How to choose a gas stove? Buyer Tips
Modern gas stoves are so functional that their characteristics are not inferior to electric ones. How not to get lost in the huge assortment? Let's see what you need to pay special attention to when buying.
Dimensions (edit)
choose a gas stove
Although the sizes of gas stoves do not differ much, carefully measure the place where you plan to put it before choosing the final model.
When deciding on a model, remember that the wider the gas stove, the larger the area of the burners or the number of burners themselves, and, accordingly, the higher its power. Therefore, wide models should be chosen by the owners of kitchens, the sizes of which allow them to "turn around" in the cooking process. The most common models are 50-55 or 60 cm wide.When choosing a built-in hob, keep in mind that its width directly depends on a similar countertop size and most often is about 60 cm.
The standard height of a gas stove is, as a rule, 85 cm. However, now there are models with adjustable legs, with the help of which it will not be difficult to adjust the stove to the desired height of your kitchen.
Hotplates
In modern stoves you can find burners of different power and diameter. Therefore, it is better to give preference to stoves equipped with different burners, so that later you can quickly and easily cook your favorite dishes. Most often, the complete set of the stove consists of two standard burners, and two - low and high power, respectively.
Some manufacturers have decided not to dwell on models with standard burners, and are actively using new technologies. So, relatively recently, models with two-circuit and even three-circuit burners have appeared, so named after the number of rings or flame circuits. The multi-level design allows you to significantly increase the power of the stove, from which the dishes are heated much more intensively. If you are a fan of the high speeds of the modern world, with these burners and cooking will turn into an ultra-fast process!
Hob
When choosing a gas stove, pay attention to the hob, or rather, to the material from which it is made. The following options are most common, differing both in price and in the degree of strength:
Enamelled surfaces. These are the most affordable models with high hygiene characteristics. The undoubted advantage of enameled surfaces is a wide variety of colors, which can please even the most sophisticated housewives, and ease of cleaning. But enamel is a fragile (in comparison with others) material, so such plates are quite easy to damage;
Metallic surfaces. Among these models, plates with a stainless steel surface are common, which, despite their high cost, do not corrode and are even easier to clean. There are also models with aluminum surfaces subjected to a special treatment, which minimizes maintenance of the slab and prevents tarnishing of the panel;
Glass ceramic surfaces. Although such models have appeared relatively recently, they have already been able to win the trust of buyers. Still, the surface between the burners on such a stove practically does not heat up, which cannot be said about ordinary panels. Moreover, it is very convenient to wash it. But when choosing a stove with a glass-ceramic surface, be especially careful and make sure that no food debris sticks to it.
Oven
A gas stove can be supplied with both a gas and an electric oven. Gas ovens, as a rule, do not have a fan and there are only two heating modes. In this respect, electric ovens are more functional and also safe to use. Therefore, a gas stove with an electric oven is often the best choice.
Gas ovens
Gas ovens are preferred by connoisseurs of food cooked over an open fire. As a rule, such ovens are equipped with a gas heating element at the bottom and a gas grill at the top. In addition to the grill, in the configuration of gas ovens, you can find a spit used for cooking poultry, fish or pieces of meat, and other additional devices that allow you to quickly cook grilled chicken or up to a kilogram of deliciously fried barbecue. In addition, in modern stoves you can find gas ovens with electric grill or convection, in the design of which special hollow burners are used, which exclude the possibility of blowing out fire during the circulation of hot air.
Electric ovens
Both traditional and multifunctional electric ovens are available. In the latter, as a rule, several sources of heating and convection are used. Also, electric ovens can be equipped with a spit and an electric grill. Thus, you can independently combine the type and method of heating, choosing the optimal cooking program. Using convection (forced circulation of hot air) allows you to quickly and evenly heat the dish to a crispy crust, reducing the total cooking time by one third.
When deciding on an oven, do not forget about safety. Therefore, it is best to opt for an oven with double or triple insulation. This will prevent burns when touching the door.
Electric ignition
This feature is not only very popular but also useful. Indeed, with its help, you can completely abandon the use of matches or lighters. There are 2 types of electric ignition:
Normal, in which it is enough just to turn the burner control switch and press the electric ignition button;
Auto. It is even simpler - ignition will occur immediately when turning.
Gas supply control
Gas control is able to protect your kitchen if the fire accidentally goes out, regardless of the reasons - whether it was blown out by a draft or flooded with escaping milk. Thanks to this function, the gas supply will be automatically shut off when the flame is extinguished. Both the burners and the oven can be equipped with a similar control system. The best option, of course, is to have a gas control on each burner on the stove.
The service life of modern gas stoves is calculated up to 30 years. Therefore, having made the right choice of a gas stove, taking into account our advice today, you will not have to return to this issue for a long time.
Happy choice and good shopping for you!