Cracked Ceramic Hob Repair: A Step-by-Step Guide

A cracked ceramic hob can be an eyesore in your kitchen and make cooking difficult. Replacing the entire hob can be expensive, with costs quickly running into the hundreds of dollars. Thankfully, it is possible to repair a cracked ceramic hob yourself in many cases, provided the damage is not too extensive.

Repairing a cracked hob is a relatively straightforward DIY task. With some basic tools, materials, and safety precautions, you can often carry out repairs effectively. Doing it yourself saves on the often hefty fees of calling out an appliance repair technician.

This guide takes you through a step-by-step process to assess damage, prepare the hob surface, apply specialist ceramic adhesive, and clamp it securely. Follow the instructions carefully for best results.

Understanding the Damage

Ceramic hobs most often crack due to sudden changes in temperature or direct impact. The main causes of cracks include:

Thermal shock – extreme temperature changes like pouring cold liquid onto a hot pan. This causes the ceramic glass to expand and contract rapidly, resulting in cracks and shattering.
Dropped pans or objects – a heavy pan, pot, or object dropped directly onto the hob can crack or chip the surface.
General wear and tear – over time, the constant heating and cooling of the hob can cause hairline cracks and damage.

Cracks can vary significantly, from small hairline cracks to large splits across the entire hob surface:

Hairline cracks – very fine cracks in the glass surface that don’t impact functionality. These are shallow and mainly a cosmetic concern.
Partial cracks – deeper cracks that partially split the thickness of the glass. These can get progressively worse if not repaired.
Fractures or splits – cracks that extend across the entire thickness of the glass. These often require full hob replacement.

Assess the damage carefully before attempting repairs yourself. Very extensive damage, especially large fractures or splits, likely requires professional repair.

Safety Precautions

When dealing with a damaged electrical cooking appliance, safety should always be the number one priority:

Power off the appliance at the household electrical board before inspection or repairs. Tag out and lock off the ceramic hob individual circuit breaker.
Allow sufficient time (at least 30 minutes) for the hob to fully cool if it has recently been used for cooking.
Wear protective gear throughout the repair process – gloves, eye protection, sturdy footwear etc.
Clear the hob surface and surrounding area of any items or clutter.
Keep children and pets safely away from the work area. Restrict access with barriers or locked doors if necessary.
Have a correctly rated fire extinguisher and basic first aid kit close at hand.
Avoid using power tools wherever possible to limit risks of further glass damage or personal injury.

By taking sensible safety precautions, you can greatly reduce risks inherent in damaged electrical appliance repairs at home.

Tools and Materials

Repairing a cracked ceramic hob requires just a few simple tools and materials readily available online or from hardware stores:

Tools

Safety gear – gloves, eye/face protection, protective clothing
Multimeter – for electrical safety checks
Utility knife and/or razor blades
Mixing sticks or disposable brushes
Clean rags or paper towels
Sandpaper (150 grit)
Masking tape
Digital kitchen scale
Clamps (mole grips or ‘G’ clamps etc.)

Materials

Ceramic stove top adhesive (temperature resistance >300°C)
Isopropyl alcohol cleaning spray
Non-acetone nail polish remover pads
Approved high-temp silicone (if adhesive needs supplementing)

With these basic tools and materials assembled, you’ll be equipped for assessment and repair work on a cracked ceramic hob surface.

Step-by-Step Repair

Follow these key steps to safely repair superficial-to-moderate cracks or chips on a ceramic hob:

1. Assessment

Carefully inspect the hob damage:

Use a bright, direct light to reveal all cracks and fractures.
Categorize as hairline cracks, partial cracks, or full-thickness fractures/splits.
Determine if the damage is suitable for DIY adhesive repairs or if professional assistance is required.

Considerations that determine whether DIY repair is appropriate:

Extent and type of cracks – only superficial-to-moderate cracks can realistically be repaired at home. Deep splits or fractures that extend right through the glass require replacement of the entire hob unit.
Location on hob – damage located directly on a heating element is unlikely to be effectively repaired due to concentrated and frequent heat exposure.
Skill level and confidence – be realistic about your skill level. Extensive experience with precision gluing/clamping is required.

If unsure about whether damage can viably be repaired yourself, seek professional appliance technician advice.

2. Surface Preparation

Thorough surface preparation is vital for robust, lasting repairs:

Confirm electrical supply is isolated at circuit breaker before starting. Tag out appropriately.
Allow hot hob surface to fully cool if recently used.
Use isopropyl alcohol cleaner to remove all grease and debris in and around cracks. Scrub vigorously with non-acetone nail polish remover pads.
Carefully peel away any loose glass fragments using utility knife or small flathead screwdriver.
Use 150-grit sandpaper to roughen a ~10mm border around all portions of cracks that will receive adhesive. This helps the filler grip.
Blow away and wipe all dust using clean compressed air and lint-free rags.
Apply masking tape around the damaged areas to prevent excess filler adhesive from spilling onto clean hob surface.

Meticulous cleaning and roughening of the damaged glass surrounds makes for the strongest repairs.

3. Application of Adhesive Filler

With surfaces prepped, it’s time to apply your ceramic stove top adhesive:

Check tube instructions and expiry date before dispensing two-part epoxy adhesive.
Express equal lengths of each adhesive part onto a clean mixing surface like cardboard.
Use digital kitchen scale to measure exact 1:1 ratio by weight – avoid approximation by sight!
Mix thoroughly using popsicle sticks until uniform color with no light/dark streaks.
Load mixed adhesive carefully into cracks and missing areas using disposable brushes. Apply slowly and deliberately for maximum penetration into rough glass texture.
Continue adding filler slowly until cracks flush with surrounding hob surface. Apply very slightly proud of surface.
Allow to begin curing without disturbance for timeframe advised per adhesive instructions. Usually around 5-10 minutes.

Getting the application technique right prevents weak, porous repairs prone to re-cracking. Patience is key.

4. Clamping

Clamps reinforce the repair as the adhesive continues to cure:

Arrange molegrips or G-clamps evenly around repaired area. Use sufficient clamping force to compress adhesive filler flush with surrounding level.
If necessary, supplement with high-temp silicone to shore up cracks that won’t close fully. This helps transmit clamping force over whole area.
Check after 5 minutes for adhesive squeeze-out indicating adequate pressure. If minimal, tighten clamps further.
Maintain clamps fixed in position for the full adhesive curing period (usually 24+ hours).
Check periodically and adjust or supplement clamps if any loosening occurs. The filler must not move during initial curing.

Keeping strict clamping pressure is crucial while the adhesive reaches handling strength. Any movement severely weakens repairs.

5. Curing

Exercise patience while the ceramic filler fully hardens and adheres:

Avoid any disturbance or loading on the hob repairs for at least 48 hours.
Keep checking the clamping pressure periodically. Tighten or supplement if any reduction is noticed.
Ambient room temperatures between 18°C and 35°C work best for complete cure.
After 48 hours, conduct visual inspection along crack lines for any gaps indicating inadequate filler penetration. If found, remove clamps and use micro applicator tips to fill them carefully before reclaming.
Only after the full curing interval, slowly remove clamps and masking tape.

Rushing repairs risks permanent weakness and premature failure. Allow sufficient curing times for durable, lasting fixes.

6. Final Inspection

Before returning the hob to service, conduct some final quality checks:

Visually inspect repair from multiple angles under very bright light. Look for gaps, porous areas of filler, or residual cracks able to spread over time.
Use a damp cloth to wipe the area. Any ominous cracking sounds mean improperly cured adhesive.
Run fingertips slowly over the area feeling for unevenness or grooves indicating imperfect repairs.
If any doubts about repair consistency or durability, consider supplemental fill application before reclamping for further curing time.
Check for electrical supply tag out, then re-energize the circuit to test heating function on affected elements.

Careful final inspection gives confidence in your repair work and reduces failure risk once the hob is operational again.

Post-Repair Care and Maintenance

To gain maximum longevity from your ceramic hob repair:

Allow 72 hours before using repaired area for cooking purposes. This prevents thermal shock damage.
Use matching ceramic hob cleaner spray for regular maintenance cleaning of repaired areas. Avoid abrasives or metal scourers.
Always allow sufficient cooling between cooking tasks. Rapid temperature changes risk new damage.
Take extra care placing or removing cookware around a repaired zone. Drops or scratches can compromise weak areas.
Re-inspect your repair 1-2 weeks post-fix and take immediate action if you spot any cracks reappearing. Early intervention prevents escalation.
Consider purchasing silicone hot pads or trivets to prevent DIRECT cookware contact with the repaired hob area. This reduces mechanical stress.

With attentive care and maintenance, a well-executed DIY repair can return your ceramic hob to fully functioning order.

Conclusion

Repairing a cracked ceramic hob is a reasonably straightforward DIY job, provided you assess damage correctly and follow repair steps diligently. The appropriate ceramic filler adhesive and determined clamping are key to success.

Exercise judgment about whether cracks are within your skill level to repair. Seek professional assistance if unsure. Follow safety measures stringently when working on electrical cooking appliances.

Invest time in careful surface preparation, meticulous adhesive application, and consistent clamping pressure. Allow sufficient drying times before use and handle gently afterward. With this approach, you can often save hundreds of dollars versus a full ceramic hob replacement.

So inspect damage thoroughly, roll up your sleeves, and tackle that cracked ceramic hob yourself! Careful work could have it back in working order quickly and economically.