Features of induction hobs for 4 burners: technical characteristics, pros and cons

Induction hob is the best option for any kitchen.

Compared with other plates, it has a large number of advantages.

Before acquiring this type of surface, you should familiarize yourself with the principle of its functioning and the main features.

Features of induction panels

Induction panel is a type of electric stove for heat treatment of food. Since the advent of such models in stores, they have greatly excelled in matters of convenience and functionality.

The dimensions of the device depend on the number of heating zones, which can be from 1 to 7 rings. The panel may have a square or rectangular shape.

Induction panels are made in standard or custom sizes. This makes it easy to integrate them into the countertop of the kitchen cabinet, moreover, the dimensions often do not significantly affect the number of options and the level of technical equipment.

Popular Brands

The range of induction cookers that can be found in household appliances stores is noticeably smaller than, for example, electric or gas stoves. Manufacturers of such devices are not very many.

The leaders are AEG, Electrolux, BSH Hausgeräte GmbH (Bosch and Siemens), Zanussi.

The Russian company KITFORT, whose production is located in China, has already won the love and trust of customers. Such models are cheaper than their foreign counterparts, but also perform their functions efficiently.

Advantages and disadvantages

A special principle of the functioning of the induction cooker and innovative technologies are expressed in practicality and other pluses of the home appliance, among which are:

• Cost-effectiveness. These stoves use 40-50% less electricity, which does not affect the heating power. The efficiency of induction panels is at least 90%, which is considered the maximum indicator among all types of stoves.
• Safety. Since the heat is not directed to the burner, but to the container with food, the surface of the stove does not heat up.This means that the stove can not be burned. In addition, the panel only works if at least 70% of the cooking area is occupied.
• Convenience. The process of heat treatment of products takes much less time than on standard hobs. This contributes to the rapid heating of dishes.
• Practicality. Caring for the device is quite simple, since glass ceramics can withstand any mechanical stress, and because of the low surface temperature, food does not stick to it. To ensure cleanliness, you can walk along the surface of the panel with a damp cloth.
• Functionality. A variety of add-ons greatly simplify the process of operating a household appliance. You can pause its operation, set a timer, set the required temperature, etc.
• Maintain a comfortable temperature. During the operation of a gas or electric stove, the air temperature in the kitchen can increase significantly. A device with induction heating eliminates such discomfort.

The disadvantages of such a device are as follows:

• When working with an induction cooker, only special utensils (enameled, stainless steel), which is marked with a "spiral" icon. It is acceptable to use brass or copper utensils, but due to the insufficient content of magnetic substances, heating takes a little longer. Ceramic or glass kitchen utensils are not allowed. An important condition is the even and clean bottom of the dishes used.
• The electromagnetic field may have little effect on other devices in the vicinity, and people with pacemakers would rather refrain from acquiring such a technique.
• There are models whose power does not allow 3 or 4 burners to be switched on simultaneously (the power of such devices is about 4kW).
• Cooker ON able to make a little noise - This is due to the operation of the cooling system. Nevertheless, there are models in which the ventilation process is almost inaudible.

How to choose and what to pay attention to?

Before buying a suitable model, you need to take into account the features of the device, evaluate the advantages and disadvantages, as well as familiarize yourself with the model range of various cost categories, because the price quite often directly depends on the functionality of the equipment.

Switch type

The control of this household device can be mechanical, electronic or touch. The control unit is located in front of the panel. You can also find models, each heating zone of which has a separate set of touch switches.

Panel material

The surface of the plate is most often made of glass ceramics. Such a surface is shockproof and has a long service life.Damage to it is possible only with increased mechanical stress.

Panel color

The panel can be presented in black, white, gray and silver shades.

On silver, greasy spots and small chips are not so noticeable, so the surface will retain a neat appearance for a long time.

Power

The main distinguishing feature of the induction cooker is based on the type of heating element and the method of heat transfer. If in standard electric stoves there are shadows heating the burner, then induction coils are placed here.

Under the influence of electricity, they form a powerful magnetic field, due to which the dishes are heated.

Dependent or independent

The hob may be dependent or independent.

In a situation with a dependent model, it is assumed that the equipment is installed strictly together with the oven. An independent option allows the installation of the panel in any suitable place in the kitchen, regardless of the location of the oven.

Useful Additional Features

Models of induction panels may have a different set of additional options, including:

• Step adjustment indicators of temperature and power of heating zones;
• PowerBoost Function - increase the power of the heating zone up to 50% due to neighboring burners;
• Stop & go - Option to interrupt the heating process for a short period of time;
• Control panel lock - an extremely useful function designed to ensure safety if there are small children in the house;
• EcoTimer - An innovative timer that automatically turns off the heat a couple of minutes before the end of the specified time, so that the dish does not dry out and does not burn.

Rating TOP 7 best models

The best induction 4-burner panels

Hansa bhi68300

Hansa BHI68300 is a functional model of an induction hob that is capable of organically fit into any modern kitchen thanks to the sleek design.

The material of the work surface is glass ceramics. Management is via touch buttons. The device is equipped with a residual heat indicator, burner timer, protective shutdown option and a panel lock button.

Main technical specifications:

• glass-ceramic surface;
• 4 rings;
• independent installation;
• child protection;
• touch switches;
• push-button control;
• residual heat indicator;
• Dimensions (WxD) - 60x50 cm.

Bosch PIE631FB1E

The induction 4-burner panel Bosch PIE631FB1E is a high-quality and stylish model that meets all the criteria highly functional household appliance.

The panel is equipped with four rings: economical, high power and two standard ones. Management is via the touch panel.

It is convenient to use the control button lock when cleaning the hob or if there are small children in the house.

Main technical specifications:

• line: Serie 6;
• glass-ceramic surface;
• 4 rings;
• independent installation;
• child protection;
• function for detecting the presence of dishes;
• touch switches;
• push-button control;
• residual heat indicator;
• Dimensions (WxD) - 59.20x52.20 cm.

Hotpoint-Ariston IKIA 640 C

The Hotpoint-Ariston IKIA 640 C induction panel is easy and safe to use.

The surface of the household appliance is made of glass ceramics. There is an automatic function for recognizing the presence on the cookware panel, a button to lock the panel, etc.

Main technical specifications:

• glass-ceramic surface;
• 4 rings;
• independent installation;
• child protection;
• function for detecting the presence of dishes;
• touch switches;
• push-button control;
• residual heat indicator;
• Dimensions (WxD) - 59x51 cm.

Vestfrost VFIND60HH

Vestfrost VFIND60HH is a neat and functional model, indispensable in a modern kitchen.

Has a glass-ceramic work surface and touch button control. The device has a protective shutdown function, a residual heat indicator and other useful options.

Main technical specifications:

• glass-ceramic surface;
• 4 rings;
• independent installation;
• child protection;
• touch switches;
• push-button control;
• residual heat indicator;
• Dimensions (WxD) - 59x52 cm.

Electrolux EHH 56 240 IK

Electrolux EHH 56240 IK is a functional model, featuring a sleek design and a set of useful options.

The material of the working surface of the device is glass ceramic. Management is carried out using touch buttons.

Main technical specifications:

• glass-ceramic surface;
• 4 rings;
• independent installation;
• child protection;
• touch switches;
• push-button control;
• residual heat indicator;
• Dimensions (WxD) - 59x52 cm.

Indesit VIA 640 0 C

The Indesit VIA 640 0 C induction panel is a convenient and safe home appliance designed to make the process easier cooking food.

Glass-ceramic work surface, touch button control. The device is equipped with a burner timer, panel lock button, etc.

Main technical specifications:

• glass-ceramic surface;
• 4 rings;
• independent installation;
• child protection;
• function for detecting the presence of dishes;
• touch switches;
• push-button control;
• residual heat indicator;
• dimensions (WxD0 - 59x51 cm.

Zanussi ZEI5680FB

The Zanussi ZEI5680FB panel has clear controls and is fairly easy to maintain. The working surface is made of glass ceramics.

In its functionality, the device has several useful options - panel lock button, residual heat indicator, etc.

Main technical specifications:

• glass-ceramic surface;
• 4 rings;
• independent installation;
• child protection;
• function for detecting the presence of dishes;
• touch switches;
• push-button control;
• residual heat indicator;
• Dimensions (WxD) - 59x52 cm.

Useful video

Advantages and disadvantages of induction cookers: