Slabs with a glass-ceramic surface are gaining popularity due to the aesthetic appearance. On the one hand, this technique simplifies cooking, and on the other, it requires more care. For example, if you do not seriously approach the choice of dishes, you can quickly spoil the kitchen utensils and the stove itself.
Features of glass ceramic plate
Aesthetics appearance is often crucial for the buyer electric. Few people think about the technical features of the devices. At the heart of the ceramic hob - a special material ceran, which has high strength. Halogen rings are made from a special alloy under the ceramic panel, they are arranged in a snake.
The principle of operation of the elements is similar to conventional cast iron hobs, but elements differ in high-speed heating, and still quickly cool down. This feature is distinguished in the advantage of glass ceramics. The thermal conductivity of a ceran is better, compared to cast iron, wear resistance is also good.
In terms of economy, this household appliances are more energy efficient.
Modern models are equipped with touch controls, which simplifies the cooking process. Various functions are regulated by system sensors:
- for temperature conditions;
- for protection against burns;
- for protection from children;
- to reduce boiling (infrared sensor);
- to reduce cooking time (quick heat sensor).
The disadvantages of glass ceramics include:
- strict requirements for used utensils;
- the need to use special detergents;
- sensitivity to shock with heavy sharp objects;
- high cost;
- possibility of breakage due to temperature differences on the surface.
The advantages of household appliances include:
- easy care;
- the ability to adjust the heating area;
- stylish and sophisticated appearance;
- profitability of operation, since the burners do not require replacement.
Modern household appliances contribute to the improvement of the process of cooking even the most complex dishes. But without special utensils with the icon does not achieve savings, and therefore maximum heat transfer. The benefits of purchasing the device will tend to zero.
Utensils that can be used
Ware for glass ceramics is often recommended to choose depending on the type of installed heating element. For household appliances with a coil installed suitable heat-resistant utensils with a flat bottom, no scratches. There is a ban on the use of copper and aluminum utensils, heat resistant glass is not recommended. If the stove is equipped with induction elements, you need to choose a special dish with a magnetic bottom.
To simplify the task of choosing suitable utensils, modern models are equipped with a special sensor that reports the correctness of the choice.
For modern models, the size of dishes is becoming less and less important. Dual-circuit burners are adjusted to the desired heating diameter. Recently, models with unusual shapes of hobs, for example, for oval utensils, have appeared.
The material used to make cookware for a glass ceramic plate is still important. For example, stainless steel pots are suitable for glass ceramics with conventional hobs. You can purchase a set with a special designation, in the process of cooking to pick up products from the set that will match the diameter of the burner.
The ware from a stainless steel wearproof, strong, long serves. On sale there are sets of various forms, but they do not differ in a variety of color design. The main advantage of this type of product is easy maintenance.
Aluminum cookware good thermal conductivity, so for a glass surface with ordinary burners, it is also suitable. The main disadvantage of such pots is the absence of a perfectly even bottom and quickly emerging scratches. Damaged dishes adversely affect the capabilities of the plate itself. On a glass-ceramic surface, such dishes easily deform and quickly become unusable.
Without careful care, such utensils are vulnerable.
Enamelware It has a good appearance, you can still pick it up to the style of the kitchen. The main criterion is the same - ideally even bottom, no chips. Enamel is damaged most quickly, and it is no longer possible to use damaged items. More robust will be items reinforced with Teflon or ceramic coating. The material has good thermal conductivity, products can be used for a long time in everyday life.
A good option would be a steel bottom.
Flat-bottom cast-iron cookware is also suitable for glass ceramics. For example, a cast iron pan with a flat bottom as possible will have thick walls. In such dishes the heat is kept longer, the food is cooked more efficiently.
The main requirement for glassware is a perfectly flat bottom, preferably of a multilayer type.
Heat resistant glass has a number of drawbacks, therefore not recommended as an ideal option for glass ceramics. One of the weighty arguments is the loss of thermal conductivity.
For example, on the top and bottom it may be stainless steel, and in the middle - aluminum. "Sandwich" stainless steel bottom warms up faster than usual. Stainless steel has not very good thermal conductivity. Added materials must be firmly connected, so pay attention to the quality of products. In uneven places connecting the seam quickly formed carbon. Check the bottom of the available dishes with an ordinary magnet.
Any magnetic alloys are suitable for induction burners.
What can not be used?
The main selection criterion: dishes for glass-ceramic should be as close as possible to the surface of the plate. If there is an air gap between the dishes and the surface, the heating will be slow and the cooking time will be long. If you put the dishes with the missing magnetic properties on the induction cooker, you can not wait for heating at all. Items with sensors will not turn on.
After the glass-ceramic stove has appeared in the kitchen, it is recommended to conduct a full audit of the available utensils. Some items may not be suitable for use on new household appliances.
Even if pots and pans are strong enough, chipping and roughness on them will negatively affect the glass-ceramic surface. There will be scratches on the panel that you can’t remove or disguise. Therefore, special requirements are placed on the dishes. It is completely useless to put products on it from:
- brass;
- glass;
- copper;
- ceramics;
- aluminum.
It is definitely not suitable for glass-ceramic products with a round bottom, for example, popular cauldrons and woks. The area of mutual contact they will have a small, so the heating will be very slow.
It is impossible to use for glass ceramics dishes that were previously used on a gas stove. The bottoms of such products will already differ in irregularities, and they will also have various stains from heating by fire. Similarly, the old cast-iron pans, patched with welding seams, do not fit.
Choosing dishes for glass ceramics, pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Possible problems
A relatively new type of panels - induction cookers. Heating dishes in them is possible with the help of eddy currents. They are formed under the action of the electromagnetic waves field.The advantages of such plates are many, but unlike panels with conventional burners, they are able to “recognize” the correct dishes.
Features of the plate associated with the principles of electromagnetic induction. Only due to eddy currents the bottom of the dishes will warm up. Heat from the heated bottom will be transferred to the products, while the surface itself remains slightly warm.
If you choose dishes that are not able to pass electromagnetic waves, the induction process will not. For example, if it is a glass or ceramic utensil, you simply can not cook in it food. But even the correct stainless steel cookware or cast iron can not fit the stove, if it does not fit the size of the hob. It is important that the dishes cover about 70% of the diameter of the heating element.
For example, a stove simply “does not see” a Turk or a small dipper.
Household appliances will not work if they “consider” that the bottom of the pot placed on it is uneven. Without a full fit, the stove will simply automatically shut off.
Now on sale there are special magnetic disks that are allowed to be used with induction hobs. You can choose different elements that are suitable for a specific heating zone. If you put this disc on the element, and then install the dishes, the stove will work with any pan or pan. Ferromagnetic disc is made of stainless steel, it is perfectly flat, thick, does not deform when used.
The method slightly reduces the efficiency of the household appliance itself, but exempts it from purchasing another set of dishes, for example, if a new one has already been purchased, but for some reason it did not fit.
For a conventional glass-ceramic stove, it is worth choosing dishes with the lowest possible percentage of bottom reflection. Due to this capacity heats up much faster, the distribution occurs smoothly. The most suitable will be models with a bottom of a dark opaque shade. Gloss is able to reflect heat rays.
If the dishes have a thin bottom, it quickly deforms, so the recommended thickness is 3 mm. You should not choose models with too thick bottom, they will heat up for a long time.
If you choose the right kitchenware for a glass-ceramic stove, you can extend the life of the device. Food will be cooked quickly, and energy consumption will be rational.
About features of ware for glass-ceramic plates look further.
