Page 15 - Designing Ways 271

Linear Concept Pascal’s

and its support structure, but not overly burners cleaning is simple - simply wipe Porcelain or sintered surfacing
obstructing the capacity of the storage your countertop around the burners and materials are particularly suited to
underneath it. The stone is fabricated the job is done. But you will need to wait both these forms of cooking, with
with the necessary cut-outs to allow the until the stone is completely cool before most sintered materials being able to
burners to protrude through the surface doing this, as expansion and contraction withstand high temperatures. These
of the stone, ready for use. It is vital these of the material due to quick temperature materials are also resistant to staining
cut-outs are done with a smooth finish, change will shock the material, making it and scratching which is a benefit for
as bumps and irregularities lead to micro weak and susceptible to cracking. this style of cooking. However, the
chipping which causes weak spots that Most pit cooking components can material can crack if bumped or banged,
can lead to cracks. On the top and bottom be installed into a variety of surfaces especially on the edge profile, and as
of these cut-outs there should be a facet of including granite, quartz, glass, concrete, such the cooking process must be done
at least 1x1 mm (except when using solid stainless steel, solid surfacing, and with care, ensuring pots and pans are not
surfacing). ceramics but installation into veneer, dropped or banged down.
It is vital that the material has full solid timber or Formica surfacing is This glamorous, high-tech method
support to the left, right, front and back of not advised. However, there are quartz of integrated cooking does not come
the burner cut-outs. This prevents tension brands that do not recommend it as cheap, so it is vital that both the cooking
in the worktop from the weight of the they have concerns about expansion mechanism and the material is well
cooking unit and the pots and pans that and contraction of the material and researched, so that there are no nasty
could result in cracking. There should discolouration due to radiated heat. This surprises later down the line and that your
be a gap of at least 3-10mm from the is because quartz surfacing is only about beautifully integrated cooking surfaces
worktop to the wall or adjacent cabinetry 90% quartz, depending on the brand. have a long life. dw
(depending on make of material) to allow The rest of the material is made up of
the material space to expand and contract pigments and resin and resin can only www.ksa.co.za
with the heat of the gas burners. withstand approximately 150 degrees C.
For maintenance it is vital that the So, exposing the material to the direct heat
underside workings of the hob are from pit style cooking can put it at risk of
easily accessible without dismantling a permanent damage. Double check that
cupboard or drawer. the system you are choosing is compatible
Pit cooking provides a unique stylish with your material selection and that
look and also allows for burners to be your chosen material approves this style
placed further apart than on a normal of cooking. The minimum thickness
hob, and in different configurations truly of the core material is usually 4 mm
allowing the client to match their burner (for solid surface, quartz surfacing, and
configuration to their cooking style and natural stone 10 mm). For all materials,
preferred cookware. With integrated gas a maximum thickness of 35 mm applies.

dw • Issue 271 15