How to choose a gas hob?

The recessed gas hob is an ergonomic, compact solution for a modern kitchen. And if you decide to abandon the usual monoblock scheme “gas stove + oven” in favor of an independent panel with heating elements, today we will tell you how to choose a gas hob among a huge variety of options and models.

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What distinguishes the hob from the stove?

The built-in hob operating on natural gas is highly economical since the gas burners installed on it heat up the products very quickly. The best modern models are equipped with unique burners with two or three rows of flame, which significantly reduces the cooking time and boiling water. And in order to prepare a dish with minimal heating, you can use the burners with a hidden flame. Such a fire allows you to evenly warm the entire surface of the dishes.

A gas hob is almost always equipped with electric ignition, which allows you to use the stove without the use of matches.

Unlike gas stoves, the built-in panel does not take up much space, sometimes completely unused. Many housewives do not use the oven, which is equipped with a stove and this cabinet turns into a storage for old pans. The hob solves this problem at once, in addition, it can always be arranged taking into account the wishes of the hostess and in any convenient place.

Very often there is a small gap between the stove and kitchen furniture, which over time is filled with grease, garbage and dirt. With a hob, such problems do not arise in principle. If we compare the gas panel with an electric and induction analog, then the gas model is the cheapest and easiest to operate. Of course, the gas panel is inferior in electronic features to its “relatives”, but the gas-powered panel reacts much faster to changing cooking modes (diminishing, adding and turning off the flame).

Summing up the above, we highlight the following advantages of the built-in gas panel:

• High profitability.
• Significantly reduced cooking time.
• Equipped with electric ignition.
• Compactness.
• Does not take up much space.
• You can always choose a convenient location.
• Simple care.
• Equipped with modern management and control system.
• The cooking process is simple and safe.
• Modern design.

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Cons of equipment

When choosing cooking surfaces, it is necessary to take into account the disadvantages of gas devices:

• Gas is always a source of increased danger. Handling it requires compliance with a number of rules.
• Installation of gas devices and carrying their position in the kitchen will require mandatory coordination with specialized organizations.
• All technological work must be carried out by gas service specialists.
• All gas panels are less susceptible to any kind of automation.

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Criteria for choosing a gas hob

To correctly choose a gas hob, several factors must be taken into account at once:

• The dimensions of the device.
• Surface material.
• Type and number of burners.
• Necessary functions for cooking.

Consider all these factors in more detail to help you choose the best gas hob.

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Choose design type and size

Two types of devices are structurally distinguished:

• Addicted.
• Independent.

Which design to choose is up to the owner to decide. We will introduce you to the main design differences:

• Independent gas hobs have a separate control panel and are independent of the type and arrangement of the oven. Such units allow you to completely abandon the oven or place the oven in any other place convenient for you. An autonomous hob can be controlled either by mechanical rotary levers or by touch buttons.
• Dependent devices are only installed with the oven and do not have burner switches. You can only control the hob from the panel located on the surface of the oven. This design resembles a stationary gas stove.

Important! Dependent built-in surface and oven must be purchased from one manufacturer, since only in this case the dimensions of the devices will correspond and there will be no conflict in the control system.

As for the size of the device. If you are thinking about how to choose a gas hob, it means that you need to save kitchen space:

1. The vast majority of models are given to the standard: width - 600 mm, depth - 520-530 mm.
2. However, this is not a dogma, since if you wish, you can choose a wider model of 75 cm and even 90 cm.
3. And vice versa, if two burners are enough for you, then you can choose a narrower model, only 45 cm or 50 cm wide.

Important! In addition, there are a number of models executed on the principle of "dominoes", that is, the modular design consists of elements 30 cm wide, and depending on the needs, the consumer chooses the right number of modules.

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Which gas hob is better in type of material?

Recessed panels differ in the material of the work surface.

Enamelled metal

This is the most inexpensive, budget option. The steel base is coated with glossy enamel. Such surfaces are made in various colors and designs, so it will be easy to choose a gas hob in accordance with the kitchen facade. Enamels of various shades of white are most in demand, but you can pick up both deep blue and cheerful orange.

Enamel panels are strong enough, but care for them requires some effort, since enameled steel quickly loses its protective properties and any scratch can damage the surface.

Important! An open flame on the surface can also cause darkening of the enamel.

Stainless steel surface

Such panels are stronger than enamel, but they are not very practical, as they require special care. Manufacturers offer surfaces in polished and matte finish. The advantages, in addition to price, include the characteristic metallic luster and beauty. The panels are not afraid of shock and high temperatures, they are easy and quick to clean.

Disadvantages that must be remembered before choosing a gas hob with such material:

• all dirt, greasy and dirty fingerprints, traces of boiled liquid are very clearly visible on the surface.
• surface care products require special household products.

Glass ceramic

Glass-ceramic surfaces guarantee a stylish design and high power burners.Glass ceramics is a durable, reliable material with an absolutely even and smooth surface. Caring for such a surface is not difficult, however, special chemical compositions are needed to clean glass ceramics.

Important! It must be remembered that glass ceramics are very sensitive to mechanical damage and cannot tolerate sugar-containing products on the surface. To tear off sugar without violating the integrity of the decorative surface of the panel is almost impossible.

Strained glass

Tempered glass is an alternative to expensive glass ceramics. The panels, created using the “gas on glass” technology, are not inferior in appearance to glass ceramics, but are cheaper, practical and easy to maintain. This option uses a combination of safety and tempered glass.

Tempered glass surfaces are easy to clean and wash, have high performance and excellent appearance. Such a coating is convenient for everyone, but it requires careful handling, since any accented surface impact can crack.

Important! When choosing a tempered glass surface, pay special attention to the grille - it should have rubber tips. Do not purchase a plate with a grill without such tips, since without them the grill will scratch the glass surface.

If the information provided was not enough for you, follow the link where you will find a more detailed overview on the topic “Which hob is better - stainless steel or glass?”.

Always pay attention to the material of the panel grilles. Traditional grilles are made of stainless steel, but more durable and practical cast iron grilles.

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Number and type of burners

In gas hobs, only gas burners are installed, which can have various modifications:

• Standard with one row of flame.
• “Double crown” with an ordinary fire divider. Thanks to the divider, two circles of flame are formed.
• “Triple crown” with a double divider and three flame circles. Burners of this type are very economical and allow you to heat food in the shortest possible time. This is the best gas hob if you need to cook large volumes of food.
• Grill burner. The burner is a grate with heating elements located below it. It is used for cooking meat, fish or vegetables without oil and utensils. It is installed only on wide surfaces.
• The WOK burner has 3-4 rows of flame and a special stand for dishes with a spherical or conical bottom. It has a concave shape and increased power.
• The ring is elliptical. It is used for cooking in appropriate elongated dishes.

Useful Tips:

• The surface dimensions must correspond to the number of burners. Compact models with a large number of burners are not able to place several pots at a time.
• For the average family, 3-4 burners are enough.

Important! Regardless of what size and functionality you decide to choose a stove, you will definitely need a selection of effective methods during its operation, so that even if the food has run away or burned, you couldclean the hob in 5 minutes.

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Switch type

Most models use mechanical or electromechanical control with familiar cylindrical handwheels, which can be swivel or recessed into the panel. The heated switches look more presentable, in addition, they simplify surface care and make it impossible to accidentally turn on the stove.

Important! There are more modern devices with touch control of each burner and with an electronic temperature indicator. Such models allow you to quickly select the level of heating power.

The ignition system, which is also an important criterion when you need to choose a gas hob, exists in two ways:

• A spark is applied when a special button is pressed, common to all hotplates. For this type of ignition, the interaction of two hands is necessary: ​​one - opens the gas supply, the other - presses the ignition button.
• The opening of the gas and the supply of sparks are performed simultaneously. This is a more convenient option: with one hand on the flywheel of a particular burner, gas is ignited.

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Useful gas cooktop features

The most necessary and useful functions of the device are:

• Gas control. This option ensures the safe use of the device. The gas supply immediately stops if the flame goes out for some reason.
• Overheat protection. The fire will be turned off if, for example, water in a kettle forgotten on a stove is completely boiled away.
• One-touch gas lock on all burners. A special button allows you to block the panel and, thereby, increases the safety of its use. This is a very important option, especially in families with children, so that with their careless actions they could not cause any emergency situations.
• Sleep timer A good additional feature that can not only give an audible signal, but also turn off the gas at a set time. The built-in timer makes it possible to program the cooking time.
• “Recording in memory” will allow you to enter the cooking time of your favorite dishes into the program, up to a change in the intensity of the flame.
• Disable burners if no user commands are received.
• Electric ignition. Cooking gas surfaces can be equipped with an ignition device using an electric spark. Electric ignition can be mechanical or automatic.
• “Repojig”. This feature is not available on all models. The meaning of the additional option is that when the flame goes out, the ignition is repeated automatically. If the flame does not appear when switching on again, the gas supply will be interrupted.

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How to choose a gas hob: useful tips

To make the right choice, take the choice seriously. Which gas hob is better depends on how responsibly the manufacturer approached the surface equipment. When choosing a technique, pay attention to the following elements:

• Lattices. They can be separate (for each burner) or make up an integral element of the equipment of the stove. Of course, sectional grills are more convenient to wash, but there is a risk that during cooking they will move from side to side. Therefore, pay special attention not only to the strength of the grill, but also to the reliability of its fastening to the panel surface.
• Gas-burners. It is important not only the number and location of the burners, but also their size. It is advisable that at least one burner be larger than the others, as sometimes you will have to use large cookware for cooking. The hobs should be positioned so that the dishes do not interfere with each other, even during the simultaneous use of all elements of the stove. Burners can also differ in gas supply power.
• Control knobs. An electromechanical control system is considered more convenient and safe than a mechanical one.

Important! Do not forget to familiarize yourself with how gas hob connectionwhich requirements must be followed.

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Gas hob - which company is better?

You can choose a gas hob in one of three categories:

• Elite technique of high quality. The first category includes panels of the following companies: AEG, Miele, Gaggenau, Kuppersberg. AEG is one of the leaders in this field. All models of the company are equipped with gas-control protection systems, and possible overheating. The company pays special attention to safety, many models are equipped with indicators of heating temperature and residual heat.True connoisseurs of modern technology speak very well of the stylish Kuppersberg tempered glass panels. A complete package of all possible additional functions, automatic ignition, cast-iron grilles - all this brings the panels to the category of elite ones.
• Middle class technology. The equipment of the following companies belongs to this category: Electrolux, Whirlpool, Siemens, Gorenje, Bosch, Zanussi. The equipment of these manufacturers has the best price-quality ratio. This group has a fairly wide range of models from inexpensive to “advanced”.
• Budget technology. Affordable prices are by no means evidence of poor quality. Cooktops with enameled and stainless surfaces are presented in this category, having a different number of burners, differing in both functionality and design. The best gas hobs in this group are the brands Ardo, Hansa, Ariston.

Important! To understand the differences in characteristics, sizes and other important parameters you will be helped by our rating of the best gas hobs.

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Stock footage

To choose the right functional gas hob, pay attention to its characteristics and determine for yourself the set of the most important additional options so as not to overpay for “bells and whistles”. And of course, the best choice for the device is a functional panel from a well-known mid-range manufacturer. We hope that our information helped you make your choice and you are happy to cook your favorite dishes on the hob.