Glass ceramic hobs are popular and also widespread. They have many advantages for convenient cooking, but also one huge disadvantage. Since it is a smooth material, it can easily scratch the countertop. Fortunately, there are several methods that will make a scratched countertop smooth and beautiful again.

How scratches form

Heavy cookware with a rough surface can leave marks in the form of scratches. It is enough if the bottom of the pan or pot is a little uneven. Salt or other spices that accidentally spill on the countertop and get under the dishes can also cause mischief. This happens every once in a while in the kitchen. It’s not unusual. Fortunately, there is a solution to disguise unsightly scratches.

How to prevent them

The best solution is, of course, to prevent scratches. So always lift the dishes on the hob and don’t shake them. Also check the bottom of pots and pans regularly. Are they clean and flat? Is it rough? Wipe up anything that spills on the plate immediately. Don’t wait for it to dry. And forget about any rough wire and sponges, they’ll damage the surface. Keep a soft cloth handy.

━━ ( Source: congerdesign /  Pixabay )

Cleaning the plate

You should always have a special hob cleaner on hand, which can be bought at any chemist. The cleaner is basically a liquid sand that restores the shine to your ceramic hob. Just apply a little to the surface, work it in with a cloth and then polish. Then remove the product from the surface with a clean cloth.

Have you run out of cleaner? Don’t worry, if I do, I always reach for baking soda with a little water and spring. This basically creates an abrasive similar to a specialty cleaner. The cleaning procedure is then exactly the same. I apply to the stove, gently scrub with a sponge, and then rinse with clean water and dry.

Tips from users

Cleaning glass ceramic hobs is also a frequent topic on the Reddit platform, where users give each other advice on their experiences. One of the discussants confided that he first uses detergent with water in a spray bottle, and if all the dirt can’t be removed, he reaches for a polish. Also, another user uses dish detergent and a sponge. He then reportedly dries the surface with paper towels.

However, these are not ideal in my experience. It is the bits of them that can cause microscopic cracks on the ceramic hob, like on a mirror or glasses. It is better to dry the plate with a clean, reusable cloth. After all, we want to prevent scratches on the hob, not create new ones when cleaning it.

Polish

One user talked about using a polish. Which one to choose? If you want to get rid of scratches, then a metal polish is ideal. And ideally a polisher that will do a lot of the work for you. You need to put a fine disc on it. Just apply a small amount of polish to the scratched surface and then work it in gently with your fingers. Then polish slowly with the attachment for a few minutes. Finally, take a microfiber cloth and wipe the surface of your board.