How to choose an electric hob - what should you pay attention to when buying?

In our time, built-in home appliances is becoming more popular. And all thanks to the fact that it is not very difficult to choose, it takes a little space, but looks stylish. Many housewives are interested in how to choose an electric hob, and which ones are better? We will talk about this now.

Types of electric hobs

In order to learn how to choose the right electric hob, you need to consider the different types of these surfaces. A flat panel with heating elements fits perfectly into the design of the kitchen . Built into a single tabletop, it does not break the continuity of the latter, and it's beautiful and hygienic. After all, if you choose a floor slab, it will not be possible to move it to the closets closely and dust, dirt and grease will necessarily fall between the furniture in the gap.

By the type of installation of the electric stove, you can choose independent and built-in. Depending on the installed heating element, you can choose different types of electric hobs with such burners:

As practice shows, it is possible to choose an electric hob with various additional functions:

Independent electric hobs

In the view of many, the hob is associated with the stove under which the oven is located. However, today you can choose a desktop electric hob that is located independently, that is, separately, from the oven. This design has its own control panel, so it can be installed anywhere in the kitchen. Many use the space under such a surface to store the necessary household items. If you choose such appliances, then the kitchen space will be used more optimally.

Built-in electric hobs

If you are wondering which one to choose an electric hob, you can purchase a dependent built-in technique. Such surfaces are combined with an oven, and the general control is on the front panel of the structure. It looks like an ordinary stove, but only built into the countertop. She is accustomed to many housewives, so she is often eager to choose when buying kitchen appliances. However, both the oven and the electric panel should be selected from the same manufacturer, and there will be no problems with their compatibility.

Choosing an electric hob

To choose a reliable electric hob, you need to pay attention to the material from which the base plate is made. On sale there are surfaces made from different materials, each of which has its own peculiarities:

Before choosing an electric hob, you should decide which of the four types of controllers you want to use:

  1. Handles that rise above the stove, but care for them must be regular and thorough.
  2. Heated rotary - the most common and reliable option, the plate turns on when you turn the regulator.
  3. Touch control - these icons are very sensitive and turn on when touched. They are informative and have ample opportunities.
  4. Remote remote control - used in the most expensive models.

Ceramic electric hob

The main advantage of such a surface is its low thermal inertness. For example, compared to cast-iron burners, the electric ceramic glass hob will heat up faster and better. Due to this, such a plate consumes a minimum of electricity. For a ceramic panel, it is advisable to choose a dish with a flat bottom, then the heating process will not slow down due to unevenness in the frying pan or saucepan. You can choose a panel of glass ceramics with directional heat spread.

Electric hob - stainless steel

One of the most practical materials for the hob is stainless steel. The base of the stainless steel plate is unpretentious in care and attractive in appearance. In addition, it can perfectly fit in with any designer kitchen solutions. But if you choose a cheap model of the hob for an electric cooker made of this metal, then you risk acquiring a poor-quality product, on the surface of which fingerprints will be constantly visible, and removing them will be difficult. Therefore, before buying, check if there are any marks on the stainless surface of the panel.

Cast-iron electric hobs

The classic budget version of the cooker is a hob with cast iron rings or "pancakes", as they are called. Inside, spirals are built in. The base of such a plate is often made of stainless steel or enameled steel. Since the iron remains hot for a long time and cools, these burners have a power from 1 to 2 kW / h. Care for them is not easy, besides they are afraid of moisture. Such types of electric hobs are of low cost, so many housewives try to choose them.

Cooking electric panel - dimensions

Depending on the size of your countertop, you need to choose the hob. The minimum width of the plate, which can be found on the market, is 28.8 cm. But the thickness can vary from 16 to 100 mm. In a small kitchen, there will ideally fit a two-burner domino surface 30 cm wide. For a medium-sized kitchen, a three-burner cooking panel with a width of 45 to 50 cm is ideal. In a spacious kitchen you can choose a four-plate cooker up to 60 cm wide.

Round electric hob

Among all types of cooking hobs, a special place is occupied by round-shaped furnaces. If you choose such a design with an interesting design decision, then it will become an ornament of any kitchen. Often, the round plate has three compact burners, while the dishes standing right on all three do not interfere with each other. You can choose a small round panel with one heating element. If you want to use a large dish, then turn both circuits of the heating element on at once, and for a small saucepan you can use only the inner contour.

Cooking electric panel - power

One of the main indicators of the work of kitchen electrical equipment is power, because it determines the speed of cooking dishes on the stove. Each hostess wants to choose a technique that will quickly warm up and cool down, but often there is an increased consumption of electricity. Let's find out how much energy is consumed by the cooking hob.

The modern plate can have a power of 3-10 kW, which depends on the number of hotplates on the panel. The standard model has one, the most powerful burner, which consumes about 3 kW, the other two - about 1.5 kW, and the smallest - on average 1 kW. You can choose a six-plate with different heating elements in form, the power of which can be adjusted.

There are models with dual burners, which allows to increase the heating zone. This is especially useful when using dishes with an elongated shape. If you want to correctly choose an electric stove, then note that for a house with an old wiring its power should not exceed 3.5 kW. For novostoroy, where there is no gas pipeline, you can choose a surface and a more powerful (7-10 kW).

Cooking electric panel - rating of the best

Before choosing an electric stove, it is necessary to study the rating of electric hobs:

  1. ASKO HC1643G , manufacturer Sweden. A popular four-burner model Hi Light with a glass-ceramic base, due to which a high heating rate is achieved. Has a function of a momentary pause, protective shutdown, the ability to lock.
  2. MAUNFELD MVCE 59.4HL.1SM1DZT BK , manufacturer United Kingdom. Has the best value for money. Has an additional oval heating zone.
  3. KUPPERSBERG FT6VS16 , manufacturer Germany. German quality and stylish design. Each of the four burners has an individual timer. It features high heating rate, has touch control, panel lock, child protection, diameter expansion zone.

How do I install an electric hob?

Well, how to choose an electric hob, you already know. But after buying a new plate in front of the owner the question arises: how to connect an electric hob. You can invite professionals who will help in this matter. However, many people decide to do this work themselves. For this you need:

  1. Install a grounded outlet, select the adapter and cable, carefully read the manufacturer's instructions.
  2. Cut in the top of the place under the hob with a jigsaw, treat the slices with silicone.
  3. Turn the panel over, remove the connector cover, peel the ends of the cable and connect the wires in accordance with the attached diagram. Attach the lid to the seat.
  4. Place the panel in place in the worktop and check that it is correctly connected.

The disadvantages of electric hobs

We have already studied the question of how to choose an electric hob, and now we learn about the disadvantages of this household appliance. Its main disadvantage is slow heating and cooling. Surfaces from glass ceramics are very convenient, however, if such a panel gets and solidifies sugar, then it will be difficult to remove. If you choose a sensor model, then because of power surges in the network, thin electronics in it can fail. If several pots do not fit on a narrow electric hob, then before deciding on the surface, determine the size of the cooker you need.