Updated 09/24/2017
Hobs, which have now successfully entered the kitchens of housewives, can have different surface. They are made of aluminum, of stainless steel, glass ceramics or covered with enamel. Each of the coatings has its pros and, unfortunately, cons. For example, strength.
If surfaces made of stainless steel and aluminum are not afraid of sharp mechanical impacts, then for enamel and glass ceramics impacts are weakness, breaking this type of hob is as easy as shelling pears.
Causes of chips on the hob, can they be eliminated and how?
There can be one reason for chipping the enamel - a sudden, strong impact on the coating with heavy or sharp objects. For example, a knife or screwdriver fell from a shelf, a sugar bowl fell out of your hands, a plate caused damage on its edge - the enamel would chip. A chip on the enamel surface will not affect the quality of work hob, however, the aesthetic appearance will be lost.
To restore the panel to its previous condition, experienced owners advise using special aerosol enamels. Unfortunately, the shelves of hardware stores are not yet pampered with an abundance of high-quality enamels for repairing such a surface; there are such aerosols, after which the damaged area turns black or simply stands out clearly. But German developers have already been able to come to the rescue, and their enamels allow you to tidy up the hob absolutely perfectly.
If the enamel surface, with minor chips or cracks, loses only its attractiveness, then the glass-ceramic hob may lose its safety during operation, or even fail completely (taking into account the place where the damage was caused).
There may be several causes of damage:
- surgical strikes- the fall of sharp objects - a knife, screwdriver, can opener or other items of dishes or kitchen utensils - will certainly leave their mark on a smooth surface.
- hitting with large objects will also not go unnoticed.
- grains of sand or other small, sharp objects - by themselves they may not cause special harm, but when the same pan is placed on them, the surface may not withstand it and chipping will occur.
- tearing off stuck dishes– it happens that a pot, frying pan or other utensils are placed on a sticky, uncleaned surface. Under the influence of heat, the dishes can stick so much that you have to tear them off along with a piece of glass ceramics.
- jam or sugar syrup– many users of glass ceramics complain that escaped jam is removed from the surface, only leaving small chips. There is an opinion that microparticles of sugar penetrate glass ceramics by diffusion and when the sugar syrup is removed, chipping occurs from the surface.
To avoid these troubles, you need to carefully read the instructions, it indicates what you should avoid so that the glass-ceramic panel serves for a long time and properly.
However, if trouble has already occurred, there are three ways: change the entire surface, leave everything as is, or correct the damage.
Replacing and installing a built-in hob is the most reliable method, but also the most expensive. Not everyone has the opportunity to immediately buy a new one. Leaving everything as is is fraught with serious troubles - the panel can be dangerous to use after chipping after some time there will be a crack. Repairing the damage is the most economical way. Now there are many companies that can help in such trouble.
If you try to fix the chip yourself, then you need to find a material that would hold the glass ceramics, prevent cracks from occurring, and not deteriorate or damage appearance the entire panel.
There is no material that would meet these requirements yet. But people have adapted to fixing chips with heat-resistant sealant. Auto sealant (which is used to repair car glass) also helps.
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Happy owners of glass-ceramic stoves are usually very satisfied because the device saves energy. And also by how accurately and quickly the temperature of the burners is controlled.
However, this type of kitchen appliance has one weak point - the hob. It is a layer of special heat-resistant glass, which when certain conditions may crack.
Cracks on hob- one of the most common failures of glass-ceramic stoves.
Causes of defects 
The main cause of damage is heavy objects falling onto the hob.. Usually this happens when a frying pan or pan falls out of your hands.
However, it also happens differently: the induction hob for a long time steadfastly endures all the vicissitudes of fate. And then suddenly it cracks for no apparent reason. This is due to the fact that destructive loads in the past led to the appearance of microdamages in the material, not visible to the eye . And at some point the inevitable happened, after which the glass-ceramic hob could not stand it.
Important! An additional source of risk for hobs is the use of the wrong detergents when cleaning them.
It happens when using abrasive materials that scratch the surface. Although the damage may not be visible to the eye, it will eventually make itself felt.
If the glass panel is cracked, it needs to be replaced. Let's figure out how to replace glass on a hob.
Replacing the hob 
People faced with such a need often have a number of questions. We have prepared answers to them.
Where to go to replace the hob
Have you discovered that the glass has broken or cracks have appeared on its surface? And don't know what to do? To change the panel, you should contact a specialist!
There are special service centers for repair of household appliances.
These may be representative offices of the companies that manufactured your stove. Large brands such as Hotpoint, Bosh, Maunfeld always have branches in all major cities.
You can also contact one-stop repair centers household appliances . They work with a wide range of breakdowns of products from different companies.
Important! Before turning to any service for help, make sure that it has direct access to the manufacturer of your electric stove.
After all to replace the hob, you need to use a branded glass-ceramic panel. These are not sold in the public domain, therefore, they can only be purchased from the manufacturer.
How to replace glass 
Installing a new hob to replace the one that is cracked follows the following algorithm.
Application
You can usually leave a request at the service center remotely. For example, by phone, with an operator. He will tell you exactly when to expect the master.
Diagnostics
A damage assessment is always carried out before starting work.. Even if everything seems obvious to you, there may be some hidden pitfalls. It is better to trust a specialist in this matter.
Coordination of upcoming work
After diagnosis the technician tells the client what exactly needs replacing. It also clarifies what procedures need to be done and how much it will cost.
The next stage will begin only after you find out all the details and agree with the plan for the upcoming repair.
Repair
If we are really talking only about replacing glass that is cracked, then the process will take several hours. From the outside it looks quite simple. However, it requires the use of special equipment, branded spare parts and good skills.
Reception of work
The final part of this whole process is to check how the surface works.
Important! Keep in mind that service centers usually guarantee their work for a period of 1-2 years, depending on the specific company.
Surface replacement cost 
The figure consists of several main components: the price of the necessary spare parts, the cost of work. There may also be an additional surcharge for urgent repairs. But service centers usually carry out diagnostics free of charge.
Firstly, the price of spare parts is taken into account. It depends on the specific company, producing kitchen appliances. AND sometimes equals approximately from 10,000 to 19,000 rubles. Secondly, the complexity of the work being performed is assessed. Direct price repair work usually in the range of 2.5-4 thousand rubles.
Thus, the cost of replacing a hob is approximately 50-60% of the price of a new stove.
Is it possible to replace the panel yourself? 
This question usually arises in people’s minds immediately after they get acquainted with the cost of the work. She's really great. However, this is exactly the case when the stingy pays twice. Trying to save money and install a new one yourself glass surface on a slab can be very expensive for several reasons.
Difficulties with finding and purchasing a new glass surface
These are not for sale in the public domain.. It’s difficult to find an analogue - Regular tempered glass will not work here. After all, it is not intended for specific point thermal loads that characterize the work glass ceramic hob. Therefore, it may unexpectedly burst or even shatter into many small fragments. It is imperative to use a branded hob.
Sometimes old panels from devices of this type that have become unusable are sold as spare parts. Their use for repairs is less dangerous.
However there is no guarantee that a used panel installed today will not become unusable tomorrow. After all, it was probably subjected to a variety of loads during operation. Most likely, cracks on such a surface will appear very quickly. This means that you will again face the need to replace it.
Replacement work requires special skills and equipment
This process takes relatively little time and therefore seems simple from the outside. But this is not true; it requires considerable qualifications. If you are inexperienced, you can break the slab. Or incorrectly assess the essence and causes of the breakdown.
Important! If cracks or other defects appear on the hob surface, you should contact a good service center.
Only professional craftsmen will provide you with a guaranteed successful result in the shortest possible time.
11 consequences of renovation in your apartment:
1. You wipe your feet not before entering the apartment, but before leaving it.
2. White cockroaches have appeared in your house.
3. Your cat switched from valerian to drying oil.
4. You turn the cutlets over with a spatula.
5. When you go to the toilet, you forget the original purpose of the visit and begin to closely examine the toilet connection and check for gaps between the tiles.
6. You stroke your beloved with wide, up and down strokes.
7. In turn, your beloved offers you a stepladder instead of her cheek.
8. Wherever you are, the smell of paint follows you everywhere.
9. Finally, you are glad that you have a small apartment.
10. The flowers you give to your loved one smell strongly of acetone.
11. Before you cook spaghetti, you ring it, try to strip the insulation and twist it
Installing a hob into a countertop
In this final article in the series on installing a hob and stove, I will look at aspects related to the countertop, as well as preparing the countertop and hob for installation.
Of course, the most simple option— at the stage of ordering a kitchen, for a small amount, make a hole for the hob by the company, but for this you need to know the dimensions of your equipment. Therefore, it does not always make sense to immediately order a hole in the countertop. A little advice! Do not make holes until you purchase the cooktop. Always make a hole only using the equipment available!
Hob sizes
Despite the fact that there is specific sizes, there are certain tolerances. Let's start with the fact that the minimum width of the hob is 30 cm. The maximum width can be more than one meter. This depends on the manufacturer’s imagination and the location of the burners (for example, not in the form of a square or some other combination, but in one row). However, the standard length and width of a four-burner hob is 60x51 cm. But these are the dimensions of the top part of the hob. The landing hole itself can vary from 57 to 59 cm in length and from 47 to 49 cm in width. Exact size mounting hole You can always find out in the instruction manual. It is also indicated there maximum tolerance errors. Most often, it is allowed to make the hole 1 cm larger in length and width. But keep in mind that if the hob is not attracted to the countertop, it may move due to big size holes. There are panels (for example Bosh) whose fastening mechanism is generally tricky.
Tolerances with this method of fastening are more critical and allow no more than 3 mm on each side. Therefore, before making a hole in the tabletop, carefully read the operating instructions.
I see no point in copying here a selection of tips from the instruction manual. But I’ll briefly go over the most common points that concern each hob.
Installing the hob into the countertop - seal.
As a rule, it comes complete with the panel. If it is not available, then theoretically you can use any thin door or window seal. Thin due to the fact that, on the one hand, the gap between the panel and the tabletop should be minimal so that dirt does not get into this gap, on the other hand, it must ensure a tight fit so that water does not leak inside, under the panel. Under no circumstances use double-sided tape or sealant, in general, anything that can stick the hob to the countertop. In theory, the panel should work for a long time, in practice, various incidents happen and the panel has to be removed. Removing a glued panel without breaking it is a very difficult task. And re-installation will be difficult, because you will need to remove the old “glue”.
Installing a hob into a countertop - how to cut a hole for the hob
The first step is to make markings with a minimum tolerance. It is very important to maintain a right angle. I usually use the hob itself for this purpose. That is, I draw one line from the near or far edge. I put it on it required sizes, I place the panel along this line and draw two side lines. To avoid scratching the panel, I put some fabric under it. The lines will be strictly perpendicular, then I measure desired value on the two resulting side lines and finish the rectangle. It is very important to pay attention that you do not hit the side walls under the tabletop when marking the hole
. Then, as you prefer, use a hacksaw or electric jigsaw a hole is cut out. 
To start cutting, you need to drill a hole to enter hacksaw blade. This must be done in the inside of the countertop. The one you will cut out. The photo clearly shows how this is done. Of course, it is more convenient to make the cutout with a jigsaw. Hole in marble countertops or from artificial stone It is advisable to entrust it to specialists. However, you need to remember that the jigsaw pad is metal and can scratch the surface when performing work. To avoid this, you can use 
masking tape. Its convenience is that it sticks well to the surface, but does not stick as much as regular tape. You can glue either directly to the marking line or slightly away from it. The main thing is to seal the area that extends beyond the hob, but may fall under metal platform jigsaw.
Installing a hob into a countertop - using silicone
Cutting a hole for the hob (and, in principle, for anything in kitchen countertop) must be treated with sealant. There is absolutely no difference what color the sealant is. In this operation, the most important thing is to properly seal the cut so that moisture does not get into it. Although the countertops are made of moisture-resistant material, they still swell when moisture gets inside. Only the cut itself needs to be sealed. You just have to wait a while (from three hours) for the sealant to dry and you can install the surface.
This is where we can end the article. If I remember something, I'll add it. If you have any questions, ask in the comments. Most important points I'll move it to the article.
WITH Best wishes, I!
Hi all.
I decided to write about this, because this happens to many people, but there are either no solutions on the Internet, or I haven’t found them.
I’ll say right away that the most correct thing would be to change the glass or surface assembly, but if this solution does not suit some of you (like me), then this post is for you.
It will most likely not be possible to return the surface to its original state and mask the crack, but “leaving” it in service is fine.
I have a top model Bosch induction with infrared sensors temperature control, so I really wanted to keep this particular panel (especially since they are no longer on sale now). The dealer asked 25 thousand for the glass, which is a little... expensive. For this money you can buy a full-fledged panel. So I decided to try gluing it together.
A little information about glass ceramics: it is not glass, or rather not ordinary glass silicate glass, and quartz glass. And the properties of quartz glass are different. For example, it can be locally heated to high temperatures and immediately cooled (even tempered glass will burst), and glass ceramics can also be processed.
From this follows the method of soldering quartz glass. For example, crushed silicate (ordinary) glass. Since quartz can withstand temperatures up to 1200 degrees, and silicate melts at 600 degrees. It didn’t work out for me, because when filling the crack dry, the burner flame simply blows out the crushed glass, and when using a liquid base, I used silicate glue, the silicate glue simply boiled from the flame, foamed along with the crushed glass, and again, the soldering did not work.
I gave you the information - whoever wants it, go for it.
Adhesives that have satisfactory adhesion to glass:
1) Cyanoacrylate (superglue). will not suit us in any way, since the maximum temperature of use is 80 degrees
2) Epoxy resin. can be used except for heating zones. temperature up to 280 degrees, but when heated it releases toxic substances
3) Silicate glue (stationery, liquid glass)... everyone knows glue from childhood. Almost perfect for our needs! we will use it
4) Silicone sealant- temperature up to 200 degrees. there are heat-resistant options with temperatures up to 300 degrees, but they only come in brown
I’ll say right away that I used all three suitable options.
I started with silicate glue. The initial result pleased me, but... the seam did not pass the load test. In the end, I did this: first I used silicate glue along the entire length of the crack, then I strengthened the rigidity in three places (where there are no burner zones) by gluing pieces onto the silicone ordinary glass and then I restored the missing fragment epoxy resin, simply pouring it in there (at the same time gluing in another small area of aluminum, since there was a web of cracks in this place).
I’ve been using it for almost a week now: everything is ok, except aesthetics. At the same time, I’m looking through Avito in the hope of finding a similar (similar) panel.