Gas stove or hob - which is better to choose and what experienced housewives advise reviews

When setting up a kitchen from scratch, you have to solve many issues. Among other things, it may be necessary to decide on a choice - to install a hob or a gas stove; homeowners do not always understand which is better. In this case, it will be useful to study the characteristics of both devices and reviews of their performance.

What is a gas stove

Once upon a time, these devices were unrivaled, surpassing in popularity stoves powered by electricity. Gas has been and remains a cheap type of fuel, and it is profitable to use it as a fuel. The gas stove is extremely simple. There are 4 burners on its horizontal surface, and there is an oven in the lower part. The volume of incoming gas is regulated using the control panel located on the front wall of the stove.

To ensure that the flame is distributed evenly, the burners are equipped with dividers. The oven works on the same principle. A typical gas stove is a floor-mounted design. The device has certain requirements for the installation site; it is necessary to regularly clean the gas equipment.Ignition can be manual or automatic.

In manual mode, matches and piezo lighters are used to ignite the gas. The built-in ignition also works using a piezoelectric element (sometimes using electricity). Modern stove models are additionally equipped with:

• gas control system;
• thermostat;
• electronic programmer.

The number of burners in the stove can be from 2 to 6 pieces. Thermally resistant, durable metals are used as materials for the manufacture of plate parts. The outer surface is covered with enamel. Stainless steel plates are also available. Gas appliances are equipped with atmospheric burners, allowing the gas to burn completely, without releasing harmful combustion products.

The gas control function is ensured by the operation of an electromagnetic valve and a thermocouple located inside the burner. The principle of their interaction is such that when the flame extinguishes, the thermocouple stops producing current, the solenoid valve closes, interrupting the gas supply.

Any housewife can handle operating a gas stove. Even the simplest model makes it possible to cook, fry, stew, and bake any food. The latest generation models have burners with 2-3 adjustable flame rings. Due to this, you can choose a cooking mode for a specific dish. This innovation will be appreciated by experienced cooks.

What is a hob

A hob is a version of a miniature kitchen stove built into the countertop. This placement allows you to save space in the kitchen. The hob can be connected to the oven and have common controls with it, or it can be located and controlled independently. There are several options for hobs:

• gas – connect to the gas pipeline;
• electric – work from the mains;
• combined - two burners in them are powered by gas, and the other two by electricity.

The number of burners on the hob is from 2 to 7 pieces. They can be made from various materials. The surface of the panel is made of glass ceramics, stainless steel or covered with enamel. The device is convenient because it can be placed in any corner of the kitchen area. The hob does not take up much space.

For the normal operation of the device, its correct installation is important, which is best left to specialists. Typically, a hob is chosen if an oven is not needed or if you plan to install a separate oven. Expensive models are additionally equipped with:

• timers;
• stopwatches;
• protection from children;
• residual heat indicator;
• automatic cooking mode for various dishes.

An induction hob runs on electricity. The principle of its operation is based on the use of inductance coils. When alternating current is supplied, an electromagnetic field arises, and vortex flows appear in the dishes standing on the panel, which will heat the walls of the frying pan or pan.

For such a panel, special dishes are selected, made of a material with magnetic properties. Pots and pans for an induction panel must be made of cast iron or stainless steel and must have a thick bottom.

Gas-powered models are most often controlled using rotary switches mechanically. For safety reasons, manufacturers recess the turntables into the housing. Electric and induction cookers are controlled using sensors.Typically, touch buttons are located closer to the edge of the tabletop in the center of the panel or in its right corner.

What is the difference?

A gas stove is a full-size kitchen stove used for preparing a variety of dishes. In this appliance, the top panel with burners is combined with an oven located under the panel. The stove occupies a large amount of usable space, since it can only be placed on the floor.

The hob is compact in size and is usually built into the countertop. This type of equipment can be installed independently, or it can be connected to an oven and have a common control panel with it. In addition, hobs operate not only on gas, but also on electricity. There are also combined models.

A separate row are induction electric panels, which use a completely different heating principle.

comparison table

The comparison table clearly presents the main characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of a gas stove and hob. Having familiarized yourself with them, it will be easier for the buyer to make a choice.

The price for both types of equipment depends on the manufacturer’s brand, the number of burners, and the presence of additional functions. On sale you can find models whose cost reaches several tens of thousands of rubles.

Pros and cons of a gas stove

A gas stove is a very easy-to-use device that has a considerable number of advantages. Main advantages:

• the ability to not only fry, boil, stew, but also bake food in the oven;
• efficiency - gas consumption does not lead to an increase in utility bills;
• The device will allow you to cook food even during a power outage;
• Cooking occurs quickly due to accelerated heating.

Disadvantages include the inability to accurately regulate the temperature, the appearance of soot on the dishes due to an open fire, an increased risk of an explosion, and the need for regular monitoring of the operation of the equipment by the gas service.

Reviews on the performance of gas stoves

Marianna S., Vladikavkaz:

“We recently replaced the gas stove. We chose “GEFEST 3200-06 K85” from a Belarusian manufacturer.We chose the model because of its reasonable price; it cost 11,600 rubles. The stove is easy to use. There is electric ignition. The oven is equipped with lighting. The body and hob are covered with white enamel. A good-quality stove for reasonable money; no shortcomings were found during use.”

Sergey I., St. Petersburg:

“I bought a gas stove “DARINA 1AS GM521 001 W” for my mother. We were looking for a simple device that would be easy for an elderly person to use. The kit additionally includes nozzles for liquefied gas, allowing you to use the stove in the country by connecting a cylinder to it. Dimensions are compact, cooking modes are standard. Baking in the oven does not burn. This model does not have electric ignition, but for such money (9,450 rubles) there cannot be any additional functions. I recommend this model to those for whom it is important that the stove is inexpensive and takes up little space.”

Marat E., Samara:

“When purchasing a gas stove, the task was to choose an appliance from a well-known brand at an affordable price. As a result, we purchased the “Hansa FCGW51001” model for 13,000 rubles. I’ll say right away that I later regretted my decision to save money. The stove turned out to have flimsy turntables; instead of cast iron, it came with a steel grate. The oven does not have a light or thermometer. The manufacturer has not equipped the appliance with thermal insulation; as a result, the entire kitchen heats up while the oven is operating. A friend has a stove of the same brand, but twice as expensive, and he is completely satisfied.”

Pros and cons of the hob

Hobs are in demand and popular today, thanks to their modern design and compact size. The advantages of the equipment include:

• choice of power type – gas, electric, combined;
• Possibility of integration into kitchen furniture;
• high power burners;
• convenient control using sensors.

However, such models have a number of disadvantages. A hob costs a lot of money and must be installed by a qualified specialist. Such equipment must be used together with a hood. Due to the lack of ventilation, nearby furniture will become very hot. The panel itself can deteriorate due to overheating. It should be taken into account that one burner can withstand a weight of no more than 6 kg, so it is unlikely that it will be possible to heat a bucket or tank of water. Induction models require the use of special cookware.

Reviews on the operation of hobs

Elena M., Novosibirsk:

“After renovating the kitchen, we decided to purchase a hob, since at the same time we were changing the furniture set. We chose the Weissgauff HV 32 B model for 6,500 rubles. The coating is made of glass ceramics. The panel has 2 working burners. There is protection against children. The device is controlled using sensors. Additional functions include a timer and residual heat indicator. For the money this is an excellent purchase. I really liked the design and convenient controls.”

Maxim A., Izhevsk:

“My wife asked for a built-in hob as a gift for March 8th. At her request, I purchased a gas model “Hansa BHGI631301” for 12,600 rubles. We have been using this purchase for several months now. During this time, the design, functionality and quality were assessed and no shortcomings were found. My wife says this panel is perfection. The model is made of stainless steel, so it will fit any set. The panel is equipped with four burners. There is electric ignition and gas control. During our use, the kitchen assistant has never let us down and looks like new.”

Sergey N., Orekhovo-Zuevo:

“We needed a small hob because the standard one didn’t fit. As a result, we chose “LEX GVG 430 BL” at a price of just over 11,000 rubles. I did the installation myself and didn’t find anything difficult about it. This model has 3 burners, which is enough for a family of two. It is very easy to care for, just wipe with a damp cloth and then wipe dry. There are no streaks left on the glass. The model is equipped with cast iron grates, electric ignition and gas control. Controlled by rotary switches. The panel is suitable for main and bottled gas; it can also be chosen for a summer residence.”

What is better to choose

When making a choice between a full-featured gas stove and a hob, you need to build on your preferences and available capabilities. In this case, you should take into account the size of the kitchen and its layout, and how often you have to cook. The dimensions of the device, ease of installation and type of power supply are also taken into account. For many, the cost of equipment plays an important role.

A gas stove with a built-in oven will be an ideal purchase for a large family where they cook a lot. The hob is suitable for those who live alone or spend little time at home, preferring to have lunch and dinner elsewhere. Many people purchase compact hobs for their summer cottages, connecting them to an electricity source or to a gas cylinder. This option is suitable for a modern kitchen with a stylish design. The hob is indispensable in a small area, as it takes up little space.

For those who are on a budget, it is better to choose a simple gas stove model. Such equipment works for years without breaking down.If you purchase an inexpensive hob, it can quickly fail, and manufacturing defects in this case are not a rare occurrence.

For a family of 4-5 people, a standard stove with 4 burners is quite enough. If you often need to cook something quickly, it is better to choose a model where one burner is larger than the others, due to which it has significant thermal power. This burner will heat up water in a pan or boil a kettle faster.

When choosing a kitchen stove, buyers are guided by different criteria. For some, design is more important, for others - functionality, and still others choose the model with the lowest price. However, excessive savings may cost more in the end when, after a couple of years of use, the device breaks down and requires expensive repairs or replacement. That is why, when choosing a gas stove or hob, first of all, you should pay attention to their characteristics and ease of use. The price of expensive equipment will pay off over time.