Which gas stove to choose

A gas stove has more advantages over an electric one both in terms of price and operation. The optimal choice of a gas stove depends on many factors: the size of the kitchen, the number of family members, preferred design and functionality.

Which gas stove to choose for the kitchen

All modern gas stoves are divided into 3 types:

1. Stove without oven.
2. Stove with oven.
3. Combination stove - it has both gas and electric burners.

The variety of products on the market allows us to satisfy any customer needs and wishes. Therefore, in order not to make a mistake in choosing, it is necessary to consider all selection criteria.

Optimal size

In addition to price, one of the fundamental signs of a rational choice is the size of the stove, determined by the size of the kitchen. The standard dimensions of a gas stove are as follows:

1. Height: 85 cm. Some models have special legs that allow you to change this figure.
2. Depth: 50-60 cm. This is a standard size designed for a classic kitchen countertop. Slabs with a depth of 60 cm are more common.
3. Width: 30-90 cm. Depends on the number of burners.

Surface Features and Design

Not only its service life, but also ease of use, as well as maintenance features will depend on the surface material from which the gas stove is made. The working surface can be made of enameled or stainless steel, tempered glass and glass ceramics. The most budget option is enameled steel - it can withstand any cleaning agents, but due to its appearance it does not fit into all interiors. Stainless steel is a classic material for hob surfaces. They are very practical, can withstand impacts and chemicals, but there is a risk of scratching them during cleaning and are prone to streaks. The design is discreet and will suit any kitchen. Tempered glass is cheaper than glass-ceramics, but is also inferior in performance characteristics. Glass is subject to frequent edge damage and is quite difficult to maintain; all traces of the cooking process are visible on it. Glass ceramics are one of the most expensive materials for hobs. This stove looks very elegant and presentable. Glass ceramics are chip-resistant and durable, but require careful and careful selection of non-abrasive detergents.

Number and size of burners

Modern manufacturers have improved classic burners, changing their shape and operating principle. Gas stoves can have from 1 to 5 burners. Their number depends on the size of the family. So, for one or two people, 2 burners are enough, or if the family eats mostly outside the home, there is also no need to install a large stove. If there are 3-4 people in the family, then the optimal choice would be 4 burners, where one is with minimal intensity, 2 are medium and 1 is high.A small burner is suitable for heating food or preparing small amounts of food, while a large burner will be used for fast and high heat.

The shape of the burners has also undergone changes in the latest models. They can be triangular, oval and even polygonal, which allows you to match them to any kitchen interior.

Important! Burners in which the flame is placed in 2, 3 or 4 circles are also gaining popularity. This burner heats up very quickly and evenly and is the most powerful of all types of burners. They are preferred by lovers of Chinese or Japanese cuisine.

Oven type

Ovens in gas stoves can be either gas or electric. Gas ovens are the most common and simplest models. This oven heats up faster, and using gas is cheaper than electricity. But the main disadvantage of such an oven is that heating occurs unevenly, since the burners are located at the bottom and cannot heat the product evenly and from all sides. In addition, electric ovens have great capabilities. For example, monitoring the accuracy and stability of temperature in ovens allows you to regulate the temperature with an interference of only 5 degrees.

Ovens are also usually equipped with double glass to prevent the possibility of burns. The forced cooling function of the walls takes care of the safety of the furniture in which it is built. It would also be useful to block it from accidental activation, which is especially important for families with small children. Convection, grill and spit functions are inherent in almost all oven models. More expensive options also include using the oven as a microwave for defrosting and drying food.

Control

Gas stoves differ in type of control:

1) Mechanical;

2) Electronic.

Mechanical control is much simpler, does not require studying additional instructions, does not depend on electricity and is more durable. In addition, it is unpretentious in care. On the other hand, mechanical control does not allow you to set a specific temperature for both the oven and the burners.

Electronic control, first of all, is more expensive than mechanical control. It requires learning, won't work in a power outage, and is fairly easy to break. But an electronically controlled stove looks much more respectable and modern, while opening up new possibilities for cooking, allowing you to set a certain temperature, timer and readiness notification.

Innovative Features

Gas stoves have also stepped into the age of high technology. Among the newest functions designed to make human life easier, it is worth highlighting electric ignition, timer and leakage control. Electric ignition allows you not to strike a match over the burner, but to ignite it with the usual turn of the handle. The gas control function, as well as electric ignition, is becoming standard. It helps prevent gas leakage if the flame goes out for any reason.

If a dish requires long-term heat treatment without mandatory control, then a timer function will be useful, which will turn off the burner at a given time and allow you to cook the product perfectly accurately. The convenience of oven lighting can hardly be overestimated. Very often it is necessary to control the cooking process visually. Instead of constantly opening the door and changing the cooking mode, you can simply turn on the backlight and evaluate the result.

The grill function will be appreciated by meat lovers.With this innovation, the product is fried more evenly and is processed with an open flame, which cannot be achieved in a conventional oven. More expensive models include a spit.

Poor-quality thermal insulation greatly spoils the experience of using the stove: it means unrisen dough, unbaked pies, damaged furniture, and a high probability of getting burns. Modern models are often equipped with thermal insulation boards, which avoids many problems. In addition, the oven door is also made of double or triple glazing, which reduces the risk of burns.

The choice of a gas stove depends on a large number of factors. The optimal option should satisfy both the material aspect and ease of use, and be suitable for the interior of the kitchen. Modern manufacturers strive to create the ideal device for everyone.