The main differences between tempered glass and vitrified clay
Quite often heat-resistant glass is confused with tempered glass. The latter type of treatment significantly affects the strength of the material. For the manufacture of tempered glass, it is customary to use sheets of glass, which are then heated to a temperature of 670 ° C, and then subjected to rapid freezing (cooling). Stresses inside the material are redistributed in this way.
Tempered glass
Especially the top layer of the product becomes stronger, but the internal structure remains unchanged. However, stresses do not disappear, so if the material heated to 200 ° C or a point impact, it will turn into a pile of splinters. This is the reason that such a material cannot be cut. These nuances should be taken into account when choosing a kitchen appliance. It is also not used as a fireproof screen.
Red tempered glass
Compared to tempered glass, furnace glass and ceramic glass are classified as heat resistant. It will actually be a ceramic of the transparent type, only remotely resembling glass. The material will have indicators such as resistance to sudden temperature changes, mechanical strength, thermal resistance.
Additional advantages of vitrified clay:
- Insignificant rate of thermal expansion. The use of such models is particularly comfortable, thanks to which the doors and surfaces will practically not heat up, which will make the design as safe as possible.
- High heat dissipation rate. The glass ceramic material can be fireproof. It is this material is commonly used to equip modern stoves and fireplaces.
- Transparency. Originally, this material was developed for manufacturing high-quality glasses for astronomical telescopes, where such a parameter as accuracy is of high importance.
A little more useful information
Finally, we suggest watching a video with tips on choosing a gas cooktop from the user.
Stainless steel cooktop
Stainless steel is the most practical and reliable material. It withstands even heavy mechanical damage, shock and pressure of quite large weight. A big plus of such a panel. it is available in electric or gas versions, which allows you to pick up the surface, depending on the type of energy in the apartment. But to decide which cooktop is better stainless steel or glass, is still worth after getting acquainted with the full list of features of each type.
Important! The main characteristic of a stainless steel cooktop is the composition and quality of the alloy. It is believed that the more chromium in the alloy, the higher its quality.
Modern models come in two variants. matte or mirror. The choice of the type of surface depends entirely on the design of the kitchen and the preferences of customers.
Features of stainless steel cooking tops:
- Has 2 to 4 burners on the cooking surface. As a rule, they are different in power, which allows you to cope with any difficulties in cooking. In addition, the presence of 4 burners will be a big plus for a large family, and if you like to cook a lot and with different dishes. burners should be different in area.
- Stainless steel gas hobs are almost always equipped with cast-iron grids, which are quite stable and do not allow the dishes to tip over. When choosing a surface, it is desirable to prefer a separate grid. this will help when cleaning the stove.
- When buying a gas cooker, be sure to pay attention to the burner switches. So, it is desirable to have a system of control of gas supply, also the function of automatic ignition. In addition, a mechanical version is preferable. this will help to avoid electronic failure, and subsequently a gas leak.
- The electric cooking surface heats up quickly and cools down for a long time, which allows you to save on electricity while cooking.
Important! Stainless steel is unpretentious in maintenance. But its cleaning must be regular and systematic. If you don’t clean stainless steel for a long time, dirt penetrates the metal so badly that it will be almost impossible to get rid of it.
Care of stainless steel surfaces
When choosing which cooking surface is better than stainless steel or glass, care features often play an important role, because the hob is constantly dirty with grease, food debris, it forms soot.
Stainless, of course, is less fastidious in care, in addition, this material withstands quite strong mechanical damage, which allows you to use even the most aggressive means and different sponges. However, if you run the dirt, the stove will lose its appeal.
When cleaning a stainless steel cooktop, the following recommendations are worth following:
- After each cooking, it is necessary to wipe the surface with detergent, a cloth or a sponge. Foam residues can easily be removed with plain water. Only this simple rule can prevent accumulated dirt, food remains and rust from accumulating on the surface.
- It is not recommended to use rough brushes and sponges, especially metal sponges. This will cause scratches and cracks on the surface.
- When choosing a cleaner, be sure to look for its composition. Stainless steel is very sensitive to chlorides as well as to tiny particles such as baking soda, sand, granules, etc. п. It is best to use liquid cleaners or creams. If the dirt is very persistent, pour the detergent on the stove for a few minutes and only then clean.
- After cleaning, it is recommended to use a special oil for stainless steel, and afterwards to polish the surface with a clean rag. This will help create a waterproof layer that traps dirt and food debris.
- Be sure to use gloves when cleaning. This prevents chemical burns and drying of the hands.
tempered glass film ceramics vs tempered glass
Tempered glass
In order to obtain tempered glass, ordinary material is tempered at a certain temperature and then cooled. This is done so that it has good durability, with a constant thickness.
On the outside glass is no different from ordinary glass. On impact, it does not break into small pieces, but only covered with cracks. Very often it is used in rooms for children. Most often used for showcases, furniture, windows, facades.
If we talk about the advantages, the tempered glass perfectly withstands temperatures, has good flexibility and impact resistance. When it breaks, it is only covered with a network of cracks. That’s why you can’t get injured.
If we talk about the disadvantages, then chips and scratches can be formed. In addition, tempered glass is difficult to work with.
What it has in common?
If we talk about the general features, we should note the care. Both materials are capricious and require special care. Under no circumstances should they be scratched or rubbed too hard.
Special attention should be paid to the fact that both materials are environmentally friendly. They do not emit any negative substances into the atmosphere and do not affect the cooking. Each fixture has good durability. In terms of appearance, they are both beautiful, and now you can find options for any kitchen design. In any case, everyone makes their own choice for themselves.
If you have not yet decided on the surface, you can consider these two components. They are sold in every home improvement store and provide a huge range to choose from.
Differences in the production of tempered glass and glass ceramic
The technology of manufacturing tempered glass involves strong heating (melting point) followed by sharp cooling without crystallization. As a result, the outer layer of the material becomes incredibly strong. The inside remains ductile.
Through hardening, the glass becomes resistant to thermal and uniform mechanical stress. Tempered glass shatters into small pieces when subjected to sharp point loads, so it cannot be further processed. The same property ensures the safety of the material, since the cubic shards of tempered glass with blunt facets do not cause injuries.
Glass ceramic is made of a composite material consisting of clay and glass. Raw materials are fused into a single mass under the action of high temperatures without further cooling, which leads to exceptional thermal resistance of the finished product, the indexes of which are 3 times higher than those of tempered glass.
With similar manufacturing principles, each material has advantages and disadvantages. And since at home glass ceramic and tempered glass are more often used as a coating for electric cooktops, let’s consider their characteristics from this perspective.
To sum up
The most controversial cooking surface is the model of glass ceramic. This type of kitchen equipment is recommended for those for whom the appearance of the room and the kitchen set is more important than practicality. No matter how careful you are, the risk of damaging the surface is rather high. If you spend a lot of time cooking, you’re better off considering other options.
On a limited budget, stainless steel is the ideal cooking surface. Excellent reliability and strength, as well as durability and resistance to mechanical damage make such models the most popular and popular. In addition, they do not require special maintenance or expensive chemicals, and the choice between frosted and mirrored surfaces is often enough for ordinary citizens.
Hobs made of tempered glass are the dream of every housewife. They are practical, reliable, durable, versatile and very beautiful. If the family budget allows for such expenditures, then there is no worthy alternative to these models. They combine the advantages of stainless steel and glass ceramic, without their disadvantages.
Stainless
Stainless steel is a practical and durable option. The material is resistant to shocks, strong pressure. What is important stainless steel is universal. There are products on the market that work on natural gas and electricity. As the saying goes, for all tastes and capacities.
Important! The main criterion for evaluating the quality of the product is the type of alloy used. According to experts, the more the alloy contains chromium, the higher its quality.
There are 2 variants of execution: mirror and matt surface. Both variants are practically equivalent. Everything depends on the taste of the customer. Features of the surfaces of this material:
- The number of burners on the worktop ranges from 2 to 4. Most often they differ in power, which makes it possible to avoid difficulties in cooking.
Important! Four burners is enough for a large family. If you cook a lot and with different pots and pans, you should choose a stove with different sizes of burners.
- The gas cooktop is equipped with a stable cast-iron grate, which prevents the dishes from overturning. It is desirable to choose models with separate grids, as the care of the stove is much easier.
- If you opted for a gas variant, pay attention to the presence of an automatic ignition function, as well as control over the flow of gas. Mechanical control is preferable to electronic control, as a malfunction in the electronic control can lead to gas leaks.
- Electric panel heats up quickly and cools down slowly. It is possible to save energy consumption during meals.
Important! Stainless steel is very easy to clean. But remember to clean the surface regularly. Otherwise, the dirt is so deeply embedded into the metal that it’s hard to get rid of it.
Special care
If you compare which cooking surface is better glass or stainless steel, in terms of practicality the comparison will clearly not be in favor of glass. Stainless steel is resistant to mechanical damage, even the most aggressive cleaning agents and metal sponges are no problem. However, it is important to clean the surface regularly and not to overdo it. Otherwise the appliance will lose its former attractiveness.
Recommendations for care are not complicated, but they must be strictly adhered to:
- After cooking, wipe the surface with a cloth or sponge and detergent. Rinse off detergent residue with water. If it is not cleaned regularly, soot and food residue will ruin the product.
- You can use metallic scouring pads, but you should use only soft ones. But a brush made of metal can scratch the surface.
- Pay attention to the composition of the detergent. Do not abuse the use of abrasives (sand, soda). Use of liquid or cream cleansers is preferable.
- When finished cleaning, use a special oil for stainless steel, then polish the surface with a soft, dry cloth. It helps to create a protective layer on the surface, which facilitates maintenance in the future.
Important! When taking care of the stove, do not forget to wear rubber gloves. They will protect your hands from drying out and chemical burns.
Pros and Cons of Fiberglass Cookware
In order to buy a glass ceramic cooktop, you will need a significant expense, but the advantages of such a purchase will be many. The main should include the incredible durability of the material. For example, the load can be up to 25 kg per centimeter of surface. There is, however, one drawback. Aluminum cookware is prohibited, because in the process will begin to show almost impossible to remove stains. The cookware to be used must have a thick bottom without any flaws.
Glass ceramic cooktop
However, the heating area allows you to use a variety of pot sizes. Only burners, which are in the thickness of the glass, will be heated, but the other areas will remain cold, and it is safe to touch them. Do not spill sugar on this surface, as it will affect the original performance of the appliance.
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
| Thermal resistance | High cost |
| The material is not afraid of significant temperature fluctuations | Small selection of domestic models |
| Unbeatable appearance | The surface is easily scratched (minor scratches) |
| amazing thermal resistance | One-point mechanical action is contraindicated |
| Resistant to mechanical damage |
