Comparison Gunter&Hauer EOK 4502 vs Samsung NQ50H5533KS

The type of control panel installed in the oven. To date, there are such options:

— Rotary knobsswitches. Controls based on classic rotary knobs, known to many users for other types of kitchen appliances — primarily classic cookers. This type of control can be found in both low-cost and advanced models: the specifics of the operation of ovens are such that many functions (both basic and additional) are conveniently controlled with rotary knobs and the simplest mechanical controls, and a complex electronic circuits. However, rotary knobs in their pure form are not used very often today — much more often they are combined with buttons or touch controls (see below).

— Push-buttons. Push-button controls are typical of the electronic type and use complex control circuits, making this type of control suitable for models with a wide range of additional features. However, pure push-button controls, without rotary knobs, are very rare in ovens. On the one hand, for some functions, such controls are less convenient than rotary knobs; on the other hand, they are rather unusual for ovens, which can cause additional discomfort for the user.

— Touch controls. They are in many ways similar to push-buttons (see above). The main difference between touch controls and buttons is that the touch controls respond to touch, not to press. Thanks to this, using such pane...ls is much easier. In addition, the touch sensors give the device a stylish look and are easy to clean because they do not have protruding parts. Such controls in their pure form, not combined with rotary knobs, are also quite rare. However, for several reasons, there are still much more touch controls models than push-button ones.

— Rotary knobs with push-buttons. Control panels equipped with both rotary knobs and buttons. See above for more details on both. Here we note that the combination of two types of control allows not only to combine their advantages but also provides additional convenience: some functions of the oven can be tied to rotary knobs, others to buttons, linking each function with the type of control that is optimal for it. Due to this, this option is the most common today.

— Rotary knobs with touch controls. Combined control with rotary knobs and touch controls (see above for more on both). Like the “rotary knobs with push-buttons” option (also described above), it is very convenient because each function of the oven is tied to the type of control that is optimal for it — either to the rotary knob or to the touch controls. This option is much less common, but this is not due to inconvenience but primarily to the high cost of touch controls compared to push-buttons. Accordingly, it is used mainly in models of the middle and top classes.

— Pop out knobs. A variation of the rotary knobs described above, in which the knobs can be recessed into the control panel. Usually, pop out knobs are designed to stay outside only during the direct setting of the operating mode, and for the time when the oven is not in use or works in one mode, they can be hidden. It gives the unit a neat appearance, reduces the places where dirt can accumulate and makes the front panel easier to clean. Unlike rotary knobs, pop out knobs are mainly used in electrical models.

— Pop out knobs with push-buttons. Controls combining Pop out knobs with push-buttons. Both of these types of controls are described above, and in itself, this option is almost the same as a combination of buttons with rotary knobs (also see above).

— Pop out knobs with touch controls. A variant, by the name, combines pop out knobs and touch controls. Each of these types of control is described separately above, and their combination is almost no different from the combination of rotary knobs with touch controls (also see above). Except with the correction that recessed knobs keep the number of protruding elements on the control panel to an absolute minimum.

The working capacity of the oven. The amount of food that can be cooked in the device and the amount of space required for embedding depends on this parameter.

A capacity of about 50 – 60 litres is considered quite sufficient for a family of 2 – 3 people. It is the capacity that most modern built-in ovens have. However, there are other options — modest models of 20 – 30 litres, similar in capacity to microwave ovens, large in capacity for home baking and large cabinets of 100 litres or more, designed more for cafes and restaurants than for home use.

The cooking temperature range allows you to understand which special tasks are subject to the oven. The lower temperature from which the oven starts heating, usually, is in the range of +30 to +50 ˚C. So, for example, the minimum heating temperature at +30 ˚C allows you to defrost products. Models with a minimum of 40 ˚C and 50 ˚C allow you to heat ready meals, heat tableware (before serving), dry crackers, etc.

The number of preinstalled cooking programmes stored in the oven's memory — usually designed for a specific dish or just a defrost mode. If you have the appropriate programme, you do not have to keep track of the time, manually change the temperature and rearrange the dish in the oven — just put the ingredients there and start the programme, and the device will do the rest on its own. At the same time, unlike individual cooking modes (see above), the programmes are more complex — they provide changing temperatures, turning on special modes, turning off when time has elapsed, etc. The larger the set of automatic programmes, the wider the possibilities of the oven; their number in modern models can be in the tens. On the other hand, such programmes cannot be changed at will, so if you need both creativity and maximum convenience, you should pay attention to models with the ability to record custom programme in memory.

The presence of an automatic door closer in the design of the oven.

Such a device is responsible for pulling the door when closing, and in some models, when opening. The idea is that the user does not need to close/open the door completely — just pull it to the right place, and then the door will be smoothly brought to a fully open or closed state by the door closer. Such a system performs two functions. Firstly, it reduces to almost zero the risk of leaving the oven not completely closed (which is fraught with various unpleasant situations): the auto-closer is usually able to attract even a fairly wide open door. Secondly, such a device provides a very smooth opening and closing, without shock, which has a positive effect on the service life of the entire oven.

The electrical power consumed by the oven during operation, in other words, the power that must be supplied to the oven so that it can work normally. This parameter determines not only the total energy consumption (and, accordingly, the amount of electricity bills) but also the specifics of the power supply: with a power consumption of several kilowatts, a conventional outlet may not be suitable, and the wiring must be quite reliable.

Note that it is customary to indicate the connection power only for electric models (see "Oven"), as well as for gas devices with electric grills.

In the case of ovens, the dimensions determine not only the sizes, but also the conditional form factor and the possibility of installing models. Dividing by height, the devices can be compact(low) for installation in hanging cabinets and full-sized — classic ovens for installation under the countertop. As for the width, in addition to standard models of 60 cm, there are narrow (45 cm) and wide (90 cm) models to interact with similar wide hobs.

The country in which, according to the manufacturer, this or that model is manufactured. Even though most of the capacities are concentrated in China, European factories for the production of household appliances have not disappeared. And certain models can be produced on them. In general, such a division into a Chinese or European factory ( Germany, Italy, Poland, Turkey) should not particularly affect the quality of products, but still the stereotype of a reliable European assembly is present in us. However, it is possible that the model may have a country of manufacture, for example, Poland, and in the store under the same article, you will meet China.