Hobs: specifications, types

The general type of device this model belongs to. In addition to hobs as such, there are other cooking appliances on the market that are built in the same way.

— Hob. Hobs in the traditional sense of the word are heating appliances with one or more burners on which dishes are placed for cooking. A hob is a must for any kitchen; often it is part of the cooker. However, such surfaces are produced as separate embedded devices — in this case, they are discussed.

— Grill. Device for frying various products on the grill due to thermal radiation — similar to cooking on charcoal. A characteristic external feature of built-in grills is the grate under which the heater is located. The grill allows you to diversify the range of products that can be cooked in the kitchen, and the process itself takes place without excess fat — moreover, own fat from meat and other products melts and flows down when heated. Thus, this cooking method is considered one of the healthiest (as far as frying can be healthy in general). On the other hand, the grill is a rather highly specialized device, and it takes up at least as much space as a two-burner domino hob. Therefore, it makes sense to install such devices only in spacious kitchens, where there is a lot of free space for additional equipment. If there is not enough space, it is easier to use compact portable grills.

— Fryer. A device for frying food in deep fat — heated fat (usually vegetable oil). In this way, you can cook french fries, various hot snacks in batter (mushrooms, seafood), some types of dough products and much more. A fryer usually consists of a fat tank with an electric heater at the bottom and a metal basket in which the food to be fried is dipped in and out of the fat. Similar to the grill described above, such a device expands the possibilities for cooking. However, it has a narrow specialization and, in a built-in design, is intended for kitchens where there is a lot of space.

— Teppanyaki.... A cooking device that is a hybrid of burners and a frying pan: it looks like a rather large flat surface, which heats up to a high temperature during operation — cooked products are placed on this surface. Initially, teppan (teppanyaki) is an inventory from Japanese cuisine, used mainly for frying various seafood (shrimp, mussels, etc.) with oil. However, in addition to this, such a device is also used in Western cuisine — for meat and vegetables. Note that it can be combined with a grill (see above). Like any specialized appliance, it makes sense to purchase a built-in teppan if there is a lot of free space in the kitchen.

— Wok. Electric hobs that have a concave base, especially for use with wok pans. Due to the infrequent use of such kitchen utensils, the variety of such models is not great. And the use of classic frying pans, pots and other utensils is not possible. That is why wok hobs are provided as an addition to the main hob.

— Gas. One of the key advantages of gas burners is considered to be an instant reaction to the turn of the knob, which allows you to control the cooking mode very precisely. In addition, such heaters are compatible with any heat-resistant cookware, regardless of the material from which it is made. Besides, they work effectively with cookware with any bottom, not necessarily flat (the main thing is that the cookware can stand stably on the grate). Another advantage, in this case, may be the low cost of gas compared to electricity. At the same time, gas burners require care and caution both during ignition and during cooking, and a specialist should be involved in connecting such a hob. By itself, the gas flame is not suitable for some specific devices (see "Product type"): for example, it is practically not used for grills and fryers. Also, note that gas pipelines for connection are far from being everywhere: for example, in the private sector or rural areas it may cause problems, and in houses above 10 floors gas is not used due to safety requirements. However, there remains a fallback option — replaceable gas cylinders. Nevertheless, it can only be considered an extreme measure, and in the absence of gas, it is usually more convenient to acquire an electric stove.

— Electric. Electric heaters are considered easier and safer to use than gas ones. So, they turn on and of...f with a simple turn of the knob, gas leakage is impossible in them, you do not need to control the flame, and the spilt liquid is only fraught with unscheduled cleaning on the stove. Electric heating is suitable for absolutely any type of built-in hob (see "Product type"), and for grills, it is generally the only option available. At the same time, various additional functions can be provided in devices with electric heaters — up to preinstalled cooking programmes. Also, the burner can be given a non-standard shape, unlike a gas burner. With all this, there are mains in every room where hobs are generally used, which makes such models more versatile. And connection, is generally much simpler than gas heaters, although a specialist is needed (for more details, see "Input power"). However, electric burners consume a lot of electricity, which can affect electricity bills and require high-quality wiring. nevertheless, in more or less new homes, there are almost no problems with wiring. Of the unequivocal disadvantages of electric hobs, it is worth noting significant thermal inertia: in other words, the burner does not react immediately to turning the knob, and sometimes the delay is calculated in tens of seconds or even minutes. However, there are some types of burners where this drawback is completely or partially eliminated, but they, in turn, are not cheap (for more details on the different types of burners, see below). The second important point is the specific requirements for the cookware: for normal heating, it must have a flat bottom that is in close contact with the burner. And induction heaters also have a limitation on materials. Also, among the disadvantages, one can mention a lower heating temperature than gas, but this point is relevant mainly for specific recipes. Among the electric ones, there are models equipped with both one type of burners ( induction, Hi-Light, solid plate), and mixed options (induction with Hi-Light burners).

— Combined. A hob equipped with two types of burners at once — gas and electric. More details about each option are written above. And combined models are most often four-burner hobs, equipped with burners according to the “3+1” scheme (3 gas and 1 electric) or “2+2” (respectively, equally those and those). The first option will be convenient primarily where there may be interruptions in gas supply: when the gas is turned off, you can use the “spare” electric burner. The second option is suitable for those who have an extensive supply of recipes and prefer to use different types of burners for different situations. However, both situations are rare, and the combined models themselves combine not only the advantages but also the disadvantages of both types of heaters. For example, they require a gas connection and consume a lot of energy when operating electric burners. As a result, this type is much less common than purely gas or electric models.

— Retro. Hobs designed in the retro style — while the functionality of such models, usually, is quite modern (similar to the classic ones). Such models are designed mainly for kitchens of the corresponding design. Retro design is usually expensive, and devices in this category, as well as hobs of an unusual shape, (see below), with equal performance, are noticeably more expensive than analogues with a classic appearance.

— Domino. A specific type of compact hobs, usually with one or two burners. The name is because such models in appearance resemble a domino, and two burners enhance the similarity. However, this option is popular not only among hobs but also among grills and fryers (see "Product type"). The domino hob is usually installed across the countertop, from the wall to the front edge. As the main hob, this option is very convenient in cramped conditions when there is not much space in the kitchen. Also, from devices of this type, you can assemble a multi-purpose kit: for example, install a hob, grill and tepan side-by-side. Another application option is the expansion of an existing hob. However, in appearance, dominoes are most often similar to classic models and poorly fit into the retro design.

— Non-standard. Hobs of original designs that do not fit into any of the categories mentioned above. Most of these models...have a horizontal layout — the width of the surface is much greater than its depth, and the burners are located along the hob. In this case, the number and size of burners can be different; models are produced both with the same heaters and with different sizes. And some designs are made in the form of flat surfaces that do not have protruding parts: touch sensors are responsible for control, and the burners are highlighted only by a pattern on the working part. There are other options, even more extravagant — such as round or teardrop surfaces. Anyway, a custom design can be useful not only from an aesthetic point of view but also from a practical point of view: it can be the best option where it is difficult to install a hob in a more traditional design.

— Enamel. The simplest and most common type of coating. Enamel combines low cost and good strength parameters. In addition, it can be produced in almost any colour. On the other hand, cleaning it can require considerable effort, and over time scratches and chips appear on such a surface.

— Stainless steel. Steel surfaces have a nice appearance. In addition, they are stronger than enamelled ones; cracks and chips do not appear on them. Also, steel is quite easy to clean, but it is difficult to maintain its cleanliness — dirt appears easily, and even fingerprints can ruin a neat appearance. And for cleaning you need to use special tools, otherwise, you can scratch the stove.

— Glass ceramics. Glass ceramics as a material is generally remarkable for its high thermal conductivity combined with good strength and heat resistance specs. Schott Ceram and EuroKera, manufacturers of this very glass ceramics, which manufacturers of household appliances install in their models, were especially successful in this. It made it possible to create original models of electric hobs, where the heating elements are located under a solid glass ceramic surface. The properties of this material allow it to be used with induction hobs(see below). Such surfaces do not have protruding part...s, and the location of the heaters is marked only by lines; thanks to this, you can conveniently move the dishes between the heaters, and cleaning such a surface is as simple as possible. However, there are also disadvantages: glass ceramics is less durable than enamel or steel. It requires dishes with a flat bottom, and spilling liquid on a flat surface is fraught with spreading over the entire stove and (not only). Also, this material is used in gas cooking surfaces "gas-on-glass". However, it is rather fashionable because, in addition to strength, it does not have key advantages over a tempered glass (see below) but costs significantly more.

— Tempered glass. The material used in gas-on-glass cooking hobs. it is used to make a surface over which gas burners are located. Such models have an original appearance, and the glass itself is scratch-resistant and can be cleaned well. Its strength and resistance to heat are much lower than that of glass ceramics (in fact, the latter has become the reason that tempered glass is not used in electric hobs), but these moments are more than offset by low cost.

— Cast iron. An original variant found in some premium gas models. The working surface, in this case, is made of the same cast iron as the burner grates, and the grates themselves are protrusions on the cast iron surface. It gives the entire structure an unusual, very strict appearance. And it increases its reliability: the design of the burner grates is such that they will not bend even under the heaviest dishes. On the other hand, cleaning such a surface can be quite laborious, and this option is not cheap. Because of this, there are only a few models with cast-iron surfaces on the market.

The total number of traditional gas burners in a gas or combined model. For the advantages and disadvantages of such heaters, see "Burner type".

The number of gas burners in which the flame is located not in one, as in standard burners, but in two (or three) rows — in other words, in the form of two (three) rings, one inside the other. Burners with this design have more power than conventional single-row ones and heat the bottom of the pan more evenly, which can be especially useful when frying. In addition, it is believed that such heaters are best suited for wok pans. At the same time, for most tasks, such increased power is unnecessary. Therefore, most models with this function have only one turbo burner.

The total number of solid plate burners in the design of the device.

Their main and the only advantage is their low cost. But solid plate burners heat up and cool down quite slowly, which makes it difficult to control the cooking process properly. In addition, they can become deformed over time (this is especially true for inexpensive models), and after 2 to 3 years, the burner may need to be replaced. As a result, solid plate hobs are not often used as the primary and only heater — they are more popular as a fallback option for combination hobs (see "Burner type").

The number of Hi-Light burners in the design of the hob.

Hi-Light is an electric heater designed to eliminate the main disadvantages of solid plate burners (see above). Instead of a heating element, the “hi-lights” use a thin metal tape, and instead of a metal disc, glass-ceramic is used (see “Hob material”). Due to this, heaters of this type heat up and cool down noticeably faster than classic solid plate burners (although they are much more expensive).

The number of induction burners in the design of the hob.

A feature of such a burner is that it does not heat up by itself but transfers energy to the dishes using electromagnetic radiation. This radiation is safe for humans, and at the bottom of the dishes, it creates currents, providing heating. This format of operation provides several advantages over traditional heaters. Firstly, the burner instantly responds to a change in the operating mode — in this respect, induction heaters are similar to gas ones. Secondly, the surface of the hob (usually glass or glass-ceramic) practically does not heat up — except that part of the heat is transferred from the heated dishes; this has a positive effect on safety. Thirdly, induction burners are quite economical in terms of energy consumption. Among the disadvantages of induction heating, in addition to the high cost, we can mention that it only works with dishes made of thick steel or cast iron. Other metals on such a burner will heat up weakly, and glass, ceramics and other non-magnetic materials will not heat up at all. However, a lot of modern cookware is created specifically for compatibility with induction, which often has a corresponding designation on the bottom.

The ability of using the entire working area of the hob as a single heating zone. The technology is used in advanced induction hobs for maximum convenience of cooking.

Special zones on the surface of the hob suggesting the possibility of using dishes of non-standard shapes and sizes. The FlexZone consists of several induction heating zones under a single glass-ceramic substrate, which are activated depending on the size of the installed cookware. Hobs with an adaptive zone automatically recognize the presence of objects, and the simultaneous use of different types of dishes in this zone is also allowed.

A function that allows you to combine two (or more) adjacent electric hotplates into one burner. Often, this mode is found in induction hobs, less often in Hi-Light, and is not used in gas hobs. Often the "bridge" looks like one continuous heater of an elongated shape, the individual parts of which can be turned on independently and are separate burners. Anyway, the bridge mode (Bridge) can be useful primarily for working with elongated utensils — for example, goose roasters. In addition, the design may provide various additional functions — for example, the ability to set different power settings for different parts of the "bridge" and move the dishes between them depending on the readiness of the dish. At the same time, unlike conventional burners, the heating will turn on automatically, according to the presence of dishes on the burner.

The presence on the hob of one or more dual-circuit burners — heaters with the possibility of increasing the diameter.

Only Hi-Light or induction hotplates can be dual-circuit burners (see "burner type"). Such a heater looks like several circles of different diameters with a common centre; each circle corresponds to one of the options of the working diameter that can be selected for the burner. The number of these options is usually 2 or 3, and if there is more than one dual-circuit burner, they may differ in the number of diameters available.

Anyway, this feature allows you to select the working size of the burner for the diameter of the dishes. This function should not be confused with the oval dual zone (see below): the oval dual zone gives the burner an elongated shape, and the dual-circuit burner remains round regardless of the selected size.

The presence of an oval-shaped heating zone on the hob. Such a heater is useful for working with appropriate elongated dishes (for example, goose roasters). In models with electric heaters (see "Burner type") the desired shape is provided by an additional segment installed close to the burner; the burner in normal mode works like a regular round one, and when the segment is connected, it turns into an oval. In gas models, a separate elongated burner is installed.

A similar effect can be achieved using the bridge mode (see "Features"). However, the bridge and the oval zone are still different functions: the first involves combining two burners, and the second is implemented strictly on one burner.

Nominal burners power. It refers to the power consumption of the heater. This parameter allows you to estimate how much electricity the burners will spend when operating at maximum heating intensity. At the same time, the heat transfer power of different burners can be different, and the actual heating efficiency will also greatly depend on the specs of the dishes. As a result, it hardly makes sense to evaluate the working capabilities of the hob by the power of the burners. It is quite possible to proceed from the fact that the burner will be enough for a pot of the same diameter.

The heating power directly depends on the diameter of the burners. And, at the same time, the performance of the device and the speed of cooking. The larger the burner, the more heat dissipation it has. Also, the diameter of the burner allows you to determine what sizes of dishes are suitable for use on the hob. Indeed, for induction models, this value is critical for high-quality heating. Burners can have the following diameter:

• small — about 145 mm, power within 1200 W;
• medium — about 180 mm, power within 1700 W;
• large — about 220 mm and more, power within 2000 watts.

Some hobs use double ring burners that allow you to adjust the diameter of the heating zone. If the diameter of the burner is 180, 200, 220 mm, then it means that the heating zone on a particular burner can be narrowed or expanded, depending on the size of the dishes used.

Typically, the burners on the hob are arranged in the shape of a square or rectangle, but there are also models with diamond layout. This decision is important primarily from the point of view of aesthetics and ergonomics. The diamond layout looks unusual and, for some users, it may be more convenient than a rectangular one. Technically, such hobs are no different from traditional ones.

The control panel is located not on the front but on the side — usually on the right. Side controls not only gives the device an original appearance, but can also be convenient from a practical point of view. In particular, this arrangement makes it possible to reduce the size of the panel in-depth, which can be useful when the depth of the tabletop itself is narrow.

The type of control used in the hob. The options might be:

— Rotary knobs. Control based on classic rotary knobs. Sometimes buttons are also provided in the design but they are only responsible for the additional functions of the device. It is the knobs that control the switching on and power of the burners (and the combination of knobs and youch controls is indicated separately — see below). This type of control is known for its simplicity, convenience, reliability and low cost, which make it extremely popular — it is used in most modern hobs of an independent type (see above).

— Touch controls. touch controls can control almost all functions of the hob, while the set of such functions can be very extensive. Among the advantages of touch sensors, one can note a stylish appearance, ease of cleaning due to the absence of protruding parts, and the touch controls do not need to be pressed — a light touch is enough. The main disadvantage of this type of control is its high cost, but it is mainly used in high-end hobs, where the price of touch controls is almost invisible compared to the cost of the entire device.

— Rotary knobs + touch controls. Combination of rotary knobs (see above) with touch controls. Note that only rotary knobs are enough for basic control of the burners, and buttons can also be used for additional functions — they are cheaper than touch controls. Therefore, t...his type of control usually means that we have a rather expensive model with an abundance of additional functions. Among the advantages of touch controls, one can note a neat and stylish appearance, as well as ease of cleaning — they, unlike buttons, do not have slots and protruding parts where dirt can accumulate. And some models with similar controls have a rather unusual design — for example, only one rotary knob, the purpose of which is changed by commands from the touch controls.

— Touch + magnetic disk. Touch controls (see above), supplemented by a special rotary control — a magnetic disk. This disc is somewhat similar to rotary knobs, but it is called magnetic because of the fastening — with a permanent magnet, which allows you to remove the control. Most often, there is one disc for all burners; less often there are models with their disc for each burner. However, such a regulator has two key differences from rotary knobs. Firstly, the magnetic disk controls not only the power but most of the other functions of the hob. Secondly, the discs look neater and are more comfortable to use: they spin easily, and the detachable design makes them easy to clean and keeps children out of the way. However, it makes sense to use this control method mainly in high-end hobs with an abundance of functions.

— On the oven. As the name implies, such hobs do not have their control — it is carried out from the oven control panel to which the device is connected. This variant, by definition, only occurs in dependent models (see "Type").

— Slider. A kind of touch controls. Often they are elongated in a slender line; less often they are made in the shape of a circle. To adjust the heating intensity of the burners or quickly access other settings of the hob, slide your finger along the corresponding touch scale to the selected value. The convenience of slider control is that you can immediately set the required heating power by clicking on a certain area of the scale.

— Separate. Control using sensors or sliders (see the corresponding paragraphs), which implies the ability to fine-tune the operation of the burners individually - each of them has its own power adjustment scale. Separate control allows you to set the required heating level for a specific zone without having to first select a specific burner by tapping on the panel. It is more intuitive and gives you more flexibility when preparing different dishes overnight.

The number of temperature settings of the burner. The more power levels, the more accurately you can set the required temperature for cooking a particular dish. However, in most cases, nine levels are enough for home use. But, if you are a gourmet and often cook unusual dishes that require strict adherence to the recipe, then you simply need more temperature settings.

— Auto ignition. An ignition system for gas burners built right into the hob. Most often, auto ignition uses an electric spark, and the device needs to be connected to the mains, even if all the burners on the surface are gas. On the other hand, this function greatly simplifies ignition, eliminating the need for matches, lighters and other sources of the open flame. It is worth saying that auto-ignition systems can work in different ways: in some models, the ignition is triggered immediately when the handle that opens the gas is turned; in others, you need to press a separate button for this.

— Gas control. A safety system that automatically cuts off the gas supply if the flame is accidentally doused. It consists of two main elements: thermocouples and gas blocking devices. When the flame goes out, the thermocouple sends a signal to the blocking device, which shuts off the gas supply, preventing it from leaking.

— Temperature probe. A device for measuring the temperature of a dish and determining the degree of its readiness. Such measurements can be carried out both on the surface and in the depth of the product. The core temperature probes usually communicate wirelessly with the hob. Relying on the indicators measured by the temperature probe, the panel automatically regulates the heating or maintains the required water temperature. Also, the temperature pro...be will be useful when cooking dishes using the sous-vide method.

— Auto switch-off. A system that allows you to automatically turn off the heating if necessary. The principle of operation of the auto switch-off can be different: in some models, it works according to a timer set by the user (see below); in others — when the burner reaches a critical temperature or if the heater has been working for a long time without user intervention. However, this function makes the usage of the hob more convenient and even safer. Note that in gas burners, auto switch-off is rarely found for technical reasons.

— Timer. A device that counts a certain time (set by the user) and gives a signal at the end of the countdown. In addition, the timer can also provide an automatic heating shutdown (see above). The types of timers could be different — from the simplest mechanical knobs to electronic units with displays. The first option is cheaper, but the accuracy is low; electronic devices are more expensive but more accurate and convenient. Anyway, the presence of a timer can significantly simplify the life of the user, relieving him of the need to keep track of time on his own.

— Pause mode. The ability to pause all working burners with one click of the button and then resume their work by pressing the same button. In the pause mode, the burners are turned off and heating continues only due to the residual heat. And when the pause is turned off, all previously set work settings are returned — power, timer countdown, etc. This feature can come in handy when you need to leave the kitchen for a while, and you are not sure how long the absence will last. Note that the pause mode usually has a time limit of several minutes, after which the surface is completely turned off.

— Child lock. The ability to lock the control panel of the device so that turning the knobs and pressing the buttons does not affect its mode of operation (often when the lock is turned on, the knobs are generally fixed). This function is useful primarily as protection against children: a curious baby will not be able to turn on the hob or change its mode of operation at its discretion. The blocking is usually removed in such a way that an adult can do it, but not a child — for example, by pressing the buttons in a certain order.

— Residual heat indicator. The indicator that shows the hotplate is still hot. Usually, it reacts to heating from 50 °C and above. The main function of such an indicator is to prevent burns from touching a burner that has not yet cooled down. It can also be used when turning on the burner — to determine whether it has heated up or not. This feature is especially relevant for solid plate burners (see above), although it can also be useful for Hi-Light burners.

— Built-in hood. The presence of its built-in hood in the design of the hob. Usually, the air intake is located at the level of the burners, its size is small, and the performance is low. Accordingly, a built-in hood is unlikely to be the main ventilation system in the kitchen, but at the same time, it can be a good addition to a separately installed hood. The main disadvantages of hobs with this feature are the high cost and complexity of installation.

— Hob to hood. The ability to control the kitchen hood from the hob. To do this, both devices are synchronized via one or another communication channel; the hood turns on when the burner on the hob is turned on and adjusts the power of work depending on how many burners work and at what power. It eliminates the need for the user to manually turn the hood on and off. And working parameters, usually, are selected in such a way that there is enough power even for the most difficult situations. Some models even allow you to adjust the specific performance of the hood in a given situation. However, it is worth noting that different manufacturers of kitchen appliances use different technologies for communication, differing even in the principle of operation: for example, Miele's Con@Сtivity works by radio, and Electrolux's Hob2Hood works via an infrared channel. Therefore, if you plan to use this function, you should pay special attention to the compatibility of the surface and the hood. It is recommended to choose among devices of the same manufacturer.

— Control via Internet. The ability to control the hob via the Internet. The built-in Wi-Fi module is used to connect to the network. And the control method itself may be different: in some models, you need to install a proprietary application on your smartphone or tablet; in others, it is enough to open a special page in any browser. Nevertheless, this function allows you to control the hob and monitor its status anywhere in the world where the Internet connection is available. Thus, you can, for example, leave the kettle on the burner and turn on the heating in advance on the way home so that hot water is ready by the time you return. And having gone on a long trip, you can at any time check whether you forgot to turn off the hob and, if necessary, turn it off. However, such functionality significantly affects the cost.

— Boil detection. A system based on a sensor that monitors the state of the product being cooked (usually by the temperature of the dishes): before the water boils, the burner operates at maximum, and after boiling, the sensor reduces the intensity of work to a certain value. The point of this adjustment is that much less heat is needed to maintain the boil than to heat it up to the boiling point; moreover, if you do not reduce the heat, the liquid can spill. Accordingly, automatic boiling allows not only to save energy but also to avoid such troubles. This function is found in electric models (see Product type).

— Keep warm function. The keep warm function keeps food warm until served. It will come in handy in cases where dinner is already cooked and the guests have not yet arrived. The maximum time for keeping heat usually does not exceed 1-2 hours.

— Melting. Special mode for low-temperature thawing of small portions of frozen food, melting butter or chocolate. The function allows you to carefully melt the necessary ingredients into a mass of a homogeneous structure without fear that they will burn or overheat.

— Auto fry function. The pre-set automatic frying mode, which ensures that the temperature of the bottom of the dishes is maintained at the optimum temperature, preventing it from cooling down or over...heating. An auto fry programme usually provides several cooking modes for different tasks.

— Additional. Several specific auto-programmes used in individual hobs and not covered by the list above.

The input power of the hob is the maximum electric power consumed during its operation. This parameter is indicated only for models that are equipped with at least one electric hotplate. It is electric burners that are the highest consumption in terms of energy consumption. Additional functions such as auto-ignition require little energy, and a regular outlet is enough for them.

First of all, the requirements for the power mains depend on this parameter: it must be able to provide such power without overloads. It is worth noting that for household sockets the power limit is about 3 – 3.5 kW, with more power, you need to connect the hob to 230 V mains according to special rules. An alternative is to use a three-phase 400 V mains: most modern hobs with electric burners allow connection to both 230 V and 400 V mains.

A safety feature that prevents possible problems with old wiring that is not designed for the power consumption of the hob. The power limit protects the electrical network from a short circuit or burnout of the wiring, and the function will also be useful when working simultaneously with the other household appliances.

The presence of a display in the design of the hob. The display is capable of displaying much more additional information than individual indicators like bulbs or scales; this makes control more convenient and intuitive. On the other hand, it makes sense to install the display only when functions are abundant. Otherwise, it may be unnecessary. Therefore, this function is typical mainly for high-end models of the induction type (see "Number of induction burners").

The presence of a metal frame in the design of the hob. Such a frame can be located both around the entire perimeter of the device (in most classic models) and only on one side (usually in domino hobs, see "Design" for more details). The frame plays an aesthetic role, allowing you to optimally fit the hob into the overall design of the kitchen. However, it can also perform a very practical function: to retain liquids spilt onto the surface. On the other hand, such protection also has disadvantages: it can be quite difficult to clean dirt near the frame, and the liquid retained on the hob can burn, making cleaning even more difficult. So in terms of cleaning, models without a frame are more convenient.

The material from which the grates on the gas burners of the hob are made. Electric hotplates do not require grates.

— Steel. Steel grates have a relatively low weight, good strength and at the same time — low cost. For aesthetic reasons and for additional protection they are usually covered with a special heat-resistant enamel. Contaminants are quite easily cleaned from such enamel, but it is undesirable to process it with rough methods — otherwise, chips and scratches may appear on the surface. In general, despite their general practicality, steel grates are considered less advanced than cast iron grates and are somewhat less commonly used in hobs. However, if you do not load the hob with large pots, buckets, etc., the difference is not critical, and the service life of steel grates is often comparable to the “life span” of the hob itself.

— Cast iron. Cast iron grates look more nice and massive than steel ones, and they weigh much more. It can be attributed to the advantages — in the case when the grilles can be removed: a large weight contributes to stability. In addition, such structures are strong, durable and tolerate even high loads. They cost a little more than steel ones. As a result, cast iron is a more popular material for grates than steel. It is worth noting some difficulty in cleaning from pollution; on the other hand, cast iron grates usually do not have additional coating...s, and you can not be afraid to spoil them with wire sponges or abrasive products.

A feature found exclusively in gas burners (electric burners are not capable of providing the intense heat required for cooking in a frying pan such as wok). The wok stand

Dimensions (WxD)

Cut-out dimensions (WxD)

Country of origin