Avoid The Number 1 Reason Why Induction Hobs Crack

The surface of an induction hob is strong. But rough handling can cause the ceramic-glass to scratch or break. Here's how to care for your hob.

Induction hobs have a glass-ceramic surface. The material is tough so everyday use cannot damage it. But rough or improper treatment can cause scratches and cracks. Examples include putting cookware down too hard or accidentally dropping something on the glass.

With a little care, your induction hob can stay in great shape for years. Here are the best tips to avoid your hob’s surface from shattering.

Read Next: How to use a wok on an induction hob.

The Main Reason Why Induction Hobs Crack

Most induction hobs have a surface that is made from a ceramic-glass mix. This type of material has several benefits including quick heating and durability. The ceramic-glass also looks beautiful and futuristic.

But as tough as this material is, it can scratch, fracture, and even shatter under certain circumstances. If a hob owner takes care of the appliance, there is no reason why an induction hob should not stay perfect for years and years. But improper handling, like banging a pot down on a cooking zone, can fracture the glass. Accidents too can cause scratches and breaks, especially when you drop something on the hob from a height.

READ NEXT: 3 Reasons your induction hob has a flashing U.

How Can I Prevent My Induction Hob From Cracking?

Here is the good news. All it takes to keep your hob looking great is to know the dangers and to treat the ceramic-glass surface as if it is more fragile than it really is. Rather be over-gentle than assuming the material is tougher than it looks. That is a recipe for disaster. Yes, a hob’s surface is tough but it can only handle so much mistreatment.

Why Can’t I Just Repair It?

When the surface of an induction hob cracks or shatters, it can be really expensive to repair. Needless to say, no one wants the hassle of having to replace a hob’s surface or any damage underneath the surface when the whole thing can be easily avoided. With a few easy tips, you can save yourself a big expense and dealing with repair companies.

Let’s look at the most common dangers and how to avoid them.

Rough Handling

We already dipped our toe in this particular muddy pool. Whatever the reason (haste, feeling irritated), when a person starts banging pots and pans on to the ceramic-glass surface of a hob, it is going to end only one way. At best? A crack or two. At worst? The surface shatters and damages crucial components under the layer of ceramic-glass.

• Carefully place cookware down on to the cooking zone.
• Never drag a pot or pan from one zone to another - this also damages the surface.
• Do not use the surface of the hob as a cutting board. Over time, the damage will add up or weaken the glass.

Accidents Can Also Damage The Surface

Some hobs have shelves nearby but that is not really a good idea. When something tumbles from a shelve, it can hit and shatter (or crack) the ceramic-glass surface. Sometimes, a pot or pan can also slip as you pick it up and fall back on to the hob. The best way to prevent accidents from damageing your induction hob is to follow these tips.

• Always stay aware of things while you are cooking on the hob or working nearby. Thinking about something else while you work with an appliance is responsible for too many domestic accidents.
• When you pick up cookware from the hob, always make sure that you have a firm grip on the handle of a pan or the handles of a pot. This will prevent it from slipping from your grasp and crashing back against the ceramic-glass surface.
• If there are shelves above or nearby your induction hob, resist the urge to fill them with items. Even something as harmless-looking as a spice bottle can crack the surface of a hob if it falls from a shelf at the right speed and angle.

Find the best portable induction hobs for your small apartment or holiday trip.

Incorrect Placement Of Items Can Also Cause Damage

One of the worst mistakes hob owners make is to think that a hot item cannot damage the ceramic-glass. After all, the hob’s surface is designed to heat up, right? Right. But.

There are some things you should avoid doing at all costs and one particularly damageing habit is to remove a hot lid from a pot or pan and place it on the cooktop’s surface. The surface cools down and the moment you lift the lid, the ceramic-glass fractures.

Also, try to use cookware that is the same diameter as the cooking zone you are using. Inherently, it should be fine to use a smaller pot on a bigger cooking zone. But never use a pot that is bigger than the zone.

Improper Cleaning Is Also Damageing

Sometimes, spills can cause physical damage to the ceramic-glass of an induction hob. It is essential to clean up any spills as soon as they happen. Take care to avoid burning yourself and wipe the liquid or over-boil with a cloth. It is particularly important to be vigilant if you are working with something like sugar or a sugary substance. When sugar spills on a hot induction hob and is allowed to cool, it can cause pitting in the glass.

It is also a good practise to remove pots as soon as you are done cooking. When cookware is left to cool on an induction hob, they can eventually cause damage like weakened glass and cracks.

Are you new to cleaning induction hobs? No problem. Grab our best tips to clean an induction hob.

What Else Can Cause My Induction Hob To Crack?

Remember when we said a little earlier that you should mop up spills as quickly as possible? Yep, it holds true for the sugary stuff and pretty much all else too. However, just wipe the worst damage down so that you can clean the induction hob properly once it has cooled down. As in, completely cooled down. A major factor that cracks ceramic-glass is cold water being used on the warm surface to clean it. The difference in temperature can lead to hairline fractures or worse.

You can also look at the most common problems people have with induction hobs .

A Quick Summary On Why Induction Hobs Crack

• The ceramic-glass of an induction hob is designed to be very tough but certain things can cause the surface to crack.
• A damaged hob is expensive to repair and it makes more sense to avoid the things that can break the ceramic-glass.
• The number one reason for hob damage is rough handling. When pots and pans are carelessly slammed down or dragged to another cooking zone, the glass can scratch or break.
• Other reasons also include falling accidents, spills, and placing hot lids or pots where they do not belong.
• An induction hob can stay in great shape with the right care and precautions, including careful handling of the pots, never dragging vessels between zones, cleaning spills quickly, and avoiding dropping items on the glass.