Electric stoves (glass ceramics) for the kitchen - a novelty of household kitchen appliances. Such a plate costs an order of magnitude more expensive than the usual enamelled one, but all the additional costs in this case are justifiable. A stove with a glass-ceramic surface, in comparison with a conventional enameled one, has a high degree of thermal conductivity, advanced functionality, automated control and an original design that can decorate and complement the harmonious image of any modern kitchen.
The household appliances that are easiest to control when cooking are electric stoves for the kitchen (glass ceramics). User reviews indicate that more convenient and multifunctional technology has not yet been invented. By adjusting the temperature during the cooking process, you can cook dishes of any complexity and sophistication, without resorting to additional heating kitchen appliances. It is only important to remember that for long-term comfortable use of glass ceramic plates, only special dishes should be used.
Electric stoves (glass ceramics) for the kitchen. How to choose?
The choice of stove is carried out in the same way as the choice of any other household appliances, in stages. First, you should decide what size and dimensions the stove will be. This directly depends on the spatial capabilities of the room where it is planned to be placed, and on the requirements for functionality and ease of use. Will it be small and compact or take up a lot of space.
Will it be built-in or stand-alone. Which option is more suitable: combined with an oven or stove, which will consist of two separate independent units.
Secondly, it should be decided what size and design the stove perfectly complements the color of the kitchen room, without introducing dissonance in it with its size, dimensions and colors. Perhaps it is worth taking a closer look not at traditional white, but brown electric stoves (glass ceramics)?
The third step in choosing a glass-ceramic cooker is to determine the optimal total power of the appliance, the number and configuration of burners.
As for the fourth stage, it is also completely individual. It should be decided what is more important - financial savings or the comfort of using the device. The ease of handling it will depend on the type of control of the stove in the first place.
Glass ceramic wisdom
So, when viewed from above, the stove is a flat glass-ceramic surface with specially marked heating zones (burners). Under it is a heater (special spiral elements capable of heating). Under the heating elements there is a base of asbestos.
The main property of glass ceramics is its high thermal conductivity, it is an excellent heat-polarizing material that transmits heat well in the vertical direction and practically does not allow it in the horizontal. Therefore, when heating the heating elements, only the surface above them is heated, not a centimeter more.
Burners and their types
Choosing a stove (glass ceramics), you should carefully look at the various types of burners.
There are three main groups with which modern glass-ceramic stoves are equipped: rapid, halogen and induction. Rapid heating is carried out by heating the spiral. Halogen ones are heated from special halogen lamps. And induction becomes hot due to the action of fields of electromagnetic origin. They are the most advanced today. If the stove is equipped with induction hobs, then you should use it only using special dishes with a magnetizing bottom.
Variety of burners depending on the material
The burners of glass-ceramic electric stoves also differ in the material from which they are made. There are enameled steel burners, they are inexpensive and at the same time have decent hygienic properties. Stainless steel burners are slightly more expensive than previous ones, but they are more durable and easier to clean. The most expensive burners for this type of cooker are those made of a unique aluminum alloy, ideal for heating and long-term use. They practically do not require leaving, as they do not darken and are not subject to scratches. Electric stoves (glass ceramics) for the kitchen, equipped with such hobs, are the most reliable and durable.
Varieties of burners depending on size and shape
It is also important to know that the burners of glass-ceramic plates can be either single-circuit or double-circuit. Burners of this kind are easily adjusted to any size of the dishes. For example, under a large-frying pan or a small saucepan.
Rings with oval shaped heating zones are still quite exotic for a modern housewife. When a special button is pressed, the regular standard circle-shaped burner turns into an improved oval, perfect for cooking food in a ducklings or special fish trays.
The convenience of using a glass-ceramic cooker is enhanced by temperature indicators created using a segmented arrangement of the structure. With their help, at first glance, you can make the right choice in determining the most recently turned off burner, which has still retained maximum heat. Putting dishes with food on it, you can keep food warm for some time without heating.
Types of control for a ceramic worktop
There are two types of control of a modern glass-ceramic electric stove: using rotary switches or touch, when the buttons are not located on the front panel of the stove, but directly on the work surface next to the burners.
In addition to comfort and simplicity in the management of the stove, this innovation will also be useful for families with small children. Touch control allows you to smoothly control the speed and degree of heating of the burners.
Booster function. Uniqueness and ease of use
The booster function is very attractive in modern ceramic tiles . With it, you can increase the power of one of the burners at the expense of others. Moreover, as soon as the timer, synchronized with the heating sensor, informs of boiling water, the burner power will immediately decrease automatically. Just think what a nice innovation! With it, you will be deprived of anxiety about “reducing the light” in a timely manner.
Models of electric stoves (glass ceramics), which are most popular. Reviews
As already mentioned above, today electric stoves (glass ceramics) for the kitchen are widespread. And, of course, like in any other market area, there are leaders and outsiders among them. The most popular models of plates with a glass-ceramic surface are the following: Electrolux EKC 52300 OW, Hansa FCCI 58236060, Indesit KN 6C107, Hotpoint-Ariston CE 6V M3 X, Bosch HCE 744350R, Beko CS 47100, Gorenje EC 55320 RBR, Samsung CTR164N0.
Judging by the feedback from users who have been operating glass ceramic cookers for quite some time, it can be said with confidence that heating of a glass ceramic stove burner, compared to an enamelled electric and especially gas, occurs much faster, as well as cooling. But there is a significant drawback for ceramic glass plates, although they are quite reliable. There is the possibility of surface damage, which entails an expensive replacement of the entire top panel, as it cannot be repaired. In addition, there are often problems with cleaning glass ceramics. Normal household chemicals and sponges are not suitable in this case. They can scratch a glossy surface, so when switching from a regular enameled plate to a plate with a glass-ceramic working area, you have to purchase not only new cookware, but also cleaning products. If there are no special problems with the purchase of dishes, except for a financial plan (it is not cheap), then there are difficulties with household chemicals and cleaning devices, since the assortment of stores in this direction is still not very large.
Safety rules for using a glass-ceramic electric stove
After examining the reviews on the topic "Electric stoves (glass ceramics) for the kitchen", we can conclude that there is a certain number of rules necessary to comply in order to ensure the most safe, comfortable and durable operation of the stoves.
1. It should be remembered that the edges are located on the edges of the plate, but they are so low that the liquid that escaped during boiling will not only fill the plate, but will most likely fall to the floor. Avoid uncontrolled boiling liquids.
2. Spilling boiling liquid is also fraught with its falling on the surface of the burners located nearby, which can threaten cracking of ceramics.
In this case, the entire panel will be replaced. In the event of a breakdown, all the joy that electric stoves for the kitchen (glass-ceramic) brought during a comfortable working cooking instantly disappears. Repairing them is extremely expensive. We repeat: do not allow uncontrolled boiling of liquids, and electric stoves (glass ceramics) for the kitchen will please you with a long and faithful service.
3. A plate with a ceramic surface is extremely demanding on the dishes used during cooking. The perfectly smooth bottom of the cookware guarantees the durability of the surface of the household appliance. Experience shows that almost all cookware used when using conventional gas stoves with shell burners is absolutely unclaimed when people purchase an electric ceramic stove. User reviews are full of stories about this fact, therefore, when acquiring such an “assistant” in the kitchen, be prepared to change all the dishes for cooking hot food, which is fraught with considerable expenses.
4. And the last. Be also prepared for the fact that an electric cooker with a glass-ceramic surface is not only an increased degree of comfort and safety of cooking, an advanced enhanced functionality, but also a high price. But electric stoves for the kitchen (glass ceramics) "Burning", even despite the high price, are very common among people who prefer to eat full healthy food without devoting much time and attention to cooking.