Modern electric stoves are presented in such a wide variety that it is very easy for people who are far from technical nuances to get lost in it. The electrical goods market offers both traditional hobs with cast iron burners and high-tech products in the Art Nouveau style. Before going to the store, you should determine what kind of stove you need, what functions should be provided in it and how intensively it will be used. You also need to find out what is more important to you - convenience in cooking or how the device will fit into the interior of the kitchen? In this article, you will find the answer to the question of what is the best electric cooker for you.
When choosing an electric stove, you need to pay attention:
on the dimensions of the product;
on what material the hob is made of;
on the type of burners;
the appearance of the oven, if it is built-in;
for additional features;
to the manufacturer.
Dimensions (edit)
The most versatile models of electric stoves that can fit into a kitchen of any size include products with the following parameters: 50 × 50 cm; 55 × 55 cm; 50 × 60 cm; 60 × 60 cm.
If you need a "camping" electric stove to sometimes take it to the country house, then you can choose the smallest model (for 1-2 burners).
Pay attention to the presence of adjustable legs, with which you can adjust the height of the stove to the level of other kitchen furniture next to it.
Hob materials (advantages and disadvantages):
Enamelled steel is characterized by high hygienic qualities, a large selection of colors, affordable.
Stainless steel is somewhat more expensive, but it can be laundered without much difficulty.
The special aluminum alloy is superior in quality to the above types of surfaces. It does not leave scratches, it does not fade and is easy to clean.
Glass ceramics have an excellent appearance and have all the characteristics of an aluminum alloy, but they quickly deteriorate when exposed to sugary foods. In this case, you will have to take special care when preparing jam, compotes, jelly, etc.
Burner types
The number of burners installed in electric stoves can vary from 2 to 6. In enameled models, "pancakes" are used - flat heating elements of a rounded shape, placed in a cast-iron body. They retain heat well, have a durable and wear-resistant surface, and they are easy to care for.
There are three types of cast iron burners:
ordinary;
high power - for quickly heating food (they are marked with a red circle);
automatic - with a sensor that detects the temperature of the dishes in order to reset the power at the right time.
In glass-ceramic hobs, the burners are more diverse:
ordinary - with a spiral inside;
"Hi-Light" - with a corrugated tape providing fast heating;
halogen - the fastest (turn on instantly);
induction - they differ in that they heat the bottom of the dishes, and not the stove.
Types of ovens
Hotplates with built-in static ovens have little functionality. They are most often equipped with two heating elements (upper and lower), and in rare cases with a rotating grill.
In multifunctional ovens, hot air is distributed by a fan. Also, these models can work in several modes: defrosting, pizza cooking, steaming, etc.
In modern electric stoves, additional features can be provided: backlighting in the oven, steam extraction, timer, heat indicator, memory, control of water boiling.
Manufacturer
Many companies are engaged in the production of electric stoves. But, according to numerous reviews, the products of such brands as Beko, Indesit, Ariston, Gorenje, Candy and some others are of the highest quality.
When giving preference to one or another manufacturer, you should first clearly define your needs and weigh well which of the offered opportunities will be useful to you. And then the purchased device will become your irreplaceable assistant for many years.