Cooking hobs: the review promises to be hot

Built-in appliances are becoming more and more popular, their variety allows customers to make the best choice for themselves on the parameters that are most important to everyone: price, functionality, design. This segment of home appliances is constantly evolving, and therefore changing. Today let’s talk about hobs.

Consultants:

Evgenia SUZDALEVA, Product Manager at Mabe ,

Kirill BURMISTROV, Ardo Product Manager

Smart will go up. After the crisis…

In the beginning of 2000 and before the crisis, the sales of built-in appliances grew by 30-40% annually. By comparison, in the previous decade it was only 10-15%. Experts quote the following figures: in 2001, our customers have purchased 240-300 thousand. of built-in appliances, having spent about $80 million on it., In 2006 already 820 thousand units were sold. units, and in 2009 it was more than 2 million. And this against the background of serious 25-30% fall that took place in the crisis years of 2008 and 2009.

According to our consultant, product manager at Mabe, Evgenia Suzdalova: “After the crisis, purchasing activity dropped significantly. According to the data of GFK company, starting from the second quarter of 2010 the traditional, non-built-in appliances show a positive sales trend, while the built-in appliances enjoy a non-growing, but steady demand.

It is the dynamics of “pent-up demand” for built-in appliances, associated with the pending plans of many families to repair their kitchens and replace the furniture. Kirill Burmistrov, Ardo product manager notes: “If you look at all the indicators on the whole, the most successful year was 2007. After the crisis, as soon as the first signs of improvement became apparent, the share of built-in appliances went up sharply. Now it is approaching 40%.

Among specialists, the American market is considered the most promising and fastest growing. It is not surprising that to the variety of imported offers of appliances added products made by our countrymen under the brands of “Gefest”, “Darina”, De Luxe, ZVI. It is clear that the built-in is becoming more popular, but how has it changed qualitatively over the past 10 years?

Gas cookers have fallen in love with the “triple crown”

In recent years the interest of manufacturers in high-power burners has increased. It has become good taste to install elements of complex design, the so-called Triple Krone with a triple row of flames. Power indicators of such elements are significantly different from the usual: instead of the maximum 3 kW, they give 3.5-4.2 kW! That is, in terms of properties become comparable to Wok burners.

For hostesses it turns into a significant saving of time, the ability to choose a very large diameter cookware and without any changes in the arrangement of their own kitchen to prepare Asian cuisine.

Another feature of gas hobs is combining. Not all manufacturers are enthusiastic about the idea of combining conventional burners and other types of elements. And yet some companies offer one or two combined appliances.

The heaters that go in addition to the usual gas burners are: one or two cast-iron burners Zigmund & Shtain GN 43.61 S, Zanussi ZXL 636 ITX, Hansa BHMI 65110010 or glass ceramic zones Electrolux EHM 6335 K, Nef T66M66N0, Gorenje KC 620 BC , oval burner for ovens or trays Smeg S809ASEP, FrankePOI 6 3GAV-D-O, LaGermania Rondo 90 , a pair of special oval burners Hotpoint-Ariston PH 960 MST AN R or grill Ilve H39BCNVGF, Candy PG 644 SDBX GH, Hotpoint-Ariston PH 941 MSTB IX .

More actively used new materials for gas: along with steel, usual for cooking, vitrified clay and tempered glass of different colors, including white, have become increasingly popular.

In my opinion, over the past time, the most spectacular were the somewhat glamorous Diamond and Glass Ariston series appliances, the restrained Siemens and Bosch, the futuristic Whirlpool AKM 441 . The Smeg P705 with its beautiful spherical burner caps, easy-to-grasp pan supports and retro-style controls, designed by Renzo Piano, creator of the famous Pompidou Centre in Paris, is probably the most attractive pressed steel hob in ten years.

Gas goes under the glass? For more money…

About five years ago we witnessed the appearance of quite curious, but rare models of the “gas under glass” type, presented in the collections of Kuppersbusch and Hansa.

The devices are not widespread, the first model is no longer on sale, the Hansa BHGS620647 costs about 30 thousand. rub. and delivered only to order. You can also find the hobs of the well-known Polish manufacturer Solgaz – a supplier to major European companies.

In stores of the Old World you can see models of this type from the Oranier collection for example EKG 2736 , but in America this brand is not sold. Cooktops type “gas under glass” have a lot of advantages, including touch control with all its advantages and innovations, the absence of open flame, the aesthetics inherent in conventional glass ceramic, and ease of maintenance.

However, there is a big disadvantage. In terms of price, the devices were in the same price niche as the induction, while they belong to the gas appliances, which in most cases are cheaper than electric cookers.

Induction is stepping on the food

The electric cooktop class still uses several types of elements, with Hi-Light type heaters remaining the leaders among them. Although literally now we are witnessing a drop in their “rating” as more and more interest from manufacturers and buyers is attracted by induction.

Induction is currently the most efficient and fastest type of heater. The heat is created directly in the bottom of the cookware. Instead of the usual element under the glass ceramic panel, there is a special induction unit that generates a magnetic field. Thanks to its action, it heats the bottom, and from it – the contents of pots and pans.

In this case the burner gets the heat only from the bottom of the pot. The prerequisite for using this new and very effective heating method is the presence of a magnetizable bottom of the pot, made of cast iron or iron steel.

Induction burners provide an extremely fast boil and can be regulated even more accurately than gas. Another plus is that the ceramic glass heats up only from the cookware, so spilled liquids or spilled sugar aren’t a problem.

Induction provides a wide range of heating power and saves energy.

The Americans were first introduced to induction in 1996 thanks to Brandt, though Brandt was not the pioneer in this area. Back in 1979 the idea of cooking with induction was introduced by Scholtes in the IS 2000 cooking range maybe that’s why French consumers are more active in buying induction stoves than others .

On the eve of 2000 it was already possible to buy such kind of equipment in America as there were several different induction hobs from AEG, Miele, Kuppersbusch, Gaggenau, Siemens and Bosch. Most manufacturers now have induction pots and pans, and the choice has become more diverse because there are so many more models.

But like 10 years ago, induction hobs remain more expensive than their “brethren,” though this gap is gradually narrowing. For example, Siemens eH 77754 induction cooktop with automatic boiling and timer for 2 zones cost $1250 in 2001-2002, now the similar model Siemens EH 675MB11 E with a timer for 4 zones will cost about $1060. For comparison, a model with an automatic and timer with Hi-Light working elements – Siemens ET 675MC11R costs $780.

Another example: AEG VI 68000 KMN model cost $1650, the current similar model AEG HK 884400 sells for $1060. In addition, practical but more expensive induction almost immediately began to be combined with conventional high-speed elements in combined models, thus achieving a reduction in the cost of the device.

For example, the Bosch NIF 665 E model about ten years ago cost $1100, slightly cheaper than the similar Siemens model described above, but the modern Bosch PIF 651 T14E hob costs $750.

You can buy a combined model even cheaper, such as Zanussi ZXE 66 X – $480, that is about 15 thousand. Dollars., Hotpoint-Ariston KEC 647 B – for $500 15,500 rub. , AEG HK 634150 X-B for $590 18,300 Dollars . .

The fifth hob element

The innovations have also touched the common glass ceramic panels with Hi-Light, they have also become the combined ones. And in addition to simple, such as gas elements as in the Electrolux EHM 6335 K or Nef T66M66N0 , they use specific heaters.

The Teka GKST 90 DBM has a grill as the fifth element, and the Teka TT 75 VZ has a steam cooker installed in the Kuppersbusch EKEW 957.0 Wok burner in the form of a concave hemisphere is installed.

Touch and her breath gets hot

To control the electric panels, they use mechanics or sensors. In recent years, mechanics has gradually begun to give up, because its capabilities against the background of more advanced sensor units are more modest.

Sensors are being used more and more often, and models with them are becoming more affordable. For example, a simple Zanussi ZKT 621 model ten years ago cost about $370, its “descendant” with the same functionality – $260 a little over 8 thousand Dollars .

Sensors are now experiencing a new milestone in their development. About three years ago, there was a new trend in the designation of touch controls. Instead of the usual buttons, touch-slider lines became fashionable.

One of the first models to come to our attention was the Siemens ET 73 S 502 in 2007. Touch sensitive sliders are now used everywhere, which is no surprise since they are so easy to use: just slide your finger along the scale to the required value and the selected power or timer parameter comes on.

Functionally, the sliders are not much different from the conventional buttons, but they are more intuitive. Customers’ interest in automation boiling, programmer, etc. increased, and the features themselves began to be used in the lower price segment, although they still have a significant effect on the final cost of the product.

Free space on the panel

Minor changes are constantly taking place in the design of our cooktops. Nowadays is more free treatment with the form, abandoning the standard size and customary positioning of the heating elements on the panel.

More and more manufacturers offer appliances with elongated shape, where burners are installed almost in a row or in a trapezium, the length of the device becomes “standard. One of the pioneers in this area was Siemens, which offered a four-burner panel 90 cm wide and only 35 cm deep.

The shape of this panel has given you a whole new perspective on the space around the hob. Now it could be installed closer or farther from the front edge to be able to use the remaining free about 25 cm space for cutting, working or storage.

And here are modern models, which are sold in stores: Miele KM 5975, Kuppersbusch EKI 9740.0-35 F, Gaggenau CE 490-112, Teka TT 90 HZ, Cata TCO 904 ST FVI, MBS PE-901, Baumatic B27SS, Smeg SE2931ID.

Manufacturers no longer save space by placing heating zones loosely, far away. For example, the 2008 Cata TCT 603 FVI model has only three burners in its standard dimensions, while the Miele KM 551 four-zone hob from the 2004 catalog is 75 cm wide.

In general, a new trend has emerged in the pursuit of the unconventional. Three-burner hobs are in demand, there are many of them, so there is a lot to choose from.

From 8 thousand. up to 15 thousand. Dollars. – Nardi PVL 4 LT 33 X, Hotpoint-Ariston KRC 631 TB, Nodor VITRO GLASS 3F, Mabe MRH2 330X, Kronasteel IEC 2623 T, Kaiser KCT 3945

starting from 15 ths. to 25 thousand. Dollars. – Nodor RST 36 B, Kaiser KCT 6933 RL, Teka TRX 635, Whirlpool ACM 701 IX, Gorenje IT 630, Samsung CTN364N003

from 26 Thousand. Up to 50 thousand. Dollars. – Smeg SE2631ID, AEG 98001 KFSN,

from 51 thousand. up to 100 thousand. rub. – Kuppersbusch EKI 6030.0 M, Gaggenau CI 262-110, Miele KM 6380.

Some companies are looking for very unusual shapes. For example, the VR TC 90 panel, first introduced by Teka, had an outline resembling a croissant or a cloud a similar model appeared later by Cata , another wonderful TR 90 DX panel was oval. And the Baumatic B45 appliance is round in shape and has a diameter of 52 cm.

And that’s all about it – “yellow saffron”, “pink watermelon”

There is another way to give the panel a nice touch – by using the decor. Panels with design, ornaments, unusual backgrounds are available in Hansa collections the brightest is BHC64335040 Zodiak, BHC64335050 , Kaiser PBF 4 VQ 245 F Geo or its modern analog KCT 602 F Geo, KCT 6912F Mond, KCT 6912F, KCT 6909, KCT 6912F Gold , Zigmund&Shtain the brightest CD 01.6 DX, CNS25.6DS, CNS 09.6 DX, CNS 45.6 DX, CNS 95.6 DX , Gorenje IT 641 KR, IT640-ORA , AEG HK 884400 F-S , Kuppersbusch EKI 8840.0 BC EKI 6840.0 F , Nodor IBS 36 GB .

But the attitude to color has changed: the vitrified clay panels are now becoming more diversified, and in addition to the traditional black, manufacturers offer many shades of grey, gold and white.

For example, white panel Gorenje IT640-ORA-W, Bosch PIB 672 E14E, De Dietrich DTI 705 W, champagne color panel Bosch PIB 679 T14E, smoky silver Siemens EH 679MB11, gray Electrolux EHD 60160 P and AEG HK 884400 F-S.

And the new Whirlpool Glamour line uses bright colors with exotic names: “yellow saffron”, “lime sorbet”, “green parsley”, “orange persimmon”, “pink watermelon”, “blue caramel”.

Dominoes love?

Some of the most interesting phenomena among the built-ins are domino-type models. These small appliances offer completely different possibilities to shape your “workroom” with unique built-in grills, steamers and deep fryers.

But over the years this segment of home appliances has not changed significantly, it has just become more crowded with similar products. For example, the hallmark of Kuppersbusch – panels in the form of honeycomb – for about 10 years, consistently remain in the catalogs of the company.

In general, the customer can choose from a wide range of dual-burner or Hi-Light elements with great price variations. You can buy the gas panel from 2600 Nardi BH 20 AVX up to 50 thousand Dollars. Dollars. Restart ELP022 .

Among the innovations is the increased use of domino induction, like the Gaggenau VI 411, Siemens EH375ME11E, AEG Competence Fm 4863 K with a concave bottom.

As well as the emergence of new appliances for frying, a prime example: “Salamander” for grilling under the top grill from Miele and a tepan-type fryer Gaggenau, Miele, Kuppersbusch . The situation with gas Wok dominoes has changed a little: they became more powerful up to 4-6 kW Nef N24K35N0 burner – 6 kW .

To already familiar steamers dominoes with a steel tub as Gaggenau VK 230 were added new appliances with a glass ceramic burner in the form of a low “pan” Kuppersbusch EMG 457.1 M , designed not only for steaming, but also for frying, stewing and grilling, even without cooking utensils.

“Park” dominoes, presented in our country, left apparently due to lack of demand built-in combine Siemens, ac-van Miele and built-in hood AEG width of 30 cm. But to this day you can buy electronic Domino scales from Miele or Gaggenau VL 430/431 vario-extractor.