For a long time the past times have already become, when in the kitchens of standard apartments there was a standard bulky household appliances. The modern market offers many technical solutions that make it possible to make cozy and ergonomic any, even the tiniest kitchen. One of them is an electric hob.
Types of electric hobs
First, let's take a closer look at what an electrical cooking surface is and whether it is as good and convenient as it is commonly believed. To put it bluntly, the cooking surface is the upper part of the usual electric stove - the base on which several (from 2 to 6) heating elements are installed. If such an electric hob is equipped with its own control unit, it is called independent. If the control unit is placed on the front surface of the oven, the panel is called dependent.
The convenience of the hob in comparison with a conventional cooker is in the variability of this solution - you can purchase the panel separately or in the company with an oven, and then mount it in any convenient place in the kitchen. At the same time, such an expensive kitchen space is significantly saved and the space for design creativity opens up. The range of electric hobs allows you to purchase the model in full accordance with the wishes of the consumer by choosing:
- number and type of heating elements - from 2 to 6;
- material of the panel itself - metal or glass-ceramic;
- control method - mechanical or sensory;
- type of installation - independent or dependent panel.
Electric built-in hob
Adherents of the kitchen laconicism built-in electric hob exactly like. It is mounted in a hole, specially cut out in the table top, under which all the wires necessary for its connection are hidden and occupies a minimum of space. The size of the groove directly depends on the thickness of the panel and can vary from 4 to 6 cm. The installation level with the table surface makes it easier to clean - crumbs, water and grease simply have nowhere to hide and zatech.
Independent electric hob
Equipped with its own control unit, an independent desktop electric cooker costs a little more than its dependent relative, which comes with the oven. But at the same time, its owner will be deprived of the risk of remaining without the burners and without the oven in case the switches for some reason fail. Control elements (handles or sensors) can be located in the front or side of the panel.
Cooking metal electrical panel
Solving for themselves the question of choosing an electric hob, many prefer classical models whose base is made of metal: aluminum, stainless or enamelled steel. Any of these options, in addition to relative cheapness, has one indisputable advantage - reliability. Even if a careless landlady drops a heavy pan or a frying pan on the metal surface, this will not cause the electric hob to fail, the maximum will be reflected in its appearance.
Models of aluminum or stainless steel are resistant to mechanical damage and temperature changes, calmly react to contact with chemical cleaning agents. But to give them a perfect appearance they will have to wipe more than once a day, because on their surface are clearly visible fingerprints and water stains. The enamelled electric hob is somewhat easier to clean, but does not tolerate abrasive cleaning and is afraid of blows that lead to the formation of chips on the enamel.
As heating elements in metal electric hobs, closed cooking rings or, as they are also called, "pancakes" are used. They have a high degree of inertia, relatively long heating up and cooling down. The service life of the "pancake" elements averages from 5 to 7 years, after which they have to be changed. To work with them, suitable dishes of any shape and of any material.
Electric hobs - glass ceramics
If you do not take into account the price factor when considering the question "Which electrical hobs are better?", Then the conclusion suggests itself - glass - ceramic . They lack the inertia of metal-pancake models, heating and cooling takes place in a matter of seconds. In addition, only clearly identified zones are heated, and outside the plate always remains cold. Heating elements for glass ceramic panels can be:
- Rapid - represent a spiral. The maximum temperature is reached in 10-15 seconds.
- Halogen - Rapid, supplemented by a powerful lamp, which reduces the speed of heating up to 7-6 seconds.
- Hi-light - in the form of tapes with high resistance and a warm-up speed of about 5 seconds.
- Induction - heating in them occurs due to the interaction of the material of the dishes with the magnetic field created by the built-in inductor coil. The speed of heating is very high, while only the zone under the dishes is heated.
The electric hob from glass ceramics requires the mistress to be very careful, because ceramic does not tolerate blows, abrasives and temperature changes. Until the panel finally cools, do not wipe it with cold water or try to wipe off the escaped soup. But for a long time to leave sweet products on its surface should not be, as this can cause the appearance of ugly spots and even microcracks.
Ceramic cooktop electric
Sometimes the term "ceramic hob" is used. This is not a separate type of electrical appliance, but a simplified name for glass-ceramic surfaces. To the above features of this type of panels, you can add one more - a variety of shapes. A vivid example of this is a corner electric hob, curved-streamlined models or a panel in the form of a hexagon.
Electric cooker with manual control
The classic solution is an electric cooker with mechanical control. The burners are controlled by turning the knobs. The merits of the mechanical control unit include its simplicity, which is very important for the elderly and indifference to voltage surges, which can disable fragile electronics. In addition, if the mechanical unit is damaged, it will be easier to find a breakdown.
Electric hobs with touch control
Sensor control of hobs can be realized by push-button and pictogram method. In the first case, to set the operating mode, you need to press the touch buttons, and in the second - to select the area on the icon. Due to the lack of protruding elements, care of the sensor surface is very simple. When choosing how to choose an electric hob you can find information that touch panels are unreliable and more often mechanical ones fail. To avoid a quick breakdown, it is necessary to protect the technician from voltage surges by installing its stabilizer.
Two-piece electric hob
For a small family, the best electric hob is a two-burner, which is called "domino" for its appearance. Such a panel does not take up much space, even in the smallest kitchen, while it will perfectly cope with its functions. On sale you can find both classic "pancake" models, and multifunctional induction . In addition, there are hybrid models, for example, with one electric and one gas hob.
Three-piece electric hob
The main types of electric cooking surfaces are equipped with an even number of heating zones (elements). A rare exception are cooking surfaces with three burners. They are located either in a triangle or in a row, along the long side of a rectangular panel. There are also three-plate panels rounded or curved.
Electric hob - characteristics
The correct choice of the electric hob can not be done without taking into account all of its characteristics:
- Maximum power consumption - from 3 kW for domino panels, up to 10 kW for five-burners. Panels with a power higher than 7 kW will require a three-phase connection.
- Dimensions - width from 30 to 90 cm, depth 50-52 cm.
- Material:
- metal (aluminum, stainless or enamelled steel);
- ceramics.
- cast-iron ("pancakes");
- ceramic: Rapid, halogen, hi-light, induction.
- mechanical;
- sensory.
- timer;
- residual heat indication;
- boiling sensor;
- fast warm-up;
- panel lock from accidental pressing;
- protection from children.
Electric cooker - dimensions
Thinking about what to choose an electric hob should take into account the need to write it into the available furniture. The width of the standard countertop is about 60 cm, so the technique should not be deeper than 50-52 cm. The width of the panel depends on the model and the number of heating zones and can vary from 30 to 90 cm. When choosing the number of burners, it is not reasonable to be greedy, how many of them can be used at the same time when preparing a dinner for the whole family. In most cases there is enough two- or three-burner surfaces.
Rating of electric hobs
With the existing variety of models and the run-up of prices for them, the question is which firm of an electric hob is by no means an idle one. Here is a short rating of the best cooking hobs:
- Two-burner:
- Gorenje ECT 330 CSC - 2,9 kW, touch control, protection from children, indicator of residual heat.
- Hansa BHCS31116 -3 kW, mechanical control, stylish design.
- Electrolux EHF 6232 - 5.7 kW, touch control, 9 heating levels, Hi-Light burners.
- Hotpoint-Ariston KRO 632 TDZ - 5.8 kW, touch control, timer, Hi-Light burners.
- Gorenje ECT 680-ORA-W - 7.1 kW, touch control, Hi-Light burners, boil sensor.
- Electrolux EHF96547FK - 7,1 kW, touch control, Hi-Light burners, boiling point sensor, interlock.
How to connect an electric hob?
Installation and connection of the electric hob to the network with the right tools and skilled hands will take a little time. The laying of the power cable and the outlet of the outlet must be carefully considered at the stage of kitchen repair. The main rule is observance of all safety standards, we always look for the connection diagram in the instructions to the plate.
To cut the panel, you will need a tape measure, a drill, an electric jigsaw and a set of screwdrivers.
- Mark the location of the hob on the countertop. To do this, you can use the supplied panel with a special template or make a markup yourself, by measuring the base of the panel and adding a couple of centimeters to it.
- Drill through the numbered holes on the table top, and then cut out the hole.
- We glue the side walls of the panel with a special sealing tape to avoid backlash, as well as the appearance of the fungus.
- Install the hob in the prepared hole and fix it from the inside of the table top using the fastener provided.
- The outlet in which our electric hob will turn on is best placed under the countertop to hide the wires. It must be waterproof and must be grounded in accordance with the electrical safety regulations.