Glass-ceramic cooker - a useful acquisition or an unreasonable waste?

Colleagues lively discuss the merits of the new glass-ceramic stove, and you have no idea how it works? Lost in unfamiliar terms and have no time to figure it out? We will explain, tell you how to choose, and give a list of decent models in this article.
First you need to figure out what a glass ceramic plate is.

Glass-ceramic stove - what is it?

A stove whose hob is made of glass ceramics is called glass ceramic.
Glass ceramics are made of quartz sand using technological additives. Sand is melted at a high temperature, auxiliary components are added to it, air bubbles are removed, allowed to cool - it turns out glass-ceramic. This composite material has properties that even tempered glass cannot boast. This is strength and anisotropic thermal conductivity - the ability to transfer heat in one direction is better than in the other.
Glass-ceramic plates have pros and cons that must be considered when choosing a model for your kitchen.

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of such plates are largely due to the properties of the glass-ceramic coating of the panel:

1. Unique thermal conductivity: glass ceramics conduct heat better in the vertical direction than in the horizontal. The pan heats up more efficiently and the adjoining cooking surface remains cold.
2. Low inertia: glass ceramics heat up quickly and cool just as quickly. Reducing the degree of heating immediately affects the actual temperature of the burner. Previously, only gas stoves were distinguished by this. The plus is that a few minutes after preparation, you can touch the work plane with your hand.
3. Surface Strength: The material will withstand the fall of heavy pans. However, you should not arrange a test drive: a crack will appear from a point impact with a sharp heavy object.
4. Selecting the desired heating zone: you can change both the heating area and its shape. The function is useful for making coffee in a turk, as well as for stewing meat in a chicken bowl.
5. Hob lock function. A certain combination of pressing the touch buttons makes the work surface inactive, which prevents the child from accidentally turning it on.
6. Additional options in some models are the modes of automatic cooking and reduction of heating power. The burner operates at maximum power for the specified time, and then reduces the heating to the set value. Suitable for dishes and products requiring long cooking (boiled beef, meatballs, etc.). Significantly facilitates the cooking process, without requiring a permanent presence in the kitchen.
7. Modern appearance. Stylish hob fits harmoniously into the interior. In addition, it looks much more attractive than conventional electric or gas stoves.

Disadvantages:

1. Moody in leaving. Glass-ceramic coating can only be washed with special tools without abrasive particles. It is better to forget about metal brushes and washcloths right away.
2. Requires suitable utensils. The bottom should be even and suitable in diameter to the burner.
3. Troublesome to operate. Glass ceramics are destroyed by molten plastic, aluminum foil, and sticky sugar. These substances must be removed immediately. Also, after preparation, it is necessary to remove any impurities, otherwise the stove will “delight” with stains and discoloration of the coating.
4. Price. Usually it is much higher than that of electric stoves with cast-iron or spiral hobs.

What utensils to use?

Glass-ceramic manufacturers advise choosing pots with a double perfectly flat bottom. Chips, convex inscriptions are not allowed: they can damage the coating.

It is highly recommended not to cook in dishes made of aluminum and copper: it leaves stubborn stains. Ceramic or glass containers are also not suitable.

On glass-ceramic plates with induction heating, the same dishes with one addition are used: a magnet should “stick” to the bottom of the pan.

To determine if this container is suitable, read the manufacturer's instructions on the possibility of its use on a particular coating.

Types of Cookers

All glass-ceramic plates are united by a glass-ceramic working surface. However, the types of heating elements under the hob vary. By the type of heat source, devices are classified into:

• electric;
• induction;
• gas.

The principle of operation of electric and gas stoves is similar: the temperature is transferred from the heat source to the panel, then to the dishes.

The operation of the induction cooker is different: the induction current heats the dishes directly, bypassing the panel. This gives rise to a number of main advantages of induction cookers:

• safety - the plane of the table heats only from the pan, so the neighboring areas are relatively cool. Burning with a non-hot surface is difficult even with a great desire. In addition, the boiled broth will not burn, as on a red-hot coating of a gas stove;
• energy efficiency. Now you do not need to select the diameter of the dishes: the pan is heated directly, unlike ordinary electric stoves, where the entire heater is heated, despite the smaller diameter of the container. Electricity is used sparingly.

All stoves, the hob of which is made of glass ceramics, compare favorably with their outdated predecessors.

Induction glass-ceramic stoves have more advantages, however, the final decision is yours.

What to consider when choosing a model?

To choose the option that is ideal for you, you should keep in mind some criteria:

1. Type of connection. It is difficult to use a gas stove in a house where there is no centralized gas supply.
2. Functionality: the presence of a lock, automatic shutdown, electric grill and other useful additions make life easier, but also increase the cost.
3. Options - with or without an oven? Freestanding or built-in? Answer these questions, considering that the embedded kit will cost more.
4. Type of hob - classic hotplate or glass ceramic. If you have already used a hotplate, is it worth trying something new? Of course, modern coating has certain requirements for care, but this is just a matter of habit.
5. Dimensions Too large for your kitchen, the appliance will begin to annoy over time.
6. Easy to care. Modern ovens are equipped with a pyrolysis cleaning system: contaminants burn out under the influence of high temperature. What else can you dream of? Touch control of the table, unlike buttons and knobs, will facilitate manual cleaning.
7. The issue of price. Think about whether all the additional functions of an expensive stove are needed in everyday life, or can you get by with the budget option with a simple set of options?
8. Appearance. The device should be pleasing to the eye and in harmony with the kitchen furniture, because the housewives spend so much time in the kitchen.

By taking into account the above nuances, you reduce the risk of a worthless purchase. The point is small - choose a model!

Recommended Models

Below is a list of optimal models in terms of price, quality and functionality. They are arranged in descending order of cost and connected options.

GEFEST 6560-03 0001

The cost of 24.4 thousand rubles, dimensions (hereinafter ShhGhV) 600x600x850 mm. There are four electric burners, of which two are double-circuit. Power 7.8 kW, 24 months warranty. Manufacturer - Belarus.
Includes barbecue, electric skewer, electric grill, convection. A double oven light provides complete control over the cooking process. A multifunctional electronic timer is both a clock and an alarm clock, and it will even turn on (if it is a delayed start) and turn off the oven after cooking.
Indicator of residual heat, blocking the inclusion of burners - for granted. Control the table using the sensor, the oven - using the rotary knobs and timer.
It is impossible to remain silent about the stylish performance of this model. The glass facade with a marble pattern can delight even the most skeptical guest. Available in brown and black.

BEKO CSE 57300 GA

Price from 20.4 thousand rubles, dimensions 500x600x850 mm. Four rings, one of which is double-circuit. Residual heat indicator, electric grill. Power 7.8 kW, 2 year warranty. Country of manufacture - Turkey.
Convection will allow you to evenly distribute the temperature in the oven, and an electric grill will bake chicken with a crispy crust - all homemade ones will ask for supplements! A nice addition will be a display indicating the cooking time and a timer that changes the tone of the sound signal. In a complete set a drawer for storage of ware. No cooking zone lock.
Indicators of residual heat will help to consume energy economically - this temperature is enough to make the dish reach culinary readiness.
A nice bonus of this plate is the color of the case. Strict anthracite is able to revive even the most simple kitchen set. Yes, and less visible pollution on it.

Hansa FCCX54100

The price is from 19950 rubles, dimensions are 500x600x850 mm. Four rings of fast heating, indicator of residual heat, electric grill. Power 7.8 kW, 1 year warranty. Made in Poland.
Burners of greater power will allow you to cook a dish in less time. There is no control panel lock.
The oven is equipped with a backlight, the maximum heating up to 260 degrees. Double glass in the oven door protects against burns - no heat is transferred to the outer glass. There is a mechanical timer with a mute function.

DARINA 1B EC331 606 W

The cost of 12.7 thousand rubles, dimensions 500x560x850 mm. Three rings, residual heat indicator, control interlock function. Power 6.6 kW, 2 year warranty. Manufacturer - Russia.
Unusually, the hob is designed for 3 burners, however, according to consumers, this is quite enough. The form of heating does not change in any.
The residual heat indicator illuminates the heating zone during its operation or cooling. The lamp will go out when the temperature of the working area drops to safe. There is no timer. There is a utility room with a hinged door.
Attractive appearance: the combination of a white body and black glass-ceramic both on the working panel and on the oven door will please any unassuming housewife.

Title	GEFEST 6560-03 0001	BEKO CSE 57300 GA	Hansa FCCX54100	DARINA 1B EC331 606 W
Control	mechanical, switches: rotary, display, timer	electronic, switches: rotary, display, timer	mechanical, switches: rotary, timer sound	mechanical, switches: rotary
Dimensions (WxDxH)	60x60x85 cm	50x60x85 cm	50x60x85 cm	50x56x85 cm
Oven volume	52 l	55 l	69 l	50 l
Grill	there is, electric, spit included	there is an electric	there is	no
Convection	there is	there is	no	no
Price	from 21950 rub.	from 19500 rub.	from 21500 rub.	from 14200 rub.

Induction panels

Here are two options for those who do not need an oven.

Iplate YZ-C20

The Iplate YZ-C20 induction cooker is universal: it is used both as a stand-alone device and as a built-in panel. It is supplied with two rings. The small dimensions of 600x360x75 mm and a low weight of 4.9 kg allow you to freely move and even remove it from the kitchen if it is not needed in the near future. Power 3.1 kW. It is made by the Russian company Iplate, a guarantee of 3 years. The cost ranges from 8445 to 10207 rubles.
The huge advantage of this stove is its quick heating, as well as safety: the magnetic field heats the dishes, and not the working plane of the table. This reduces the risk of burns.
The stove turns off automatically if you remove the pan from the surface, as well as if empty dishes are detected. Heating will not turn on if you forget to put borsch on the stove.
Two timers and displays make it convenient to control each burner individually. Touch control is blocked to prevent accidental activation.

Kitfort CT-104

The cheaper Kitfort KT-104 induction cooker model also has two burners. Dimensions (600x360x65 mm), weight and lack of an oven are similar to the previous model. The power of this model is more - 4 kW. The price range is from 6120 to 8470 rubles. Kitfort is a Russian company with production facilities located in China. This partly explains the attractiveness of product prices and a shorter warranty period of 1 year.
Seven pre-installed programs allow you to find an individual approach to each dish (soup, milk, frying, roast, etc.).
Built-in protection against overheating will not allow glass ceramics to deteriorate from excessive exposure to high temperatures. Automation will also turn off the stove after 2 hours of inactivity.
As with the previous sample, you can choose the power and temperature mode of heating.
Push-button control of two panels gives even more comfort in handling the stove.

A glass-ceramic stove can be a useful acquisition if you are ready to provide it with proper care - washing the hob after each cooking. Does this prospect depress you? Then it might be better to consider buying a classic hotplate.
Whichever plate the consumer chooses, the main thing is that it must correspond to individual preferences and financial capabilities!

Title	Iplate YZ-C20	Kitfort CT-104
Installation	autonomous	autonomous
Dimensions (WxD)	60x37 cm	60x35 cm
Panel Material	glass ceramic	glass ceramic
Total burners	2	2
Switches	sensory	push-button
Price	from 8890 rub.	from 6200 rub.