Induction cooktops are quite sturdy and often have a glass top.
And anything that is glass can be scratched.
The outer body of induction all around is either made of steel or plastic which is usually strong and sturdy and does not scratch easily.
The top surface is made of good-quality crystal.
The glass-ceramic composite surface is durable and tough. It can, however, be scratched upon.
There are few cookware materials that work very well for magnetic induction cooking.
But they easily cause scratching on the cooktop glass surface. They can also crack the glass surface area.
In short – induction cooktops don’t scratch that easily and if you take care of some basic stuff, you can easily avoid most of the scratching. Also, you are bound to get some scratches in day-to-day use and should worry about it too much.
There are a few tips with the help of which we will see that scratching can be minimized irrespective of the cookware material being used.
If you’re looking for an energy-efficient and durable induction cooktop, I suggest checking out the Max Burton Induction cooktop.
What can cause scratching to Induction Cooktops?
There are many reasons that can cause scratching to the glass-ceramic surface.
- The rough surface of the pots and pans and rough handling of the cookware can cause scratches
- Sliding the cookware across the surface or thumping heavy stuff on it can lead to scratches
- Sliding cookware across hot spills containing crystals of sugar or salt can cause scratches.
- Cookware materials which are harder and heavier than the glass-ceramic surface like hard ceramic, cast iron, etc. can easily scratch the surface.
As the surface is flat and smooth, sometimes using it as an extension of the countertop by cutting veggies and placing cups, saucers, stuff on it can lead to scratches.
How To Check for Scratches on the Induction Hob?
To know for sure that the lines are scratches, polish with a damp microfibre cloth. If the lines go away, well then they were no scratches.
Feel the scratch with your finger and try not to deepen it by feeling with any other material.
The surface will not be smooth usually and you will be able to feel the difference. If the scratch is deep, the finger observation will be more astute.
Also read: How to Prevent Scratches on Non-Stick Pans?
How To Prevent Scratches On Induction Cooktops
Use specialized cooktop cleansing creams after using induction. They work quite well in protecting the surface.
It’s something like car wax which cleans off minute particles that are not even visible to the naked eyes.
Leftover residues can stain and sliding cookwares over them can make scratches on the glass surface.
Do not thump cookware on the glass surface. Place it firmly but gently
Avoid sliding cookware across induction. Lift them up and then place it on the induction cooktop.
The base of the cookware should be smooth and flat. Try avoiding cookware with rough bases.
While cooking, you can put mats or paper between the cookware and the cooktop to avoid scratching like a thin flexible silicone baking mat or parchment paper and it won’t catch fire.
It will avoid scratches and also soak up the spills. Some consumers reported the successful use of paper towels and newspapers which did not end up being burnt.
Never clean the cooktop surface with abrasive cleaning materials or pads.
Scraggy and grainy steel pads should also be completely avoided. Use specialized pads with mild soap and warm water. A soft cloth can also be used for cleaning.
Sugary spills can cause pits on the surface. Clean them as soon as possible. That would be when the cooktop is warm and not very hot or cold. Be careful, as pitting, if not removed can leave permanent scars
Always check the bottom of pans and pots you are going to place on induction. There should be no food particles stuck on the base and the design of the base should not have rings or ridges.
That can cause scratches while stirring.
While stirring, never move the pan back and forth. Friction can cause scratching.
Never scrape away burnt or stuck food with a knife.
There are specialized scrapers designed for cooktop surfaces that require you to scrape off at a 45-degree angle to prevent scratching.
Avoid storing heavy jars, bottles in drawers just above the cooktop surface. The jars and bottles can fall down and cause scratches and damage the glass surface.
Do not place hot lids on the glass surface. Air can get trapped between the lid and the ceramic cooktop surface which can cause scratches and cracks.
Carelessly placing items on the cooktop surface can lead to scratches. Do not place anything on the cooktop surface when it is not in use.
Using induction disk as an interface between non-compatible cookware and induction frequently can also cause scratches.
Especially heavy iron material interface disk.
How to Deal with Existing Scratches on the Induction hob?
A solution of Baking soda and water or white vinegar is very helpful in removing scratches.
Make a wet pudding-like consistency solution (1:1) of baking soda and water or baking soda and white vinegar.
Make sure the baking soda mixture is not very dry or abrasive as that can cause further scratches.
Allow the cooktop to cool down completely. Use the soft side of the sponge to rub on the affected part. Pat dry with another cloth. Vinegar is also helpful in removing hard water spots.
Similarly, specialized cooktop cleansing cream or metal polishing cream can remove scratches effectively.
Place the cream on a soft cloth or cotton ball. Rub it over the surface making small circular patterns. Wipe with a damp cloth and then pat dry with another cloth
You can also use the metal polishing cream after using the baking soda mixture.
Be careful with the glass surface around the scratches to avoid deepening the scratches.
As a long-time induction cooktop user, I can tell you that no matter how much you try, some scratches would appear on your cooktop. So don’t worry about it too much. The best thing you can do to avoid scratches is to clean the induction daily and avoid using cookware with rough bottoms.
Summary
Good deep scratches are there to stay. Minor scratches on the surface can be buffed away. So do not worry if the scratches do not go.
Accept it as a part of the induction design. Small scratches will become less visible with frequent cleaning.
With all the advantages of induction on one hand and scratching on another, let me assure you the pros of induction far outweigh the cons.
Induction cooks quickly and is super-efficient. In the modern era of jobs taking up most of our time, induction is there to save us time.
A few scratches do not make it less important and remember some find beauty in scars. It’s a sign of having undergone good work and remained usable. Cheers!
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