Ceramic top. Models. Advices.
- Admin
- May 29, 2024
In the 21st century, it is impossible to imagine a cozy home without a stove and hotplates. Although in this hectic everyday life we rarely have time to cook, delicious food can always be prepared at home, so even if we rarely cook, the stove and the hotplates on it keep the first place in the ranking of the most important appliances in our home .In another article we will say something about the stove, but now we will talk a little about the hotplates.
But what is glass ceramic?
This is a specially processed glass, which is formed in a process called crystallization. This process produces a product that is extremely resistant to temperatures. But this is very general. In fact, glass ceramics are able to withstand temperatures of 700 degrees and even more. You can test its strength by heating the stove and then pouring ice water over it. You will see for yourself that the resistance of this material to temperature shock is really impressive! It is widely used in cooking appliances, various heating systems or the glass for the doors of fireplaces. The main advantage of glass-ceramic tops is their easy and quick transfer of heat from the heaters to the top, and this heat is precisely directed only in the area of the hob, i.e. is. heat losses are limited, which leads to their next advantage, namely energy savings.There are two ways to turn on the glass-ceramic hob. With a button or with a sensor touch, as I personally am a fan of the buttons, because very often the sensor is dirty and I get dirty when I press it.
The hobs can be cast iron or the recently fashionable glass-ceramic ones. The latter really look stylish and will give a modern look to any kitchen. According to the installation, they can be built-in or for open installation, and according to the functionality, ceramic or combined. The most popular recently are the built-in glass-ceramic stove top that somehow look like part of the kitchen and not as an additional element. I want to emphasize with a thick line that this in no way affects the operation of the machine, but simply the design.
1. All-ceramic hobs. It is a ceramic plate with 4 hotplates under which heaters and other components are located. However, if you are not a chef and cooking is not your passion, then 4 hotplates are too many, so you can also choose glass ceramic with only 2 hotplates. Both the installation is easier, and you will add some useful space on the kitchen bar.
2. Combined ceramic top is a 2-part plate. One part entirely on electricity and another part equipped with gas supply. These are also the most preferred hobs for cooking, because gas is economical and you heat food very quickly on it. Another advantage of combined hobs is that even if the power goes out, you will still be able to quickly and easily cook your food on gas. Of course, not everything is so "rosy" and beautiful, and behind this kind of stoves top there are also serious flaws. Gas, like any other fuel, is dangerous and harmful to humans, and if you happen to have a broken hose, you can seriously damage your health. Of course, the gas has a specific and sharp smell, which is added by the manufacturers so that in case of damage you can feel its presence in the room you are in and take the appropriate measures.
Hobs, like any other technology, undergo constant development and changes, so you can take a look at the latest modern induction hobs. Visually they do not differ from their "brothers", but they have something different... Generally speaking, induction hobs create an electromagnetic field that directly heats the surface of the pan or pot without wasting energy in a heating element under or around the cooking vessel, which making it an extremely energy efficient appliance. Another advantage of induction hobs is their safety. In other words, in addition to overheating protection, they have an extremely sensitive sensor that senses when you lift the pot from the stove and automatically stops the heat supply. Despite all the advantages that we have highlighted, this technology also has its disadvantages. For example, the magnetic field of the stove needs a special material to interact. Pots and pans must have a metal bottom, which must be attracted by a magnet. If you already have dishes that do not meet these requirements, unfortunately they must be thrown away or stored somewhere for other times. Another disadvantage is the higher price compared to ordinary ceramic hobs.
How to clean the ceramic hob?
Cleaning here is easy, but you have to be careful. Although the glass ceramic top is extremely strong and durable, it is not difficult to be scratched and lose its dazzling and shiny appearance. Be careful with the detergents and sponges you use to clean it. There are many effective methods for cleaning the hob, but to proceed with them you need to make sure that the hobs have cooled down, since hot surfaces can evaporate all preparations on contact, which can have a negative impact not only on the structure of the glass-ceramic table, but also on your health. In the stores there is a huge variety of special products that delicately clean your stoves. However, if you don't have the opportunity to go to the store, look somewhere in the closet for a microfiber cloth. You can make a homemade detergent with baking soda or lemon juice, for example. If you decide to use lemon, find an empty spray bottle and spray the hotplates liberally, then gently wipe with a damp cloth and then the microfibre.
I want to insert a very important thing here. Lately I've been reading on the internet that sugar can destroy the surface of glass ceramics. I want to assure you that this is not the case. Personally, I have accidentally spilled melted sugar on the counter and at first I was startled because the hobs looked bloated, but I bought a special scraper with which I carefully removed the burnt sugar. I cleaned it with detergent and the hobs was like new, so even and spill some sugar on the stove don't panic!
There are various manufacturers, such as Bosch, Gorenje, AEG, Neff, Hotpoint, Beko, Zanussi, indesit and many others, who constantly emphasize the advantages of their products. Their price varies according to the extras with which they are equipped. However, you should choose the best product for your needs.