Choice of a stove in the kitchen is not an easy task, especially since recently the range of kitchen stoves has been replenished with a new model, the surface of which is made of extra strong glass ceramics. The glass ceramic plate is characterized by an unusual design and improved characteristics designed to simplify, secure and automate the cooking process.
In this review, "House of Dreams" offers its readers to understand the features of glass-ceramic cookers, as well as in choosing the right dishes for them and the delicacies of care, because how and what to clean such a surface you need to know for sure in the future to avoid unpleasant surprises and keep the excellentappearance of technology.
Glass-ceramic plate
Features and characteristics of the glass-ceramic plate
The first thing that attracts attention in the glass-ceramic plate is its unusual design and smooth surface, which seems to be created for a high-tech style in the kitchen or any futuristic interior directions.
This cooker does not have the usual burners, as their function is performed by cooking zones with built-in heating elements. However, this design of the plate was created not only for stylish design, but also because of increased thermal conductivity. To warm up a standard electric stove equipped with metal circular burners, it takes several minutes, and the glass-ceramic plate heats up almost instantly. In addition, glass ceramic electric cookers are designed in such a way that in the course of work only the working zone is heated, and the rest of the surface practically does not change its temperature. This feature makes the cooking process as safe as possible, as if you accidentally hit the stove, you will not get burned, which happens when cooking on a regular electric stove.
Glass-ceramic plates photo
Plate with glass-ceramic surface
Unique features of heating this type of plate allow to save both energy consumption and cooking time. Heating elements warm up only the bottom of the cookware, so that with economical energy consumption, food is prepared much faster.
Some plates are designed in such a way that spiral heating elements are located under the cooking surface. This shape allows you to choose the amount of warming up depending on the volume of dishes. In addition, most of the plates are equipped with a hotplate with an expandable zone, which is ideal for warming utensils of non-standard shape.
Along with the plates, many manufacturers produce separate cooking surfaces. The glass ceramic hob has an identical operating principle and heating, as well as an independent stove. But the plates are most often produced together with the oven. In this case, the ovens also have unique characteristics. They are equipped with several heating elements and a ventilation system, so that heat spreads throughout the entire area of the oven, which contributes to a uniform and quick preparation of food.
Glass-ceramic electrical cookers
Most glass-ceramic cooker manufacturers prefer to equip them with a touch-sensitive control panel. Advantage of the touch panel is that it is absolutely not noticeable on the surface of the plate and, moreover, allows more smoothly adjusting the temperature of the cooking zone.
There are also gas cookers with a glass ceramic surface. These models operate on gas, but there is a glass-ceramic panel on the surface of the plate, which eliminates the presence of open fire.
Reflecting on how to choose a glass ceramic plate, the first step is to decide whether you need a separate plate or you want to purchase an embedded surface. Despite the fact that the stove is additionally equipped with an oven, the cost of an embedded surface is often more expensive than a stand alone unit. As for the choice of the manufacturer, now slabs with such a surface are produced by almost all large companies. For example, products from the Czech and Turkish brand Mora and Beko earned good reviews from budget options. More expensive models of plates are widely represented by such brands as Samsung, Electrolux, DeLuxe, Bosch and Zanussi.
Glass ceramic hobs
Glass ceramic hob
Choice of dishes for glass-ceramic plates
This type of cooker has one drawback - it is impossible to use the usual dishes for us. The dishes for the glass-ceramic plate should have a flat flat bottom. In addition, the bottom should be thick and matte. Also note that for glass-ceramic plates dishes that do not have a circumference are much smaller than the circumference of the heated zone. If the hob is noticeably wider than the dishes, when it is on, its edges will overheat, which will significantly reduce the service life of the cooker.
Of no small importance is the material of the dishes. Aluminum and copper products are not suitable for glass-ceramic plates, becausebecause of these materials, traces remain on its surface. Glass and ceramic dishes are safer, however, these materials are characterized by low thermal conductivity. Best for this plate is suitable stainless steel cookware, as well as from those materials on which it is indicated that they can be used on a surface of glass ceramics.
Cookware for glass-ceramic cookware
Cookware set for glass-ceramic plates
Care instructions for glass-ceramic cookers
Care for glass-ceramic cooktop at first glance seems quite labor-intensive. It is recommended to use only special tools for cleaning glass-ceramic plates.any other washing substances can cause oxidation and provoke the formation of fine micro-scratches.
Remains of food or contamination from the surface of the plate should not be removed with a washcloth or rag.for this task there is a special scraper. The scraper for the glass-ceramic plate is equipped with a particularly thin blade, which gently cleans the dirt, without damaging the surface of the panel.
When studying how to clean the glass-ceramic plate, note that for this purpose it is quite suitable tools. For example, with very strong soiling it is recommended to pour soda on a stain and pour it with lemon juice. In about 10 minutes, the chemical reaction completely eliminates even the oldest contamination.
You can also use a solution of water and vinegar in a ratio of 1: 1 to clean the slab. This solution, in addition, disinfects the surface.
Than to clean a glass-ceramic plate
Thanks to the unique functions, the glass-ceramic plate has won wide popularity among buyers. The relatively high price of this unit is fully justified, because with proper operation and maintenance this plate will last you for many years, while saving power consumption.
