Looking After a Ceramic Hob in a Jeffreys Bay Beach Home

How a ceramic hob works

A ceramic hob is a sheet of special heat-resistant glass-ceramic over radiant heating elements. The elements glow red and heat the glass, which heats the pot. The glass is tough and handles high temperatures, but it can be scratched by grit and cracked by impact or sudden stress.

Induction hobs look similar but work differently. Much of this guide applies to them too.

Sand: the hidden enemy in beach homes

In J-Bay, sand gets everywhere: on kitchen counters, on the bottom of pots stored in open shelves, on shopping bags and on hands. When a pot with sand underneath is placed on a ceramic hob and moved even slightly, the sand grinds against the glass like sandpaper. Over time, this leaves fine scratches and dull patches.

Preventing sand scratches

• Wipe the hob with a damp cloth before cooking, especially in a house that has been closed or after a beach day.
• Wipe the base of pots before placing them on the hob.
• Lift pots rather than sliding them across the glass.
• Keep pots stored in closed cupboards rather than open shelves near the beach door.

Scratches are mainly cosmetic, but deep scratches can weaken the glass over time.

Pots and pans

• Flat bottoms. Warped or rounded pots heat unevenly and can rock on the glass.
• Clean bottoms. Burnt residue on the base of a pot transfers to the hob and leaves marks.
• Right size. Use a pot that covers the heating zone.
• Avoid cast iron with rough bases unless the base is smooth, and never drop heavy pots onto the glass.
• Avoid glass and ceramic cookware, which can stick or scratch.

In a rental, provide a set of suitable flat-bottomed pots so guests do not bring their own warped camping pots.

Cleaning

Everyday

Once the hob is cool, wipe with a damp cloth and a little ceramic hob cleaner, then buff dry.

Burnt-on spills

Use a ceramic hob scraper (a razor blade in a holder) held at a low angle to lift burnt-on residue, then use hob cleaner. Do not use abrasive powders, steel wool or scouring pads.

Sugary spills

Sugar, jam, syrup and melted plastic need special care. If they cool and harden on the glass, they can bond to the surface and pull out small pieces of the glass when removed, leaving pits. Switch off the zone and, carefully using an oven glove, scrape sugary spills off while the hob is still warm.

Cracks and chips

A cracked or chipped ceramic hob must not be used. Liquid from a pot can seep through a crack onto the live elements underneath, creating a risk of electric shock and further damage.

If the glass cracks:

1. Switch the hob off at the isolator immediately. 2. Do not use it, even on another zone. 3. Call us to replace the glass top or the hob.

Common causes include heavy items dropped on the glass, a pot boiling dry, impact from the edge of a pan, and in rare cases stress from a manufacturing flaw.

Rental tips

• Include hob care in your house notes: wipe before cooking, lift pots, do not use as a counter.
• Ask guests not to place hot lids or baking trays on the glass.
• Ask your cleaner to clean the hob properly between bookings and report scratches or chips.
• Check the hob before each season.

When a zone does not heat

If one zone stays cold:

• Check whether the zone's residual heat or power light comes on.
• Try another zone. If all zones fail, check the isolator and breaker.
• If a single zone fails, the element or its switch is likely faulty.

We repair ceramic and induction hobs in Jeffreys Bay homes and rentals, including element, switch, touch control and glass replacement.