ceramic hob: cracked glass

[Two_Sheds]

Right. I've been on Google for over an hour and can't find a reason why the hob has to be replaced.
There is a crack in the glass about 2 inches in from the edge: the crack doesn't go over the heated part of the hob and there are no sharp edges to cut you.

I have no idea how or why it cracked - nobody saw or heard anything

My booklet tells me to contact a repairman, who no doubt will tell me I need a new hob (£400, fat chance).

If it's not actually dangerous, I intend to keep using it. Is that OK or am I missing something?

[Rhona]

Would liquid getting in be a problem? Keeping it clean?

Otherwise, could you check your household insurance - might be covered?

[PAULW]

Have you looked into claiming on the household insurance.

[janeyo]

I had a broken one once, used it for months after. I would just keep an eye on whether or not it gets any bigger.

[Two_Sheds]

Would liquid getting in be a problem? Keeping it clean?

I only noticed it when making bread: the white flour got in the crack and showed it up (hob is black).
If liquid did get in, what would happen? Big bang?

Have you looked into claiming on the household insurance.

Not yet, I have a feeling we aren't covered for accidental damage. I can't bear to have the kitchen ripped apart again for a few months at least. I also don't want another like it, I think it's awful. The oven throws out black smoke and is too small. I'd want to upgrade, but we can't afford to this year

I had a broken one once, used it for months after.

That's what I wanted to hear. I don't even know how long it's been cracked, could be months & months: like I said, I only noticed when I spilled white flour on it.
Nobody dropped anything on it, it just appeared.

[enrich100]

if its on the edge it should be ok
however the problem can get worse over time
as any material heat up and cools down it expands and contracts, any weakness, fault or even minor damage will eventually stress the glass enough to cause a fracture (crack) if the material heats up unevenly, the danger will be if the glass fractures allowing liquid through, in theory you could get the glass to shatter if the pressure builds up too much or there is a major temperature difference how ever as the glass is meant to be used over a heating element this is unlikely.

finally I'm using my 2 years of material science that I did over 20 years ago

[Guttata]

If it is fitted it may come under building as opposed to contents insurance. I read on the money savers forum that if you held your house upside down and shook it anything that falls out comes under contents and anything that stays put is buildings.

How long have you had it TS? If you are sure no one dropped anything on it, you could get the repair or replacement for free from the manufacturers.

[janeyo]

if its on the edge it should be ok
however the problem can get worse over time
as any material heat up and cools down it expands and contracts, any weakness, fault or even minor damage will eventually stress the glass enough to cause a fracture (crack) if the material heats up unevenly, the danger will be if the glass fractures allowing liquid through, in theory you could get the glass to shatter if the pressure builds up too much or there is a major temperature difference how ever as the glass is meant to be used over a heating element this is unlikely.

finally I'm using my 2 years of material science that I did over 20 years ago

pretty much what OH just said when I asked him

Just be careful it doesn't get any bigger and don't put anything unnecessary on it (my parents unload all their shopping on their hob and I keep telling them one day something will break it!)

[Two_Sheds]

How long have you had it TS? If you are sure no one dropped anything on it, you could get the repair or replacement for free from the manufacturers.

We inherited it from the (bodgers) who had the house before us. Basically everything they installed or even touched has gone wrong
It was installed 5 years ago, so is well out of guarantee.

Definitely haven't dropped anything on it .

I don't know how these things break anyway? Glass doesn't seem the obvious choice for cooking on: I'd have thought it would be prone to cracking when it gets hot.

[Guttata]

I remember pans made out of glass and let's not forget casserole dishes. As long as it doesn't suffer sudden changes, straight from hot to cold or vice versa, glass is surprisingly resilient to high temps.

No it isn't. As you are in England you have upto 6 years for an inherent fault to show. If a crack just appears for no reason you may be able to use this for it. Though they do have the right to check it out, though I wouldn't think it would be worth the bother if you want to redo the kitchen in a few months.

Other than that it would be best to check your insurance. Most do actually include accidental damage. This also tends to be new for old and given you said it was 5 years old it is likely any replacement will be more up to date than the one you have.