The basis of a modern kitchen is a working triangle - a stove (food processing area), a sink (cleaning area) and a refrigerator (food storage area). Proper ergonomics will minimize the fatigue of the hostess, speed up the cooking process and cleaning. But you should carefully consider not only the location of each functional element of the kitchen. Be sure to take the time to choose a technique that will fully meet the needs of the owners.
What are stoves
According to the method of heating, stoves are gas, electric and combined. Gases run on liquefied gas from cylinders or natural, quickly ignite, and heating is regulated quickly, clearly and conveniently. Such stoves are cheaper than electric ones and are not picky about choosing dishes. Cooking on gas is faster due to an open flame. In addition, the total cost is usually less than when using electricity for cooking.
The disadvantage of gas stoves is the burning of oxygen during combustion. There is a danger of explosion or gas leak. In addition, during operation, the bottom of the dishes is very dirty, soot forms on the stove.
Electric stoves are a very large group of large household appliances. There are conventional, coated with stainless steel or enamel, induction and glass-ceramic. Electric stoves do not form carbon deposits, with proper installation they are completely safe in operation. This is the only option for use in homes where a gas pipeline is not provided (usually high-rises). The food on the electric stove cooks longer because the burners must heat up and cool down, and the process is completely dependent on the power supply. If there is no electricity in the house, then it becomes impossible to cook something.
In addition, separate or built-in boards are distinguished. Recessed are divided into a hob and an oven. The technique varies in size (the dimensions of the electric stove are given below), power, functions, material for the manufacture of hobs or hob. The oven can be gas or electric.
The main types of electric stoves
The market offers old-style appliances with spiral heating elements or heavy cast-iron burners, as well as modern stoves with glass-ceramic coating and hidden burners. There are combined plates that combine several types of equipment. Some burners can run on electricity, others on gas. Such a stove is suitable for those who often have power outages.
Glass ceramics heat up faster (almost at the same speed as a gas stove), and the temperature is more easily regulated. This material is easy to care for, glass ceramic is safe and usually has a number of additional functions that facilitate the cooking process. But for such plates, dishes from glass, ceramics, copper, aluminum and stainless steel (only enameled and cast iron) are not suitable.
Induction cookers heat up much faster than other types of electric, and much more convenient than gas burners. Power is independent of mains voltage. Induction cooker maintains accurate constant temperature. It is easy to look after such material, there are additional functions. Around the heating zones, the surface does not heat up, which ensures safety and reduces the risk of burns.
Old-style plates
Slabs with a spiral are found only in domestic manufacturers TEN laid on top of an enameled surface. Such stoves heat up for a very long time. Electric cookers with cast-iron heating elements look different. Round burners with cast-iron heating elements are mounted on an enamel plate. The heating time is slightly less than that of spiral ones, but still the efficiency of this technique leaves much to be desired. First, a hidden spiral warms up, then the burner and the bottom of the dishes begin to heat up. Among these plates, you can find models with red markings in the center of the burner. These have a reduced heating time.
Hot plates
Cookers can have a different arrangement and number of rings, on which the size of the electric stove depends. For quick heating, the diameter of the bottom of the dishes must match the size of the burner. Four to seven levels of heating adjustment are usually available.
Hot plates of medium power (cast iron) heat up in ten minutes, a quick warm-up “accelerates” to a maximum in six to seven minutes. Powerful burners are indicated by dashed lines or red markings on the surface, such are often integrated into glass-ceramic plates or enamel-coated appliances. Warm up in one minute. Auxiliary burners change the heating zone, the diameter is changed by turning the knob or pressing a button.
On induction hobs, the heating can be precisely controlled. In the process of cooking, the bottom of the dishes is heated, while the burner itself remains cold. These are suitable for steel, cast iron and enameled dishes. Round or oval expansion zones are designed for cooking in a specific dish (for example, a chicken bowl).
Sizes of kitchen appliances
For a small kitchen, a narrow electric stove with two rings, which can be placed both horizontally and vertically, is suitable. Plate dimensions: approximately 35 cm x 25 cm (enameled with cast iron round burners), there are models with dimensions of 37 cm x 60 cm (induction Gorenje). An induction cooker with three burners has almost standard dimensions - 50 cm x 55-56 cm. You can find appliances of the same size with four burners.
Types of housing and options
All electric stoves are produced in three types of cabinet: built-in hobs, classic cabinet technology with an oven, tabletop appliances. Cabinet technology is a good choice for replacing an old stove without a global repair with new furniture. The dimensions of the electric stove are standard - width 60 cm, depth - 60 cm. The height of most models is 80-85 cm due to adjustable legs. If the kitchen is very small, you can choose a device with a standard depth and width of 50 centimeters.
Desktop electric stoves are rare to sell. Most are old-style models with cast iron burners. This technique is intended for use as a temporary solution.
But the most modern and popular - built-in panels. Cooktops are available in standard sizes. The stoves are square, the length of the side is 60 cm. There are compact models for one or three burners, which are produced rectangular with a width of 30 cm. Non-standard electric cookers can be found for sale, for example, semicircular (great for cutting into a kitchen island). Built-in cookers can be sold with or without an oven.
Additional features of the electric stove
Modern electric stoves often have additional functions that greatly facilitate the cooking process. But not all modes are really necessary. It is desirable, for example, to have at least one heavy duty burner. At different manufacturers, the marking of such a burner may differ, but a mention of its presence will necessarily be in the listing of characteristics.
Automatic blocking will protect against turning on the stove unintentionally, and several modes will allow you to precisely select the cooking temperature. Preset power modes can vary from five to fifteen. A rather useful option is protection against overflow of liquid from the pan. When boiling, the smart panel independently reduces power, preventing boiling. Glass ceramic tiles do not have flanges, so this function protects furniture and the floor from grease and moisture.
Hot plates with heating extension
The presence of burners with a variable heating area allows you to cook in dishes with an oval bottom or small containers without wasting energy on a standard ring burner. Often the list of functions is supplemented by timers, which will turn off the stove when the set time has elapsed. When choosing an electric stove with an oven, you should pay attention to options that will facilitate maintenance of the equipment. For many, it turns out to be useless grill, but the function of self-cleaning the oven like all housewives.
Standard electric stove power
The power of an electric cooker with glass ceramics can range from 1000 watts, if it is a small stove with two burners, up to 3000 watts or more. The greater the power, the faster the heating and the stable operation of several heating zones at the same time. The average four-burner electric stove has a power of 2000-2100 watts. The energy consumed increases if there are additional functions, for example, control of the boiling temperature, increase in power due to other burners, and so on.
Premium Quality Electric Cookers
The flagships of the market definitely deserve attention. Kaiser model HC 52072 Geo is made of black glass and dark metal, the glass-ceramic surface is matte. Of the four burners, two with an expandable heating zone as necessary. One burner transforms into an oval, the other simply expands (the diameter of the circle increases). Mechanical control. With a fairly modest dimensions of the case (electric stove - 50 cm x 60 cm), the volume of the oven is 66 liters.
The Bosch model (HCA 855850 R) is equipped with a roll-out design. The oven door is not folding, but leaves with the baking sheet. Four burners are installed on the glass-ceramic surface, two of which are expandable. The oven has a self-cleaning function. To prevent the outside of the oven door from being scratched, the manufacturer equipped the front panel with four glasses.
The optimum ratio of price and quality
For a classic interior or retro, the EC67CLI model from the Slovenian company Gorenje is suitable. The size of the electric stove is 60 by 60 cm. These are standard dimensions that are suitable for almost any kitchen. Among the representatives of the middle segment, this plate is distinguished by vintage handles of the color of old copper and sand enamel of the case. Beige and dark body available. Regarding direct functions, two of the four burners are equipped with an extension.
The German electric stove HCE644123R from Bosch will cost 35 thousand rubles. It is made in a white case, on the door there is “cold glass” (three-layer). There are seven built-in oven modes (including Defrost). On the hob are two powerful burners and two zones with the possibility of expansion.
The Hephaestus electric stove 6560-03 0001 is very effective, which is what stands out in the middle price category. Unusual square burners and a tempered glass marble facade immediately catch your eye. There is a touch timer, turbo and electric grill, barbecue, rotisserie with electric drive, double oven lighting and convection.
Overview of induction hobs
In the middle price segment, induction cookers can be found. Take a closer look at the Gorenje IS 656 X. The hob is made of glass ceramics, there are four heating zones, the diameter of each burner is 20 centimeters. Size standard - 60-60-85. The electric stove is equipped with a function of protection against accidental switching on.
The wide five-burner panel is suitable for large kitchens. The PKV975DC1D (Bosch) model has an almost standard width (53 cm), but the length is almost a meter - 91 cm. Of the five high-speed burners, four have an expansion zone. The electric cooker with vitroceramics is equipped with additional functions: residual heat designation, protection against unintentional switching on, digital display. Touch control.
Budget electric stoves
Hephaestus is a manufacturer that many prefer. The reliability of the company's products has been tested for years, and budget models are always in demand among customers. The best option without frills is the Hephaestus 5140-0031 electric stove. Of the four burners, one has a high-speed heating function. The electric stove "Hephaestus 5140-01 0001" practically does not differ from the one described above, except that it is made in a dark case. Suitable for people who do not need modern elements of comfort. Hephaestus electric stoves are reliable, but possess only the most necessary options.
Hansa is a Polish brand of household appliances. Among buyers, the Hansa FCCW 58240 electric stove (in the photo above) is in demand. The dimensions are compact, but close to the standard ones - 60 x 55 x 85 cm. The control is mechanical, the working surface is made of glass ceramics, there is an indicator of residual heat. Electric stove for 4 burners, two of them - quick heating.