Introduction

There's something genuinely pleasing about a glass ceramic hob. The surface is seamless, easy to wipe, and sits flush with the counter in a way that makes the whole kitchen feel cleaner and more intentional. It's one of the first things people notice when they upgrade from a gas stove.

Which is exactly why the first scratch stings.

Glass ceramic cooktops are durable under heat — they're engineered to handle temperatures that would crack most materials. But the surface is more vulnerable to mechanical damage than most people expect. Small abrasions can accumulate over months until what was once a mirror-smooth surface looks permanently hazy.

The good news: with a few simple habits and the right cleaning approach, keeping your hob scratch-free is genuinely straightforward. Here's what actually works.

What Causes Scratches and Marks?

Understanding the causes makes prevention much easier. The most common culprits are:

• Dragging pots and pans across the surface. This is by far the most common cause of scratches. Even a pan with a seemingly smooth base can carry microscopic rough edges that abrade the glass with each move.

• Sand, grit, or salt trapped between the pan and the surface. Small particles act like sandpaper. If a grain of salt or a speck of grit sits between a cast iron pan and a ceramic surface, a single slide creates a visible scratch.

• Rough or uneven pan bases. Cast iron, some stainless steel, and pans with stamped (rather than machined) bases are the most likely to cause marks. Warped or damaged pan bases are especially risky.

• Abrasive cleaning tools. Steel wool, rough sponges, and scouring pads scratch ceramic surfaces reliably. Even some 'non-scratch' pads are aggressive enough to cause damage over time.

• Sugar and sugary liquids. This one surprises people: sugar that melts and burns onto the surface at high temperatures can fuse into the glass and cause permanent pitting or discolouration if not addressed immediately. Jam, fruit juice, caramel — all of these need urgent attention.

Daily Habits That Make a Big Difference

Most hob damage happens in small, repeated ways that are easy to prevent once you're aware of them:

• Lift, don't drag. When moving a pot from one zone to another, always lift it fully off the surface rather than sliding it. This single habit eliminates the most common cause of scratches.

• Wipe the surface before cooking. A quick 5-second wipe removes any grit or debris that might have settled on the hob since you last used it.

• Clean spills after cooking, not during. Hot glass is more vulnerable than cool glass. Switch off the zone, wait until the surface indicator light shows the hob has cooled, then wipe.

• The sugar exception. If sugar or a sugary liquid boils over while the hob is still hot, act immediately — don't wait for it to cool. Use a heat-resistant hob scraper to carefully remove the hot sugar before it sets. This is the one situation where acting while warm is better than waiting.

Your Weekly Cleaning Routine

A weekly clean is enough for most households. Here's what works:

What you'll need

• A ceramic hob cleaner (cream or gel formula — available at most supermarkets and hardware stores)

• A soft microfibre cloth or a dedicated hob cleaning pad

• A plastic or silicone hob scraper for stubborn residue

The routine

• Make sure the hob is fully cool before starting.

• Apply a small amount of ceramic hob cleaner to the surface. A coin-sized amount is usually enough for the whole cooktop.

• Spread it gently with a soft cloth using light circular or back-and-forth motions. Don't press hard — the cleaner does the work.

• For stubborn burnt-on residue, hold the hob scraper at a low angle (around 30 degrees) and apply gentle forward pressure. Never use it at a steep angle, which can dig in rather than slide under.

• Wipe away the cleaner with a clean damp cloth.

• Finish with a dry microfibre cloth to remove any streaks.

The whole process takes about 5 minutes and leaves the surface looking essentially new.

What to avoid: multipurpose kitchen sprays, bleach-based cleaners, and anything in an aerosol. Many general-purpose cleaning products contain chemicals that can dull or etch a glass ceramic surface over time. Stick to products specifically labelled for ceramic or induction hobs.

Choosing the Right Cookware

The cookware you use has as much impact on your hob's condition as your cleaning habits. Here's a practical guide:

• Induction hobs require magnetic cookware — stainless steel with a magnetic base, cast iron, or pans specifically labelled 'induction compatible'. You can test compatibility with a fridge magnet: if it sticks to the pan base, the pan works on induction.

• Ceramic (electric) hobs work with all pan types, including aluminium and copper. However, heavy cast iron pans should be placed and lifted carefully, never dragged or dropped.

• Flat pan bases are essential. Warped or uneven bases heat unevenly and are more likely to scratch. If a pan rocks when placed on a flat surface, it's time to replace it.

• Avoid pans with rough or textured bases. Some budget pans have stamped bases with rough edges — run your finger across the base before buying. A smooth, even surface is what you want.

Already Scratched? Here's What You Can Do

Light surface scratches — the kind that appear as faint lines when light catches the surface — can often be improved with a dedicated ceramic hob polishing cream. Apply the cream with a soft cloth using small circular motions, then buff away. This won't erase deep scratches, but it can significantly reduce the visibility of fine marks.

Deep scratches and chips are a different matter. They don't affect the hob's cooking performance or safety in most cases, but they can't be repaired at home. If the damage is extensive or if you notice any cracking, stop using that cooking zone and contact the manufacturer or a qualified appliance technician for advice.

Discover IsEasy Induction and Ceramic Hobs

IsEasy induction and ceramic hobs are designed to bring professional-level cooking performance to everyday European kitchens — with surfaces that clean up quickly and look great doing it. Explore our hob collection and find the right model for your kitchen.