Glass ceramics as an innovative material for the hob

Gas stoves with glass-ceramic surfaces are rapidly approaching the top of the ratings of kitchen cooking appliances. Such panels are ergonomic, they give the appearance of the kitchen a special sophistication.

New technological processes make it possible to obtain high-class glass ceramics; its use is not limited to the surface of the stove. This material is often used to decorate counters, tabletops, and bar counter interiors. If the surface resembles glass in appearance, then in terms of mechanical qualities it is not much inferior to metal products.

Features of glass-ceramic plates

Many consumers are in awe of gas stoves with glass-ceramic surfaces; their operating principle seems like magic.

In fact, the basis of operation is the same: the heating element serves to transfer thermal energy. The impact of thermal radiation occurs purposefully in a given direction.

In addition to the burner area, it is safe to touch any place on the stove when it is turned on. The area under the burners cools down quickly.

List of characteristic features of ceramic slabs:

1. This innovative stove gives off heat predominantly in the vertical direction. This increases the efficiency of the device.
2. The inertia of glass ceramics is small, so the device cools down quickly. After turning off the burner, you can almost immediately touch the heating zone. This effect does not exist in devices of other designs.
3. An undoubted advantage is the adjustable heating zone. This effect is possible thanks to a perfectly flat cooking surface. The burner is capable of heating dishes of different diameters; in this case, electricity is consumed in the most economical mode.
4. The shape of the burner itself may change. This makes it easier to cook food in an oval bowl; it can be moved from place to place on the surface of the stove.
5. The appearance of glass ceramics adds nobility and modernity to the kitchen. The matte surface harmonizes well with most design solutions.
6. Attractive automatic boiling function. At the beginning of cooking, a small heating power is selected and the automatic mode is activated. Further, the working process proceeds at maximum heat transfer. After complete warming up, the system returns the power level to its original value. This option can be automatic, but manual programming is also possible.

All these features radically distinguish glass-ceramic hobs for the better when compared with gas analogues.

Features of glass-ceramic panels

The design of the innovative cooking device is based on the principle of using a reliable heat insulator, which is an asbestos base on which a tubular electric heater is laid in a spiral shape. The top surface of the plate is made of a new generation material – glass ceramics.

Manufacturers in their instructions must indicate the weight that the panel can withstand. On average, the optimal load is about 5 kg, distributed over one burner. Based on this indicator, you can easily calculate the total value for the entire surface of the slab. Shock-sensitive glass ceramics can withstand if a 1.8 kg pan is dropped on it from a height of 15 cm. Some brands have a higher safety margin.

The heating temperature is displayed on the panel plane if a touch control type is provided. There is an “express burner” or fast heating function.

Of practical value is the “automatic boiling” function, the role of which is to reduce heat after the dish being prepared has reached the boiling point.

Ensures safety with an emergency shutdown, allowing you to turn off the stove. An almost identical role is played by the timer, which stops the operation of the burner after the set time has expired. Siemens and Bosch models are equipped with a “memory recording” block for recording and quickly reproducing frequently repeated actions.

Greater freedom in determining location is provided by independent glass-ceramic hobs, which can be installed on a desktop or arranged as a central island. In this case, the local oven will be located where it will be convenient for the housewife to work with it. Some companies - Ariston, Miele, Electrolux, provide different configurations of heating zones, which allows you to use different cookware. For example, the optimal shape for a ceramic duckling would be an oval.

Modifications with automatic focus produce heating exactly along the contour of the pan standing on the burner, significantly saving energy. The cookware has markings that you should pay attention to and use those samples that are recommended for glass-ceramic surfaces. Consumers who consider the price of glass-ceramic panels to be high are attracted by the affordable cost of similar products made from tempered glass that has undergone special treatment.

Advantages and disadvantages

Let’s try to objectively evaluate the positives and negatives when using such equipment.

pros

In terms of performance, the glass-ceramic hob occupies a leading position. Its advantages include:

• Instant heating option available. It takes a few seconds to warm up the panel itself, and the same amount to heat the dishes;
• Low energy consumption makes such a stove an effective tool in the fight to save the family budget. During its operation there are no irrational losses, while an electric stove requires about 10 minutes to warm up;
• high mechanical strength of the panel. Employees of the Polish company Hansa demonstrated tests in which a two-kilogram pan fell onto the surface of the stove. Glass ceramics passed the tests with honor;
• the surface is resistant to elevated temperatures;
• advanced functionality. If in standard gas appliances basic cooking comes to the fore, then glass ceramics makes this process also comfortable. To do this, use a timer, a shut-off function when boiling, and the ability to auto-cook. The housewife's work is made easier and requires only partial participation in the process;
• the burners do not deteriorate, and there are simply no grates. When using a gas stove, these two positions must be replaced from time to time;
• the flat and even surface of the stove does not create difficulties when washing;
• stove design in modern style, perfect coating, reflecting the sun's rays - what better way to decorate the kitchen interior. Although most panels are produced in black, you can also find a white surface with dark burner circles;
• A big plus for these stoves is the ability to use any cookware, unlike induction devices that require special equipment. The main thing is that the bottom of the dish is level;
• You cannot ignore the increased security measures. Thanks to the use of polarized thermal conductivity, you can safely place your hand at a distance of 2 centimeters from the heating sphere. Child lock prevents the younger generation from accessing the device.

Minuses

In addition to obvious advantages, glass-ceramic stoves are characterized by disadvantages, which include:

• special conditions of care. The surface must be cleaned using a special tool. For cleaning, special household chemicals are used, the cost of which is quite high;
• glass ceramics do not tolerate the effects of sugar in any form - both pure and in the form of syrup, jam, etc. If the sugar composition burns on the stove, it is almost impossible to clean such a stain;
• Temperature changes are contraindicated for the panel material. When operating the stove in heating mode, it is advisable to exclude the possibility of cold liquid getting onto the surface. The device will withstand repetitions of several similar situations, but if this happens regularly, the panel will fail;
• A perfectly flat surface, in addition to a number of advantages, has one significant drawback. If the broth escapes during cooking, it will end up on the floor. Grease stains will remain not only on the work surface, but also on the covering around the floor;
• The glass-ceramic surface is sensitive to point impact, chips or microcracks form;
• the cost of such devices still exceeds the cost of gas and electric stoves.

To summarize, it can be noted that the whole negative of glass ceramics lies in the complexity of operation and complex maintenance. But ease of use makes these shortcomings hardly noticeable.

Advantages of a gas hob

What is so good about this ceramic hob? The excellent decorative qualities of the glass-ceramic panel, in which gas burners in different configurations are used as heating elements, along with their efficiency, have determined their high popularity. Among the models there are familiar products with a flame above the surface and spectacular options for arranging burners under the glass-ceramic working surface.

The convenience of location in the right place has objectively made independent gas hobs the favorites of modern kitchen interiors.

The key advantage of glass ceramics is low thermal conductivity when distributing heat flows along a vertical vector. This feature allows the entire plane around the heated area to remain cold.

Gas panels, in which tempered glass, which is highly resistant to temperature changes, is used for the upper plane, are gradually rising to the highest level in a kind of rating. It can only suffer from sharp targeted impacts.

Decent choice

Considering the variety of models with glass-ceramic coating, choosing the right one is not easy. The most advanced models are comparable in price to a used car, but you can choose an inexpensive device with a small set of functions.

The depth of models intended for arrangement in furniture sets is 50 cm. In standard slabs it is 10 cm greater. The width of the slab also varies in two figures - 50 or 60 centimeters.

There are interesting combined specimens. They have 4 gas burners combined with two electric ones. The width of such a device is 90 centimeters.

There are models on the market with manual mechanical adjustment, but such control requires additional care. Glass-ceramic panels with touch controls are very popular; in this case, the aesthetics of the stove benefit and the adjustment is smoother. True, the cost of the device itself also increases.

The level of residual heat is a function unique to this type of heating device. You can clearly see how much heat remains in the burner. This helps to rationally manage energy consumption.

If you urgently need to increase the power of one burner, you can use the power transfer option (booster). Very convenient for quickly boiling water.

Demanding consumers consider the programming mode necessary; it reduces labor costs when preparing food.

A timer and boil control are mandatory attributes of a modern hob.

A skillful housewife will appreciate the heating zone, consisting of two concentric circles. The inner, small circle is used to heat small saucepans. For larger diameter items, both rings can be used.

To work with oval dishes, it is possible to combine two round spheres located nearby. As a result, an oval heating surface is formed.

Oven

Professional chefs state that it is possible to maintain a stable temperature only with the help of an electric oven. In advanced glass-ceramic hobs, ovens are equipped with a large number of convenient functions. Convection airflow evenly heats food placed in the oven, which is extremely important for baking.

Multilayer double-glazed windows and modern seals on the door ensure minimal heat loss. The presence of two heating elements - upper and lower, allows you to increase heating in a given place. An element such as a grill adds variety to the menu of an experienced housewife.

Telescopic guides are an excellent service. The pan with the door slides out of the oven, and the latches make it impossible for them to fall out.

There are no housewives who would love to wash the oven. The self-cleaning function comes to the rescue. All food residues and traces of fat burn out with short-term thermal heating up to 500 degrees, with the door locked.

Burners

On a glass-ceramic hob, the burners are practically invisible. But the productivity of the product depends on the elements that are inside. In glass ceramics, different types of burners are used:

1. Instant halogen burners. The speed of the process is ensured by a special halogen lamp. Its high heat transfer allows you to quickly and efficiently fry meat. True, energy consumption is also increased, and the service life of the halogen lamp is also short.
2. Rapid burners take longer to heat up, but are more economical and have a longer service life. In the most modern modifications, the density of the spiral has been increased, thereby reducing the heating time.
3. Induction burners have the highest efficiency and lowest energy consumption. They heat the bottom of specialized cookware. Such devices are expensive, plus a considerable amount is needed to purchase dishes.

A stove equipped with burners of different power and different diameters is considered optimal. This approach will help to significantly optimize energy consumption.

Rating

A brief description of the leading models will help you navigate more accurately in the range of glass-ceramic products.

Plates

GEFEST 6500-03 0042 (RUB 24,500)

The stove is made in a classic style, white design, glass on the facade and hob. Combined control panel with five mechanical controls, electrical display and touch timer. Double oven lighting. Rich equipment - spit, roasting pan, baking tray, grates.

GEFEST 6500-03 0045 (RUB 24,500)

Attractive stove design in dark colors. The work surface is tempered glass, 4 gas burners, one of them for quick heating. Auto-ignition function for desktop and oven. The complete set includes a grill, spit, and grates. The oven is equipped with double lighting and a gas control system. There is a drawer for utensils at the bottom of the stove.

GEFEST 5500-02 0069 (RUB 21,200)

Budget model with an original silver design. Despite the price category, all the necessary functions are present: electric ignition, oven gas control, sound timer, rotary grill. The working panel is made of tempered glass, the control type is mechanical.

Panels

Fornelli PGA 45 Fiero WH (RUB 15,000)

Available in two color options - black and white. The front edge is beveled. Three independent burners of different power, individual cast iron grate for each. Quick heating burner with triple flame effect and WOK adapter. System of full gas control and automatic electric ignition.

Kuppersberg TG 69W (RUB 21,000)

Elegant design of the model with a white glass ceramic work surface. The panel material does not absorb pollutants, making it easy to clean. Four independent burners of different power, including a WOK burner for faster heating. All nozzles can be turned on with a slight movement of one hand, thanks to automatic electric ignition. Heavy-duty cast iron grids help stabilize the position when using heavy cookware.

Hansa BHGW63111035 (RUB 11,100)

A budget option for a built-in hob made in Poland. At a moderate cost, it has all the necessary functions. 4 burners of different power provide good heating in different modes. The high-power burner implements the fast boiling function. Gas control of burners ensures safe operation. The white color of the panel itself will look good in any interior.

Modern glass-ceramic stoves belong to the category of smart household appliances. They are designed to make kitchen work as comfortable as possible. The various functions of such stoves significantly reduce cooking time. The appearance of these devices makes the kitchen truly stylish.