Vitroceramic cookers have been leading the market for kitchen appliances for quite some time. The range of advanced manufacturers includes various models of such devices, which differ in size, shape, color, the presence of certain functions.
Glass-ceramic stove is a convenient, comfortable, economical and modern household appliances that fits perfectly into the interior of the kitchen and gives it a refined appearance. When choosing a glass-ceramic plate, the pros and cons, additional features and features of surface care are taken into account.
Device features
A classic electric hob has a simple and boring design. At the same time, glass-ceramic models not only qualitatively fulfill their main purpose, but also give the kitchen a stylish and modern look. The cooking surface is completely smooth, and heating elements are integrated inside the cooking zones. The device can have touch control, and also has many modern functions and sensors that simplify and speed up cooking.
The stove may have such sensors and systems:
- Temperature indicator. Shows the temperature of the cooking zone, which makes it possible to maintain the optimal cooking mode in automatic mode.
- Residual temperature sensor. To protect against burns, as well as save energy, a special sensor is used that is installed on each burner and signals the presence of residual temperature after it is turned off.
- Child protection. An indispensable function that locks the handles and prevents the inclusion of a stove that protects children and the house from fire.
- Infrared sensor. Its presence allows to reduce boiling if necessary.
- The system of rapid boiling. It activates cooking zones with extra power, which reduces cooking time.
Innovative sensors and systems guarantee a high rate of profitability, comfort and ease of use, making such stoves a leader among kitchen appliances.
Glass-ceramic plate: pros and cons and features of the device
Before choosing the optimal stove, you should consider all the advantages of modern models. The most high-quality and convenient to use are glass-ceramic hobs. Such products have a number of advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before purchase.
Main advantages
Glass-ceramic hobs are modern and stylish products that will become a real decoration of any kitchen. In addition, they have several other advantages:
- Fast cooking. In such stoves, the heating elements cool and heat up much faster than in conventional models. In addition, glass ceramics conduct heat vertically, so the bottom of the pan or pan is heated first. Therefore, a liter of water on it can boil in just 1-2 minutes. This makes the cooking process incredibly fast and also significantly saves energy.
- Fast heating and cooling.The installation of a glass-ceramic plate allows you to easily adjust the degree of heating, guarantees a rapid decrease and increase in temperature, as well as its cooling after cooking. Previously, only gas stoves had this advantage.
- Ease of care. The glass-ceramic plate has a perfectly flat and smooth surface, so it is extremely convenient and easy to wash. To do this, you can use any non-abrasive detergents, soft rags and sponges.
- The ability to adjust the heating zone. The unique property of the stove allows you to change the zone of the heated area, which allows you to make the cooking process the most convenient and efficient. Therefore, it is possible to use dishes not only of different diameters, but also with a bottom of a non-standard shape, for example, gooseberries.
- Stylish and sophisticated appearance. Glass-ceramic hobs are chosen by those for whom not only functionality is important, but also the appearance of the kitchen. This technique gives the kitchen a modern, functional and unusual appearance, and also fits perfectly into the interior of any style.
- Ease of management. Most models use a touch panel for control, which makes the use of the stove as convenient and comfortable as possible. It takes only a few touches to turn on the burners and set the desired operating mode.
- Burners do not require replacement. When installing such a hob, the replacement of the burners is not required throughout the entire time of its operation. This allows you to save on components, which makes the operation of the device profitable.
Thus, the installation of a glass-ceramic plate has significant advantages over other models and guarantees convenience, comfort and a high rate of energy efficiency.
disadvantages
Despite the obvious advantages of using a glass-ceramic plate, its use has several disadvantages. These include:
- Strict requirements for utensils. When using glass-ceramic models of cooking surfaces, only cookware with a flat and flat bottom can be used. However, its outer surface should not have embossed images.
- Requirements for detergents. To care for the ceramic stove, special detergents should be purchased. It is forbidden to use abrasive compounds that can scratch the surface, because of which its external and operational qualities will suffer.
- Surface sensitivity. When using such hobs, you should be careful. Aluminum, plastic and even regular sugar can damage the surface. Despite the fact that glass ceramics can withstand a very large weight, it does not tolerate point impact with a sharp or heavy object.
- High price. Even the simplest models of glass-ceramic plates will cost more than ordinary plates.
- Chance of water damage to the device. If you can put dishes of various temperatures and even with wet walls on a gas or ordinary electric stove, then you should be careful when working with glass-ceramic models. Even water entering a hot surface can cause it to break.
Therefore, a glass-ceramic surface is the most convenient and stylish type of modern stoves, however, it requires the observance of operating conditions to maintain a presentable appearance and performance.
Additional features
Glass-ceramic stove - the perfect solution for a modern kitchen. It has a number of innovative features and additional features. These include:
- Oven. It is an additional, but optional element of any plate. In glass-ceramic models, most often, and the oven has much more functions and capabilities than in electric and gas models.
- Booster function.Useful feature that most hob models are equipped with. It consists in increasing the power of one burner by reducing the power of the others. Additionally, a boiling water timer is set. Therefore, when the liquid boils, the hotplate automatically switches to standard operation.
- Oven with a protective coating. A special coating that simplifies the process of washing and removing fat.
- Reinforced door sealing. This design feature guarantees low heat loss, as well as protection against door heating from the outside.
- Uniform heating of air in the oven. In modern models, there are several heating elements that guarantee an even distribution of heat over the entire height and width of the structure, which avoids burning.
Using modern kitchen appliances guarantees maximum pleasure from the process of preparing even the most complicated dishes.
Cookware Requirements
In order for the glass-ceramic stove to serve as long as possible and work efficiently, special attention should be paid to the choice of dishes for such a cooking surface. Only utensils with a perfectly flat and flat bottom should be preferred. This ensures maximum heat transfer, which ensures quick cooking and saves energy.
A great option would be products with a thick bottom. This will minimize the risk of deformation of the bottom of the dishes due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. The best solution is dark dishes with a matte bottom. It has a high thermal conductivity, so cooking is faster.
Do not cook in dishes that have an embossed pattern or a rough bottom. If the burners of a glass-ceramic plate are induction, then it is not recommended to use products from ceramics, glass, copper and brass. Special glass-ceramic cookware has several layers of different metals.
Proper stove care
It is extremely important not only to choose a quality stove, but also to look after it correctly. In this case, it will work for a long time and maintain a neat appearance. So that there are no blue spots on it, do not use a dishwashing detergent.
To remove greasy stains, traces of water and lime, it is better to purchase special products for glass ceramics. To combat old stains, you can use detergents for steel products. However, you should first make sure that the products do not contain abrasive components.
Useful tips for the care of ceramic glass plates:
- it is recommended to regularly wipe the plate so that the surface is always clean, this will avoid stubborn stains;
- hard sponges should not be used to clean the surface;
- for cleaning, do not use universal detergents, detergents for the oven and dishes, as well as other detergents that are not suitable for glass-ceramic plates;
- if food has got on a hot plate, it must be removed immediately, after which the remains can be removed with a scraper;
- in order for the surface to retain its luster and initial appearance for a long time, it is recommended to use dishes whose diameter corresponds to the size of the burner;
- hot kitchen appliances should stand on the burners as evenly as possible.
If you strictly follow the care tips, the surface will retain its luster and beauty for a long time. At the same time, it is recommended to remove contaminants immediately, so that later you do not have to use stronger means.
What is a glass-ceramic combination plate and is it worth buying
Combined stoves have a hob and an oven of various types.Most often, the hob is gas and the oven is electric. The hob can be made of various materials. The material for the electric stove can be made of stainless steel or glass ceramics. Widely represented are models based on combined materials. Depending on the type of hob, such a stove may be gas or electric.
When choosing different types of combined cooktops, it is necessary to take into account not only its appearance, but also the types of burners, functionality. Some types of combination cookers have a special compartment for a gas cylinder. Such models are recommended if there is no centralized gas supply.
Separately, cancel combined cooktops that combine gas burners and electric burners. Such models are the best solution in the event of interruptions in gas or electricity, however, they are more difficult to repair and cost more than simple models.
Unusual design decisions
Initially, the glass-ceramic stove was only a built-in hob, which was used to equip small kitchens, as well as to give the room a stylish and sophisticated appearance.
Nowadays, in the market of kitchen appliances you can find high-tech, stylish and sophisticated models that fit perfectly into the interior of any style. Models with a built-in grill or oven are widely represented on the market, as well as baby ovens with a glass-ceramic surface that are convenient for daily use.
There are also models not only in a modern style, but also unusual wood-stone or stone solutions for finishing a kitchen in a classic or antique style. A wide range will allow you to enter the technique into the kitchen of any style.
Types of heating elements
The stove has certain heating zones, so the rest of the surface remains cold. The design can be equipped with various types of heaters, each of which has a different principle of operation. Types of heating elements:
- Spiral. A spiral is used, which takes 15 seconds to heat up.
- Tape. The tape is applied, and its heating takes only 8 seconds.
- Halogen. A pipe that is filled with gas, and as a result of heating, gives out thermal cure. Heating takes only 3 seconds.
- Induction. Heat is generated by a powerful alternating magnetic field.
Glass-ceramic stove is a modern, lightweight and easy-to-use kitchen appliance, which has an elegant and stylish appearance. It has a perfect flat surface, so it is easy to clean daily. In addition, the design is characterized by high thermal conductivity.