Overview of the market of cooking surfaces: varieties of gas panels, the types of electrical panels, domino systems, combined models.
Modular cooking systems ("Domino" and their analogs) - the next step on the path of the evolution of kitchen stoves, after the cooking panel separated from the oven
The panels with a glass-ceramic coating can have the most different shape and sizes.
From the individual elements of Domino (A, B, B, G, E) a single cooking panel is formed (e)
Not every hostess loves to cook, so she does not need brass cabinets and steamers. But the cooking panels are considered "the first among equal" kitchen devices. It is not surprising that they are rapidly in fashion. Choosing such equipment in stores is extremely great.
Differences of species
Manufacturers regularly please the gourmet culinary new ideas, new designs of the embedded panels for cooking. Along with traditional, there are models of the most unusual forms and colors. Of course, unusual, as a rule, affects the cost. If the cooking surface "no complaints" can be purchased for $ 150-200, then the Lux class model will be an order of magnitude more expensive. Approximately 2/3 presented on the market embedded panels - electrical (with electric heating elements).
Among budget options, it is necessary to mention electrical cooking surfaces with an enamel coating and with stainless steel coating. They are simple and reliable in operation, but their appearance suits not all. In addition, the heating elements from the cast iron (well-known "pancakes") are inconvenient to all that they are heated and cooled. The result is reduced by the efficiency of technology, and the risk will accidentally burn, touching the "pancake", on the contrary, increases.
The advantages of the glass ceramics are not limited to the high speed of heating and cooling the surface. More models are distinguished by exquisite appearance. It is not by chance that the increasing number of gas panels and plates designers are equipped with a surface of glass ceramics. Such products are in the model lines of some foreign companies. The cost of panels varies within $ 450-650. For example, I will call ER617501E (Siemens), PGE675K01E (Bosch), T2526N0 (NEFF) (all Germany), GCS64C (Gorenje, Slovenia).
It should be noted that not all gas panels presented on the market are made on glass ceramics. Many used tempered glass (this is called "Gas on the glass"). It is less shockproof, but much cheaper. The models "Gas on the glass" cost $ 250-350, such as EHG645K (Electrolux, Sweden), SP40TAEONN V (Ardo), TD640 (Ariston), ZGG643ica (Zanussi) (all ITALY). Buyers who want to be confident that their gas panel is made precisely on glass ceramics, should clarify this from the seller. The best proof will be the branded inscription of the glass-ceramic manufacturer on the panel itself (for example, CERAN).
Otherwise it is dealing with electrical panels. Today, glass-ceramic can be found at $ 250- 300. This is BHCI622524 (Amisa International, Germany), ZC6695 (Zanussi), AKR105WH (WHIRLPOOL, USA).
Along with pure gas or electric models, comboelectric combined: EXG676ICN (Electrolux), T9526N0 (NEFF), GCS62C (Gorenje), PH741RQOGH (Ariston). They are equipped with two-three gas and one or two electrical burners. Such cooking panels are especially useful in places where gas and electricity supply interruptions are possible, such as the city.
What is the best heating method?
Finally, another type of conforming induction. They provide the fastest, efficient and safe heating, which is created using an alternating electromagnetic field, due to the excitation of electrical currents in a conductive material (metal bottom of the dishes). The burner does not heat at all. Many experts believe that the future is behind induction devices. Already, electric cooking panels, fully or partially equipped with induction burners, are offered by Bosch, Miele, Siemens (Germany), Dedietrich (France), Teka (Spain), Gorenje, Electrolux. The combined gas induction panels are significantly less common, such as DTI302B (de dietrich).
Hospitality, widespread surfaces equipped with induction hills, prevent such reasons such as high cost ($ 600-800) and the need to update the Park Park. For these burners, cookware is suitable for the bottom of ferromagnetic alloys, as well as cast iron pans and saucepans (you can and grandmothers, most importantly, with a smooth bottom). Avtus dishes made of aluminum, copper, brass and stainless steel (unless it is indicated that it is suitable for induction working zones), not to mention non-metallic, not suitable.
If you compare the efficiency of the burners of different types, then the most "high-speed" (with the power produced about 2000W) will be gas and induction. It can be reduced to a boil from about 4.5 minutes. Next are the halogen, which will be required by 25-30% more time on the same procedure. The most "slow" are hobs with spiral heating elements, it will require approximately 7.5 mim for a similar action.
Auto from the point of view of economy outside the competition induction burners are almost 2 times more efficient than gas. Calcuted "lagging" - gas and cast iron burners. The glass-ceramic panels occupy an intermediate position between induction and gas.
Forewarned is forearmed
Recall briefly basic requirements for the choice and installation of cooking panels.Gas or electric panels? Alas, it does not have to choose here more often (except for the construction of the cottage). Professionals recommend using the type of equipment that is calculated by the dwelling. WIJE elimination electrical panel can be mounted in the kitchen intended for gas stoves. But according to, according to Article.25 of the housing code, the installation of electric boards instead of gas is considered to be reorganized by residential premises. This procedure must be coordinated in the city housing inspection and on the basis of the obtained permit. The same exploitation of electrical cooking panels will be more expensive.
All operations on the installation of gas panels should only be made by experts. These can be either an employee of the city gas-technical service (for example, Mosgaz), or specialists from a variety of service services that have passed annual re-certification for knowledge of rules and safety, technology of gas-hazardous work.
Cooking surfaces can have a common control panel with a brass cabinet. Then they are called dependent, it is impossible to install them and operate separately from the oven (because the hubs control knobs are located on the front panel of the oven). If the owners do not want to equip the kitchen with a built-in oven or prefer a cooking panel and an oven, located separately from each other, they will need the so-called independent cooking surface, equipped with its own control panel.
It is not recommended to place these devices too close to the refrigerator and other technique, which can fail under the action of high temperatures. Between the cooking panel and the wall of the refrigerator (or furniture item) should be a distance of at least 100mm.
Comfort among konforoka
On a wide (750mm) KM507 panel, it is possible to place enough dimensional dishes without much difficulty, such as pots or frying pan. In order for the selected cooking panel, it is possible to pay attention to the quantity, power and location of the burner. The large number of their number (five or even six) allows you to significantly speed up the cooking process. In addition, on such a "luxurious" surface without difficulty, you can accommodate several large frying pan. It is worth noting that among multicline panels there are budget models worth $ 300-400. Such, for example, gas cooking surfaces with FR50MTVOXS (Ardo), PCL785DEU (BOSCH), PCL785DEU (BOSCH) or Six-party PH760 panel (Ariston).
For efficient use of the panel, the size and power of the burners are important. Along with the standard (about 2 km), cooking surfaces can be equipped with reduced and high power by hubs (0.2-5kW). Such a variety of sometimes turns out to be very useful, since each culinary procedure requires its degree of heating.
Most electrical glass-ceramic panels are equipped with one or more burners with a variable heating zone. This contributes to more economical use of electricity, after all, you can pick up the size of the dishes the most suitable hot zone. Cover with two and three contours received widespread, as well as with an oval "spot" of heating (a bussyman with an oval bottom will well stand at it). The area of "stains" is changed either manually or automatically using the Sensor Control option, like on the AEG-Electrolux brand panels (Electrolux).
Domino dominates!
What are domino kits? Not other than the sets of embedded sections (modules) having standard dimensions of 500300mm. It can be a cooktop with one or more burners, grill, fryer,
In modular systems "Domino" each element is equipped with its own heating regulators IT.D. A variety of options allows customers to choose the kitchen devices you need, that is, construct the cooking panel yourself. The buyer itself determines the quantity and type of burners, their mutual location and power. It can, for example, create a combination of multiple induction rugs of medium power for everyday use, grill and other devices. The Chinese cuisine, probably wants to add to this heavy duty gas burner Wok to quickly roast products.
Of course, the greater the number of modules is represented in the series, the wider the possibilities for designing the surface. The number of options for different manufacturers can vary significantly. Uardo, for example, only two types of module- with gas or with electrical burners. AB AEG-ELECTROLUX and MIELE is already more than ten. At the same time, many manufacturers try to offer exclusive functions. For example, the "Combi" (Miele) kit includes a module with built-in scales or washing with a volume of 4l. AB series Domino (Siemens) has a module with built-in kitchen process.
What's new?
The TT 75 VZ panel with the built-in double boiler offers Teka. In addition to conventional electric burners, there is a large double-circuit burner. Also included special accessories for processing products for couples. Another new company TEKA-portable cooking modules, sort of "Power plants of the XXI century", which are convenient to use in country conditions.
A number of improvements appeared in Siemens cooking panels. The new models of the company are equipped with a frying sensor, which guarantees the quality of roasting in the pan, and the so-called infrared boiling sensor. It allows you to automatically bring the contents of the pan to a boil, after which it is to maintain this process without any participation of a person.
"Griest" electronics and gas cooking panels. For example, Bosch offers a ruler with fully electronic control FlameTronic2. Watch devices are implemented fully automatic gas tag (it is enough to rotate the regulator to suppress additionally on the electrojagal buttons do not need), automatic rejigig (the panel will try to light the gas itself; if the fire has not caught fire for 10s, gas is overlapped). The new BOSCH gas panel models are equipped with an electronic timer with a function of automatic shutdown of gas supply and electronic protection system.
Finally, I want to say about security. When choosing a cooking panel, you will definitely ask what functions is that such or another model. Electrical devices are equipped with heating and residual heat indicators, so that it is not freezing with an inappropriate. The protection system of children allows you to remove the lock only by simultaneously pressing multiple buttons. The same feature prevents accidental onboard. An electronic protection against overheating is also useful. It will automatically turn off the burner when the heating element reaches an unacceptably high temperature. No less important is the gas control system, stopping gas supply if the flame suddenly goes out. All of these technical tricks are fully justified: after all, only safe use of cooking panels can be truly comfortable.
The editors thanks the representative offices of Electrolux companies, Gorenje, Indesit Company, Amica International, Miele, Teka, BShbytov technique for help in preparing the material.