Comparison Freggia HA 640 TB black vs Hotpoint-Ariston PH 941 MSTV GH stainless steel

— Gas. One of the key advantages of gas burners is considered to be an instant reaction to the turn of the knob, which allows you to control the cooking mode very precisely. In addition, such heaters are compatible with any heat-resistant cookware, regardless of the material from which it is made. Besides, they work effectively with cookware with any bottom, not necessarily flat (the main thing is that the cookware can stand stably on the grate). Another advantage, in this case, may be the low cost of gas compared to electricity. At the same time, gas burners require care and caution both during ignition and during cooking, and a specialist should be involved in connecting such a hob. By itself, the gas flame is not suitable for some specific devices (see "Product type"): for example, it is practically not used for grills and fryers. Also, note that gas pipelines for connection are far from being everywhere: for example, in the private sector or rural areas it may cause problems, and in houses above 10 floors gas is not used due to safety requirements. However, there remains a fallback option — replaceable gas cylinders. Nevertheless, it can only be considered an extreme measure, and in the absence of gas, it is usually more convenient to acquire an electric stove.

— Electric. Electric heaters are considered easier and safer to use than gas ones. So, they turn on and of...f with a simple turn of the knob, gas leakage is impossible in them, you do not need to control the flame, and the spilt liquid is only fraught with unscheduled cleaning on the stove. Electric heating is suitable for absolutely any type of built-in hob (see "Product type"), and for grills, it is generally the only option available. At the same time, various additional functions can be provided in devices with electric heaters — up to preinstalled cooking programmes. Also, the burner can be given a non-standard shape, unlike a gas burner. With all this, there are mains in every room where hobs are generally used, which makes such models more versatile. And connection, is generally much simpler than gas heaters, although a specialist is needed (for more details, see "Input power"). However, electric burners consume a lot of electricity, which can affect electricity bills and require high-quality wiring. nevertheless, in more or less new homes, there are almost no problems with wiring. Of the unequivocal disadvantages of electric hobs, it is worth noting significant thermal inertia: in other words, the burner does not react immediately to turning the knob, and sometimes the delay is calculated in tens of seconds or even minutes. However, there are some types of burners where this drawback is completely or partially eliminated, but they, in turn, are not cheap (for more details on the different types of burners, see below). The second important point is the specific requirements for the cookware: for normal heating, it must have a flat bottom that is in close contact with the burner. And induction heaters also have a limitation on materials. Also, among the disadvantages, one can mention a lower heating temperature than gas, but this point is relevant mainly for specific recipes. Among the electric ones, there are models equipped with both one type of burners ( induction, Hi-Light, solid plate), and mixed options (induction with Hi-Light burners).

— Combined. A hob equipped with two types of burners at once — gas and electric. More details about each option are written above. And combined models are most often four-burner hobs, equipped with burners according to the “3+1” scheme (3 gas and 1 electric) or “2+2” (respectively, equally those and those). The first option will be convenient primarily where there may be interruptions in gas supply: when the gas is turned off, you can use the “spare” electric burner. The second option is suitable for those who have an extensive supply of recipes and prefer to use different types of burners for different situations. However, both situations are rare, and the combined models themselves combine not only the advantages but also the disadvantages of both types of heaters. For example, they require a gas connection and consume a lot of energy when operating electric burners. As a result, this type is much less common than purely gas or electric models.

— Enamel. The simplest and most common type of coating. Enamel combines low cost and good strength parameters. In addition, it can be produced in almost any colour. On the other hand, cleaning it can require considerable effort, and over time scratches and chips appear on such a surface.

— Stainless steel. Steel surfaces have a nice appearance. In addition, they are stronger than enamelled ones; cracks and chips do not appear on them. Also, steel is quite easy to clean, but it is difficult to maintain its cleanliness — dirt appears easily, and even fingerprints can ruin a neat appearance. And for cleaning you need to use special tools, otherwise, you can scratch the stove.

— Glass ceramics. Glass ceramics as a material is generally remarkable for its high thermal conductivity combined with good strength and heat resistance specs. Schott Ceram and EuroKera, manufacturers of this very glass ceramics, which manufacturers of household appliances install in their models, were especially successful in this. It made it possible to create original models of electric hobs, where the heating elements are located under a solid glass ceramic surface. The properties of this material allow it to be used with induction hobs(see below). Such surfaces do not have protruding part...s, and the location of the heaters is marked only by lines; thanks to this, you can conveniently move the dishes between the heaters, and cleaning such a surface is as simple as possible. However, there are also disadvantages: glass ceramics is less durable than enamel or steel. It requires dishes with a flat bottom, and spilling liquid on a flat surface is fraught with spreading over the entire stove and (not only). Also, this material is used in gas cooking surfaces "gas-on-glass". However, it is rather fashionable because, in addition to strength, it does not have key advantages over a tempered glass (see below) but costs significantly more.

— Tempered glass. The material used in gas-on-glass cooking hobs. it is used to make a surface over which gas burners are located. Such models have an original appearance, and the glass itself is scratch-resistant and can be cleaned well. Its strength and resistance to heat are much lower than that of glass ceramics (in fact, the latter has become the reason that tempered glass is not used in electric hobs), but these moments are more than offset by low cost.

— Cast iron. An original variant found in some premium gas models. The working surface, in this case, is made of the same cast iron as the burner grates, and the grates themselves are protrusions on the cast iron surface. It gives the entire structure an unusual, very strict appearance. And it increases its reliability: the design of the burner grates is such that they will not bend even under the heaviest dishes. On the other hand, cleaning such a surface can be quite laborious, and this option is not cheap. Because of this, there are only a few models with cast-iron surfaces on the market.

The number of Hi-Light burners in the design of the hob.

Hi-Light is an electric heater designed to eliminate the main disadvantages of solid plate burners (see above). Instead of a heating element, the “hi-lights” use a thin metal tape, and instead of a metal disc, glass-ceramic is used (see “Hob material”). Due to this, heaters of this type heat up and cool down noticeably faster than classic solid plate burners (although they are much more expensive).

— Auto ignition. An ignition system for gas burners built right into the hob. Most often, auto ignition uses an electric spark, and the device needs to be connected to the mains, even if all the burners on the surface are gas. On the other hand, this function greatly simplifies ignition, eliminating the need for matches, lighters and other sources of the open flame. It is worth saying that auto-ignition systems can work in different ways: in some models, the ignition is triggered immediately when the handle that opens the gas is turned; in others, you need to press a separate button for this.

— Gas control. A safety system that automatically cuts off the gas supply if the flame is accidentally doused. It consists of two main elements: thermocouples and gas blocking devices. When the flame goes out, the thermocouple sends a signal to the blocking device, which shuts off the gas supply, preventing it from leaking.

— Temperature probe. A device for measuring the temperature of a dish and determining the degree of its readiness. Such measurements can be carried out both on the surface and in the depth of the product. The core temperature probes usually communicate wirelessly with the hob. Relying on the indicators measured by the temperature probe, the panel automatically regulates the heating or maintains the required water temperature. Also, the temperature pro...be will be useful when cooking dishes using the sous-vide method.

— Auto switch-off. A system that allows you to automatically turn off the heating if necessary. The principle of operation of the auto switch-off can be different: in some models, it works according to a timer set by the user (see below); in others — when the burner reaches a critical temperature or if the heater has been working for a long time without user intervention. However, this function makes the usage of the hob more convenient and even safer. Note that in gas burners, auto switch-off is rarely found for technical reasons.

— Timer. A device that counts a certain time (set by the user) and gives a signal at the end of the countdown. In addition, the timer can also provide an automatic heating shutdown (see above). The types of timers could be different — from the simplest mechanical knobs to electronic units with displays. The first option is cheaper, but the accuracy is low; electronic devices are more expensive but more accurate and convenient. Anyway, the presence of a timer can significantly simplify the life of the user, relieving him of the need to keep track of time on his own.

— Pause mode. The ability to pause all working burners with one click of the button and then resume their work by pressing the same button. In the pause mode, the burners are turned off and heating continues only due to the residual heat. And when the pause is turned off, all previously set work settings are returned — power, timer countdown, etc. This feature can come in handy when you need to leave the kitchen for a while, and you are not sure how long the absence will last. Note that the pause mode usually has a time limit of several minutes, after which the surface is completely turned off.

— Child lock. The ability to lock the control panel of the device so that turning the knobs and pressing the buttons does not affect its mode of operation (often when the lock is turned on, the knobs are generally fixed). This function is useful primarily as protection against children: a curious baby will not be able to turn on the hob or change its mode of operation at its discretion. The blocking is usually removed in such a way that an adult can do it, but not a child — for example, by pressing the buttons in a certain order.

— Residual heat indicator. The indicator that shows the hotplate is still hot. Usually, it reacts to heating from 50 °C and above. The main function of such an indicator is to prevent burns from touching a burner that has not yet cooled down. It can also be used when turning on the burner — to determine whether it has heated up or not. This feature is especially relevant for solid plate burners (see above), although it can also be useful for Hi-Light burners.

— Built-in hood. The presence of its built-in hood in the design of the hob. Usually, the air intake is located at the level of the burners, its size is small, and the performance is low. Accordingly, a built-in hood is unlikely to be the main ventilation system in the kitchen, but at the same time, it can be a good addition to a separately installed hood. The main disadvantages of hobs with this feature are the high cost and complexity of installation.

— Hob to hood. The ability to control the kitchen hood from the hob. To do this, both devices are synchronized via one or another communication channel; the hood turns on when the burner on the hob is turned on and adjusts the power of work depending on how many burners work and at what power. It eliminates the need for the user to manually turn the hood on and off. And working parameters, usually, are selected in such a way that there is enough power even for the most difficult situations. Some models even allow you to adjust the specific performance of the hood in a given situation. However, it is worth noting that different manufacturers of kitchen appliances use different technologies for communication, differing even in the principle of operation: for example, Miele's Con@Сtivity works by radio, and Electrolux's Hob2Hood works via an infrared channel. Therefore, if you plan to use this function, you should pay special attention to the compatibility of the surface and the hood. It is recommended to choose among devices of the same manufacturer.

— Control via Internet. The ability to control the hob via the Internet. The built-in Wi-Fi module is used to connect to the network. And the control method itself may be different: in some models, you need to install a proprietary application on your smartphone or tablet; in others, it is enough to open a special page in any browser. Nevertheless, this function allows you to control the hob and monitor its status anywhere in the world where the Internet connection is available. Thus, you can, for example, leave the kettle on the burner and turn on the heating in advance on the way home so that hot water is ready by the time you return. And having gone on a long trip, you can at any time check whether you forgot to turn off the hob and, if necessary, turn it off. However, such functionality significantly affects the cost.

The material from which the grates on the gas burners of the hob are made. Electric hotplates do not require grates.

— Steel. Steel grates have a relatively low weight, good strength and at the same time — low cost. For aesthetic reasons and for additional protection they are usually covered with a special heat-resistant enamel. Contaminants are quite easily cleaned from such enamel, but it is undesirable to process it with rough methods — otherwise, chips and scratches may appear on the surface. In general, despite their general practicality, steel grates are considered less advanced than cast iron grates and are somewhat less commonly used in hobs. However, if you do not load the hob with large pots, buckets, etc., the difference is not critical, and the service life of steel grates is often comparable to the “life span” of the hob itself.

— Cast iron. Cast iron grates look more nice and massive than steel ones, and they weigh much more. It can be attributed to the advantages — in the case when the grilles can be removed: a large weight contributes to stability. In addition, such structures are strong, durable and tolerate even high loads. They cost a little more than steel ones. As a result, cast iron is a more popular material for grates than steel. It is worth noting some difficulty in cleaning from pollution; on the other hand, cast iron grates usually do not have additional coating...s, and you can not be afraid to spoil them with wire sponges or abrasive products.

General dimensions of the device in width and depth. Depth, in this case, refers to the distance from the leading edge to the trailing edge (when viewed from the user's side). Note that the external dimensions of the hobs are often larger than the dimensions for embedding (see below).

The size of the opening that needs to be made in the kitchen countertop for the normal embedding of the hob. By default, the width and depth are indicated — the size of the opening along the front and side sides, respectively (when viewed from the user's side). Note that the dimensions of the hob itself are usually larger than the dimensions for embedding: when installed in an opening, the upper part of the surface rests on its edges, so that the device does not fall into the countertop.