Tool Reviews

A separate cooking surface is a great alternative to traditional bulky stoves. The right choice will save the budget and space in the kitchen, and will also allow you to fit the hob into the design of the room.

How to choose a hob

When choosing a hob, pay attention to the criteria by which the device you need is determined.

• Cooktop size. This parameter is determined by the dimensions of the kitchen countertop. They produce both square cooking surfaces measuring 60/80/90 cm on the side, and elongated rectangular ones with the burners arranged in one row. Domino models are constructed from several separate modules.
• Type of hob. Induction, gas, electric, glass-ceramic or a combination? Gas is cheaper than electricity, but not all premises are equipped with gas supply. Induction hobs use electricity like conventional electric hobs, but the savings come from accelerated heating. Traditional electric stoves are the easiest to operate and the easiest to clean.

• Burner power. Many hobs come with burners that are specifically designed for specific tasks. For example, a low heat zone is provided for prolonged simmering of dishes, or full power is transferred to one of the heating zones to quickly boil water.
• Number and size of burners. Cooking surfaces are produced with the number of heating zones from one to six. Your pots and pans should have a bottom diameter that matches the size of the burner. In some models, two or three burners are combined into one heating zone, suitable for large or non-standard pans.
• Location of heating zones. Make sure there is enough space between the burners to use pots on all cooking zones at the same time. If you often use small burners, they should be located in front.
• Easy cleaning. The glass-ceramic surface will require the use of special cleaners to prevent scratches and streaks. For gas hob, see if the burners are sealed and if the grates can be washed in the dishwasher. The easiest way to clean the traditional electric “pancakes” located on the enameled surface.
• Easy management. Cooking surfaces are equipped with mechanical or touch control, combined models combine both options.

• Security. Switches located on the lateral vertical plane of the panel are easier to touch and turn on accidentally than those located on the horizontal plane next to the heating zones. On the other hand, with this arrangement, the control knobs can become hot. Some models are equipped with a child lock and automatic shutdown.
• Dishes. Induction hobs will require the use of special magnetized cooking utensils. Aluminium, glassware and regular stainless steel pans will not work. But other types of cooking surfaces are not picky about dishes.

Some functions can be ignored when buying a hob, as they do not affect the operation of the device.

• surface material. Enamelled panels and stainless steel surfaces are resistant to wear and aggressive cleaning agents. Glass-ceramic surfaces conduct heat more slowly than metal ones, but they fit more interestingly into the design of the kitchen.
• Piezo ignition. Automatic electric ignition on gas hobs eliminates the use of matches, but for some models it does not work reliably.
• Timer. The built-in timer is often equipped with induction and glass-ceramic panels. It facilitates the use of the device and sets the time for automatic switching off of the heating zones.

The best gas hob

Hotpoint-Ariston 7HPC 640 T X/HA – the panel contains 4 burners of different power and diameter. The triple crown burner is equipped with a double flame splitter for the fastest heating of dishes, the burner of the largest diameter provides express heating.

The surface is made of brushed stainless steel, the grids are made of enamelled steel. The panel is controlled by rotary switches in two modes: with minimum and maximum power. There is an auto-ignition function and gas control.

Characteristics

• Mechanical control.
• Panel size: 51 x 59 cm.
• Niche size: 5.5 x 47.5 x 55.5 cm.
• Burner diameter: 55, 75, 100, 130 mm.
• Maximum burner power: 1/1.65/3/3.3 kW.
• Natural gas consumption: 95/157/286/343 l/h.
• Liquefied gas consumption: 73/120/218/240 g/h.

pros

• Automatic electric ignition.
• Triple crown burner.
• Easy care.

Minuses

• The non-standard arrangement of burners will not be comfortable for everyone.
• Only 2 flame control modes for each burner.

Customer Reviews

This unusual design panel represents good value for money. The grate is made of thick steel, easy to clean, but do not use aggressive cleaning products.

Auto-ignition works stably, matches are not required for ignition. The flame is silent and uniform. There are complaints that it is inconvenient to use all heating zones at once at the same time – there is not enough space for large pots.

The best electric hob

Hansa BHEI 60130010 – electric panel of a classical look from stainless steel. Contains 2 pairs of cast-iron “pancakes”, differing in diameter and power. The residual heat sensor will not allow you to burn yourself with a hot electric hotplate.

Provides protection against overheating and long-term maintenance of heat. The control is carried out by rotary switches, which provide 6 modes of temperature control.

Characteristics

• mechanical control.
• Panel size: 53 x 60 x 4.5 cm.
• Niche dimensions: 49 x 56 cm.
• Electric hotplates size: 2 x 18 cm, 2 x 14.5 cm.
• Electric burner power: 2 x 1.8 kW, 2 x 1.2 kW.
• Total power: 6 kW.
• Weight: 11 kg.

pros

• Affordable price.
• Easy care and use.

Minuses

• The wire is not supplied with a plug.
• heating inertia.

Customer Reviews

Cooking electric panel of solid assembly. This is a budget option with easy control. The surface is easy to clean. An interesting non-standard design of the location of the electric burners is noted.

The best induction hob

Miele KM 6629 – the panel includes 4 heating zones. The glass-ceramic surface is framed by a stainless steel frame. Communication with the hood and automatic adjustment of the hood operation depending on the operating mode of the device are provided.

The hob is equipped with temperature control, automatic recognition of the diameter of the pan and the presence of dishes on the surface. Built-in cooking pause function and boil control, which automatically reduces the power after boiling the contents of the pan.

The timer switches off the heating zone in case of prolonged non-use of the control panel. There is a child lock, automatic protection of the device from overheating.

Characteristics

• Touch control.
• Burners size: 2 double-circuit with diameters of 10/16 cm and 16/23 cm, 2 rectangular sizes of 15 x 23 cm, forming a composite zone of 23 x 39 cm.
• Burner power: 1.4 kW, 2.3/3.7 kW, 2 x 2.1/3.65 kW or 3.4/7.3 kW for split zone.
• Panel size: 4.8 x 50.4 x 76.4 cm.
• Niche size: 49 x 75 cm.
• Gross power: 7.3 kW.
• Weight: 12 kg.

pros

• Rapid heating.
• High power.
• Panel off timer.
• Irregularly shaped heating zone for large dishes.
• Individual control for each burner.

Minuses

• You will need to purchase special utensils for cooking.
• High price.

Customer Reviews

The panel has a convenient pause function, in which you can be distracted from cooking by a phone call. The smart boil control system prevents the contents of the pot from escaping and boiling over.

Keep warm can be used for reheating without fear of burning. Several small pots are placed on the combined heating zone.

The best glass-ceramic hob

Siemens ET675MD11D – the panel contains 4 burners, one of them has an expanding elongated heating zone. The three-circuit burner allows you to cook in dishes of different diameters.

The timer sets the device to automatically turn off or gives a signal to end cooking. A blocking of the panel for half a minute is provided to wipe the dirt from the surface. Built-in child safety lock, pot boil control and residual heat indicators.

Characteristics

• Touch control.
• Panel dimensions: 4.5 x 60.2 x 52 cm.
• Niche dimensions: 56 x 50 cm.
• Burner diameter: 17/26.5 cm, 2 x 14.5 cm, 12/17.5/21 cm.
• Burner power: 1.8/2.6 kW, 2 x 1.2 kW, 0.8/1.6/2.3 kW.
• Gross power: 7.3 kW.
• Weight: 8 kg.

pros

• Irregularly shaped heating zone for large dishes.
• Convenient temperature setting.
• Panel off timer.

Minuses

• Care must be taken in the choice of cleaning agent.
• High price.

Customer Reviews

The practical and functional model is convenient in use, provides uniform heating. It is noted that there is no automatic detection of the diameter of the pan. The panel is scratched by inaccurate use, fingerprints are visible on the surface.

The best induction ceramic hob

Bosch PIC651B17E – the hob is made of glass-ceramic and contains 2 induction and 2 glass-ceramic burners. One of the zones has an oval extension for cooking in an elongated dish (caterpillar).

The accelerated heating and recognition of the ware located on a surface is provided. 17 power modes are available for temperature control. The model is equipped with residual heating sensors, child lock.

The built-in timer gives an audible alert after a predetermined time to control cooking or automatically turns off the device during prolonged inactive use.

Characteristics

• Touch control.
• Panel size: 52.2 x 59.2 x 5.1 cm.
• Niche dimensions: 49 x 56 cm.
• Burner sizes: 21 cm, 2 x 14.5 cm, 17 cm with extension up to 26.5 cm.
• Burner power: 2.2 kW, 1.2 kW, 1.4 kW, 1.6/2.4 kW.
• Gross power: 7.2 kW.

pros

• Rapid heating.
• Irregular shape burner for large capacity.
• Device off timer.

Minuses

• Care must be taken in the choice of cleaning agent.
• For induction burners, you will need to purchase special utensils for cooking.
• High price.

Customer Reviews

The combination of induction heating zones with glass ceramic allows you to use different dishes, including ordinary ones. It is noted that ceramic burners heat up longer than induction ones. There is a slight noise from the inductive coils when the hob is operating.

The best combined induction and gas hob

Electrolux EGD 6576 NOK – the hob contains 4 burners, of which 2 are induction and 2 are gas. The induction zones are controlled by a touch panel, the gas burners are controlled mechanically by rotary switches. Child protection and control lock from accidental interference are provided.

The induction zones are equipped with a residual heat indicator, a timer with an audible signal and automatic shutdown when there is no cookware. Gas burners are equipped with electric ignition and gas supply control, crockery crosses are made of cast iron.

Characteristics

• Touch and mechanical control.
• Diameter of induction zones: 14 and 21 cm.
• Power of induction zones: 1.4/2.5 kW and 2.3/3.3 kW.
• Diameter of gas burners: 7 and 10 cm.
• Power of gas burners: 1.9 kW and 2.7 kW.
• Panel size: 5 x 52 x 59 cm.
• Niche size: 49 x 56 cm.
• Total electrical connection power: 3.7 kW.
• Total gas connection power: 4.6 kW.

pros

• Fast heating.
• Powered by two different sources.
• Automatic electric ignition for gas burners.

Minuses

• Care must be taken in the choice of cleaning agent.
• For induction burners, you will need to purchase special utensils for cooking.

Customer Reviews

The combination of two types of heaters allows you to cook food in case of emergency shutdown of one of the sources. You can use ordinary dishes on gas burners.

There is heating of the control knobs with gas due to their proximity to the flame. With careless use, stains, scratches and fingerprints remain on the surface.

The best combined electric gas hob

ILVE H392CV – the enameled surface contains 6 burners, 2 of which are electric “pancakes”, 3 conventional gas burners and 1 “Triple Crown” gas burner, equipped with a double flame diffuser for the fastest heating.

Gas burners are equipped with cast iron grates. The control panel is located on the side. Automatic electric ignition and control of gas supply is provided.

Characteristics

• mechanical control.
• Panel dimensions: 86 x 50 x 4.5 cm.
• Niche dimensions: 83.5 x 47.5 cm.
• Diameter of electric hotplates: 13 cm and 15 cm.
• Electric burner power: 0.6 kW and 1 kW.
• Gas burners diameter: 2 x 5.5 cm, 7 cm, 12 cm.

pros

• Powered by two different sources.
• Automatic electric ignition for gas burners.
• Triple crown burner.
• Easy care.

Minuses

• The wire is not supplied with a plug.
• Large dimensions.
• High price.

Customer Reviews

Universal hob, suitable for use in case of emergency shutdown of gas or electricity. This is a large model, suitable for a spacious kitchen and a large family. The panel is easy to operate and easy to clean.

Which cooking surface is better to buy

When buying a cooktop, first of all, determine what type of energy source is provided in your kitchen: gas or electricity. If your home has a gas supply, consider purchasing a gas hob such as the Hotpoint-Ariston 7HPC 640 T X/HA.

Gas is cheaper as a source of energy, it is regulated instantly, unlike an inert electric burner, which takes time to change the temperature. However, open flames pose a certain danger and require constant supervision.

Electric burners are usually equipped with a large number of heating levels and differ in the type of heating element. Induction hobs, such as the Miele KM 6629, are closest to gas hobs in terms of the rate of change in burner temperature.

They almost do not heat up, thereby preventing the likelihood of a burn. However, to use this type of hobs, you will need to purchase special cookware with a magnetic bottom.

Glass-ceramic panels, like the Siemens ET675MD11D model, do not require replacement of dishes, but they need careful maintenance and the use of non-aggressive cleaning agents. With careless use, scratches and traces of streaks will quickly appear on such surfaces.

If you want all the benefits of induction and glass-ceramic hobs, consider the Bosch PIC651B17E, which combines an induction cooking zone with glass-ceramic hobs at the same time.

The most unpretentious, but the most inert in terms of heating and cooling speed, are electric stoves with traditional metal “pancakes”. They are easy to use and easy to clean. Budget models include Hansa BHEI 60130010.

If you’re experiencing gas or power outages in your home, consider buying a combo hob that uses some gas and some electric burners.

In this segment, combinations of induction heating zones with gas burners are available, for example, in the Electrolux EGD 6576 NOK model, or metal “pancakes” are combined with gas burners, as in the ILVE H392CV.

Advertising from sponsors: //
// //