interior and a harmonious combination of furniture and appliances will appreciate the white ceramic glass hobs, as well as beige, blue, gold, gray, metallic colors. This design option is possible only with induction, conventional heating elements are only black.
The glass ceramic induction hob is suitable for families with small children, as it is completely safe. The second important advantage is the speed of heating: a three-liter kettle boils in just three minutes. The next advantage is low energy consumption: the stove consumes extremely little energy. However, the price of it is so high that it eliminates this advantage.
The speed of heating can play a trick: you will have to forget about step-by-step cooking, as the products cook extremely quickly. All ingredients should be prepared in advance, and not after the start of the cooking process. This disadvantage is insignificant, because you can adapt to it over time, however, the potential buyer should be informed about all the nuances.
Induction cookers are a relatively new technology, therefore, so far not very well developed. Cooking surfaces often break, and repairs require serious financial investments.
Hob control
The panel control unit may be mechanical or touch. The first option is simpler, more familiar and cheaper, and the second is more convenient and beautiful. As a rule, glass ceramics with sensors are equipped with an additional light indicator, which warns that residual heat is preserved in the disconnected burner.
Mechanical switches can be accidentally touched and the hob will turn on unnecessarily. This can lead to overheating of the surface. For greater convenience, toggle switches can be recessed, which will appeal to families with small children.
Useful extras
The most useful and popular feature is a timer. After setting the cooking time, you don’t have to worry that the dish will burn out - the burner will turn off at the exactly scheduled time.
The touch panel can be equipped with a locking system that protects against accidental activation. Usually it starts automatically some time after the last command. Again, the stove can be activated by a long press.
More expensive models are equipped with a dish detection sensor: if you turn on the hotplate but forget to put a pan on it, the hob will emit a piercing squeak. This is a very useful feature, as glass ceramics can deteriorate from overheating.
Plate 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 mainly specializes in the production of embedded appliances. By the way, he also boasts the most positive reviews. Electrolux vitroceramics hobs are also popular among buyers and have earned an excellent reputation. The remaining brands are less in demand, but the products are characterized by excellent quality and durability.
Many buyers are trying to choose between a glass or glass ceramic hob, but this is not possible. Tempered glass is used only in the manufacture of gas stoves.