Which is better - a stove or hob?

The fact that how much time and effort you have to spend preparing food every day completely depends on how practical, functional, convenient the kitchen equipment will be. That is why when repairing or equipping a new apartment, house, the question arises: which is better - a stove or hob? To clarify for yourself all the advantages and disadvantages of each type of equipment is possible only if you compare the stove with the hob according to the most important characteristics. You will find such a comparative analysis in this article.

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Criterias of choice

Before deciding whether a stove or hob will be more appropriate in your kitchen, you need to decide what criteria to compare them with. Regardless of the size, design of the kitchen, the following factors will determine:

1. Appearance, breadth of design possibilities.
2. Overall dimensions and weight.
3. Cost.
4. Technology and installation conditions.
5. Technical and functional features.
6. Energy consumption.

Important! Some characteristics cannot be taken into account, while others should be ignored. Only if you consider options for models based on a set of your requirements and expected operating conditions, will you be able to correctly decide which is better - a stove or hob. So - you will not have any discomfort or inconvenience during the solution of daily household tasks.

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Appearance

As for the external design, there are few restrictions today. Every year, manufacturers are showing more and more imagination, so at least in terms of color, today you can find very original models - colorful and bright, with patterns and a specific shape.

If we consider separately taken categories - stove and hobs, here we must take into account the following nuances:

1. The stove is already a one-piece technique that has several functions to solve all your desires with cooking. It is enough to decide on a suitable model, based on the style of the kitchen, and it will harmoniously fit into the interior.
2. A hob - as a rule, by itself looks more advantageous and organic, but you will have to choose an oven in a similar design and design. And this may not always be as easy as it seems at first glance.

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Overall dimensions and weight

By the criterion of overall dimensions and weight, the question is solved much faster, which is better - a stove or hob:

1. The built-in surface for cooking is very compact, takes up little vertical space, and therefore makes it possible to maximize the use of the free space under it. Look for detailed information in our article. "Dimensions of built-in hobs".
2. Stove - even the most advanced model has a significantly large weight and dimensions, so the place of its installation and the complete set of furniture nearby must be carefully thought out in advance. However, if you plan to cook a large number of dishes, to make large portions of blanks for the winter, then you should know that:
   • the plate can withstand any weight without restrictions;
   • the maximum load on 1 cooking zone burner is 5 kg, and in general on the surface - not higher than 15 kg.

Important! Regarding weight and size, there is one caveat.It consists in whether you determine what is best - a stove or a separate hob and an oven, or you are not going to purchase an oven. In the first case, you will also have to think about how to organize the space so that there is also free space for movement in the kitchen.

In the kitchen, you should think through everything to the smallest detail before installing appliances and furniture, so use our tips:

• Kitchen design 9 sq.m.
• How to make a kitchen project on a computer yourself?

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Cost

By the criterion of a more preferable price, everything is extremely easy:

1. The answer to the question, which is better - a stove or a separate hob and an oven, will be “no difference”. The total cost of a set of equipment can sometimes be even higher than the price of a stove with an oven, although in general it is proportional.
2. When choosing only a panel or stove - a hob, as it will be much cheaper.

Important! Focusing on the cost, do not forget that the price depends on a particular brand, class of equipment. Therefore, if you are considering models and stoves, and hobs, ask the price in one quality.

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Technology and installation conditions

By this criterion, the stove definitely remains the winner. To make sure of this when solving the problem, which is better - a stove or hob, you just need to understand the following nuances:

1. The stove is installed anywhere, without special restrictions. If this is electrical equipment, professional connection services are not required here. If you purchase a gas model, you only need to calculate clearly the dimensions of the installation site when arranging the rest of the furniture, and the connection and commissioning is carried out only by energy service employees.
2. Cooktops are always mounted by masters of a suitable profile and qualification, since they must be built into furniture. In addition, you will first need to prepare the surface of the furniture for installation - to make perfectly accurate cutouts, without significant gaps in the void or missing centimeters.

Important! If you plan to install new equipment yourself, then use our detailed algorithms for connecting different types of equipment:

• Connect the gas stove.
• How to connect an electric stove by yourself?
• Induction hob installation.

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Technical and Functionality

Definitely say that it is better for this parameter is not easy. It all depends on your personal priorities, in particular:

1. The power of the hob, and hence the speed of heating, cooling the burners, depends on the material of execution, the principle of operation. On such a surface, as a rule, a limited number of dishes is prepared in terms of volume and type. But at the same time, built-in panels are considered more secure, since most modern models have a variety of functions - auto power off, timers, etc.
2. The stove will allow you to cook as many dishes and in the amount that you need. Functionality, as well as ease of use are determined primarily by the type of energy consumption. For example, gas provide the most natural, quick cooking, with the ability to perfectly fine-tune the flame. Electric stoves lose in this respect, but they are safer.

Important! For those who want to choose the best plate model, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with our individual ratings:

• The best electric stoves.
• Gas stove - how to choose an inexpensive and high-quality?

Important! How to decide faster, because functionality is one of the main criteria and completely affects your further convenience? - It's simple:

• If you make a choice which is better - a stove or hob, but you are going to take an electric stove, but you do not plan to purchase an oven, take a panel.
• If the choice is between a gas stove or a panel, when you have a large family or you always like to experiment in the field of cooking, then only a stove.

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Energy consumption

According to the energy consumption parameter, it is impossible to unequivocally state that it is better - a stove or hob. It all depends on the type of energy source, its cost. For example:

• gas equipment is much cheaper to operate than electrical;
• electric is more profitable in terms of return and useful performance, since it exceeds the performance of analogues with gas consumption by 20 percent;

Important! Despite these factors, stoves always consume more energy than hobs, but hobs, in turn, cannot always satisfy all the needs of the user.

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Stock footage

We hope that after reading the information in this article, you can finally determine for yourself which is better - a stove or hob. The only thing left is to choose the right model, install it with pleasure.