Dividers for gas stoves: features and purpose

The presence of household appliances in an apartment is a guarantee of a comfortable life and convenience of cooking. Modern manufacturers produce a huge number of home devices, without which it is already difficult to imagine a person's life. For many decades, gas stoves have been in greatest demand, which have successfully replaced stone stoves and even electric stoves. For quick cooking of food in any utensil, manufacturers have developed special dividers for gas stoves.

The flame diffuser is an indispensable device that creates the most comfortable conditions for cooking. The main task of a divider for a gas stove is to evenly disperse a large flow of flame.

Manufacturing material - carbon steel, stainless steel. Carbon steel devices have a short lifespan and corrode on contact with water. Corrosion-proof flame arresters are more resistant to the negative effects of external factors and have a long period of operation.

The following factors influence the period of operation of household splitters:

• the quality of the metal sheet;
• material thickness;
• preparation method;
• the presence of mineral fibers.

Flame diffusers have been a sought-after and popular device for many years. which perform the following functions:

• protection of porcelain, ceramic and earthenware from the destructive effects of fire;
• increasing the efficiency of gas use;
• preventing the handles of dishes from heating;
• creating ideal conditions for frying and stewing;
• regulation of the flow of supplied heat;
• long-term preservation of heat after turning off the gas;
• the ability to use enameled cookware on induction hob surfaces;
• preservation of the attractive appearance of the dishes;
• adaptation of large burners for containers that have a small bottom diameter;
• increasing the stability of any kind of containers;
• uniform distribution of heat flows;
• prevention of burning and sticking of food to the bottom of a container with a small bottom thickness;
• the ability to bake vegetables like grilling;
• self-heating food wrapped in foil;
• sterilization of glass jars.

Experts distinguish three types of flame diffuser:

• jet;
• divider;
• lid.

The jet is an integral part of the gas stove, which has the shape of a bolt with holes of different sizes and performs the function of supplying gas to the burner. The power of the plate depends on the diameter of the holes on the surface of the jet. For natural and bottled gas, special jets must be installed. Ignoring this rule will lead to the appearance of soot and burning, and may also cause an explosion of a flammable substance.

On the working surface of all gas stoves, special dividers are installed, which have different shapes and diameters. The most common are circular and toothed devices. The manufacturer independently chooses the type of splitter for the manufactured models of gas equipment.

Removable divider - a cover plate that has the shape of a metal disc with rounded edges. The main feature is the ability to separate the discs to remove various contaminants.

On the shelves of specialized stores, you can see several types of removable devices for gas stoves.

• Two-plate - a simple device that consists of a lower base plate and an upper adjustment plate. Both plates have a fire distribution function thanks to special holes. The air trapped between the plates prevents the device from burning.
• Reversible with perforated mesh on one side - an improved device that has holes only on the underside. The top can be completely flat or have wavy grooves. This design evenly distributes heat energy and increases the distance between the fire and the cookware.
• Mesh - a device whose surface consists of a fine mesh.
• With center hole - a unique design, the central hole of which does not allow the flame to pass through, but increases the amount of heat in the center.

Manufacturers produce splitters in two shapes:

• square;
• round.

The size of the appliance depends on the diameter of the hotplate and the cooking container. This indicator ranges from 200 mm to 300 mm. It is undesirable to purchase a divider with a smaller diameter than the bottom of the pan.

For containers with a large volume, it is necessary to choose durable devices that are not subject to sagging and mechanical deformation. Many devices are supplemented with special metal handles, which are stationary or removable. The presence of a special non-heating pad on the handle will prevent thermal burns.

Operation of a removable flame diffuser will not cause difficulties even for novice housewives. Before using a new device, it must be ignited on a low flame for several minutes. This manipulation will make it possible to remove the factory grease and prevent the spread of unpleasant odors during cooking.

Do not remove containers from the stove using the handle of this device, which can be easily deformed. To change the flow of flame and the diameter of the holes during cooking, you must gently rotate the handle of the top plate.

Observance of simple rules will help to extend the life of gas equipment:

• regularly remove food residues and various debris from the surface of the hob;
• do not leave household appliances unattended during their operation;
• timely lubricate component parts;
• repair at the first sign of breakdown.

If there is a need to repair a gas stove or replace its component parts, it is imperative to contact specialists who will quickly and efficiently perform all the necessary work. You can fix minor problems yourself. To perform this manipulation, you must carefully study the instructions for the device, and it is also desirable to have the required amount of professional skills and a set of special tools.

In the event of a malfunction in the operation of one of the nozzles, experts recommend a complete replacement of all nozzles of the gas stove. A complete set of nozzles to match your stove model is available from specialized stores.

List of required tools:

• crosshead screwdriver;
• open-end screwdrivers;
• a set of spanners - for a jet, for a burner nut, an oven tip.

The process of replacing the jets on the hob consists of the following steps:

• dismantling the grating;
• removal of dividers and burners from the nests;
• loosening the bolts of the hob and dismantling it;
• visual inspection of the traverse, nozzle and jet;
• squeezing the retainer to release the tip;
• detaching the jet from the mounting ring;
• installation of a new device.

You can replace the nozzle in the oven by performing the following manipulations:

• opening of the lower technical box;
• dismantling the oven floor;
• unscrewing the burner screws;
• visual inspection of the nozzle located on the left side;
• dismantling the left cover of the main body of the plate;
• removing the nozzle body;
• installation of a new device.

If the nozzle is strongly attached to the pipe, it is necessary to lubricate it with a special compound and only after a few minutes proceed to dismantle it. It is strictly forbidden to use physical force, which can lead to deformation of components and thread stripping. When buying new dividers to replace old ones, you need to carefully look at the exact correspondence of their sizes and models.

During long-term operation of the gas stove, the nozzle can become clogged with detergents, food debris and combustion products. Gas supply can be restored without the involvement of experienced specialists. To solve the problem yourself, you need to pierce the nozzle holes with a thin wooden stick. After making sure that all holes are clean, it is necessary to replace the removed divider. Before carrying out work on cleaning gas equipment, it is imperative to shut off the gas supply and make sure that these manipulations will not harm your health.

In order to improve the gas supply in the oven, in most cases it is only necessary to purge and clean the jet. To remove grease and carbon deposits from the divider, they must be removed from the stove and washed with plenty of warm water and detergent. Experienced housewives recommend using not only ready-made cleaning chemicals, but also alternative ways to remove dirt.

The most popular improvised means are the following:

• laundry soap;
• lemon acid;
• vinegar;
• ammonia solution;
• baking soda.

These funds will not only help to quickly and easily remove residual fat and carbon deposits, but also significantly reduce the costs of the family budget, and if they get on food, skin or food containers, they will not cause an allergic reaction and poisoning.

It is strictly forbidden to use iron sponges and brushes, which can damage the metal surface and leave deep scratches on it. The most suitable means for removing dirt are a toothbrush, dishwashing sponge, and cotton swabs. In the presence of old and deep contamination, you must first soak the devices in hot water with ammonia and vinegar.

Home appliance manufacturers make a huge number of appliances that greatly simplify the process of housekeeping. Cooking is not only a creative process, but also time consuming and requires skill, experience and attention. For many years, the divider has been an indispensable part of the gas stove, which helps to optimize the heat flow and facilitate the process of creating culinary masterpieces. To extend the operational period of this device, it is necessary not only to purchase high-quality devices, but also to carry out its timely repair and cleaning.

For information on how to clean the burners and gas stove splitters, see the next video.