Hob or gas stove - which is better?
A housewarming or renovation of an apartment means not only the pleasant chores of arranging the interior, but also a careful selection of household appliances. One of the important issues is kitchen equipment. Is it worth buying a hob, or will a time-tested gas stove be more convenient?
The content of the article
Hob Features
If you don’t plan to use an oven, you can avoid loading up the space with an electric stove and choose a compact, stylish hob. It is mounted into the countertop, and there is plenty of space underneath for equipping kitchen drawers and installing a dishwasher. The one-piece design makes cleaning easy and fits seamlessly into any environment.
On sale today you can find older enameled models, as well as glass-ceramic options. Depending on the modificationations, you can choose induction, gas or mixed system.
Advantages of an electric hob
The first plus is aesthetics. There are no rough switches or grates with burners - the heating zones are simply applied to the surface. You can place such a panel on almost any countertop, because it does not take up much space and is suitable even for a small kitchen.
Cleaning also does not take much time, because during installation all joints are carefully closed, and dirt does not accumulate there. Simply wipe the surface with a cloth to remove small stains.
Many people worry that at some point they will want to buy an oven, but will not be able to install it. But the oven can be purchased separately, and it is absolutely not necessary to place it above the hob - these two types of equipment can work independently of each other.
Another important plus is faster food preparation due to the fact that modern burners are more powerful.
Disadvantages of the hob
The first thing that stops many buyers is the price. You will have to pay a lot not only for high-quality equipment, but also for its installation. You can try to install the panel yourself, but you need to perfectly fit it to the size of the cut opening in the countertop, so that dirt does not get into the cracks later.
It is also important to properly organize the ventilation system so that during the cooking process, excess heat does not affect nearby furniture, which could catch fire.
Additional costs also await those who buy a separate gas-based panel and oven - each type of equipment will require a separate hose. Such changes will have to be coordinated with the gas service, a separate project must be drawn up and the services of a specialist must be used, since such work is prohibited from being carried out independently.
Despite the ease of care, the surface is very sensitive. Chips may appear on the enamel or glass even after one awkward movement, and grains of sugar accidentally left on the stove during heating are a direct path to cracks.Fixing any defect or problem will be expensive.
IMPORTANT! Most ceramic or glass hobs can withstand a weight of no more than 15–17 kg overall and up to 5–6 kg on each burner. So, it will be difficult to cook a lot of food for a large family at once.
Features of a gas stove
The good old gas stoves are still in use. Today they no longer look so boring and faceless. The color scheme is varied, and you can always choose the equipment that best fits into the kitchen decor.
Modern models are equipped with useful functions that will help make cooking comfortable. For example, the burners have an LED indicator for turning on, there is a timer and even a display that shows the degree of readiness of the dish in the oven.
There is a built-in backlight inside to make it easier to observe the process, and the door can always be locked, which will be an excellent solution for families with children.
Advantages of a gas stove
There are compelling arguments in favor of gas stoves. This technique will be cheaper and does not require complex installation. Simply remove the old stove and install a new one by connecting a hose.
The high degree of strength allows you to cook a lot on such a stove and not be afraid of cracks on the surface, as is the case with a hob. Washing will also not be a problem - no special products are needed for cleaning. Heavy dirt can be removed with a soft brush, after which there will be no scratches.
Disadvantages of a gas stove
There are many disadvantages to this technique. This is a bulky option that is not suitable for a small kitchen. It is difficult to fit a stove into a kitchen set - it will divide it, and the cracks formed after installation will become a place for dirt and food debris to accumulate.
IMPORTANT! The stove will need to be located only in a specific place where the gas supply hose is located. Therefore, it will not be possible to actively experiment with kitchen design.
Conclusion
So what should you choose? It is better to take into account not only the price and your own wishes, but also the size of the kitchen, the number of people in the family and even the desire to cook. The main advantage of living in the modern world is the ability to choose. Therefore, everyone can find the right type of equipment for their home!
A year ago I bought myself an Indesit hob. Heats up quickly, there is a lock button, which is very important. Easy to clean.