Hobs are one of the most used appliances in a kitchen. Whether you’re making a quick stir fry, boiling some water for your pasta or cooking up a delicious curry - many of us would be lost without our hobs. We have a great range of both ceramic and induction hobs here at Home Feeling, all with 2 years warranty. Ceramic and induction hobs are a great, stylish addition to any kitchen. However, if you’re having any issues with your product, you should always check this trouble shooting guide first. The solution to your problem is likely to be very simple. Before you start the trouble shooting, you need to make sure you know the difference between ceramic and induction hobs. Depending on which one you have, their issues and solutions will differ slightly.

My hob won’t turn on 

If your hob won’t turn on, the first thing you should do is check the power supply. If you have a hob isolation switch, ensure that this is switched on. You’ll find that most hobs are hardwired but there are plug in hobs available. If you have one of these, then check it hasn’t come away from the socket. You should check the fuse in the plug and swap it for a new one to see if that makes a difference. For those that are hardwired, take a look at the wire and ensure there is no loose connection.

If your hob has a child lock, check that this hasn’t been activated. Look for a key or padlock icon on the control panel and refer to your user manual for instructions on how to unlock it. Many models will just need you to press and hold the button for a few seconds. These lock features are handy if you have children or pets, but sometimes you may forget that you’ve turned them on. 

My induction hob isn’t heating up

The surface of your hob won’t ever heat up, so this isn’t actually a sign that there’s an issue with your hob. However, you may sometimes notice it feels slightly warm after you’ve used it. This will be due to heat transferring from the bottom of your pan. 

If you have an induction hob, then you need to ensure that you are using the correct pans. Induction hobs use electromagnetic fields to heat up the surface of the pans/cookware. The surface of the hob itself doesn’t heat up. You’ll need to use a pan that is specifically for induction hobs and has a magnetic base. When these are placed onto an induction hob, the magnetic field will induce an electric current in the pan which will produce heat. 

If you’ve just purchased an induction hob and have upgraded from a regular ceramic, gas or solid plate hob, you will need to invest in new cookware. These are really easy to find in most kitchen shops and will be clearly labelled as being suitable for induction hobs. 

My ceramic hob is cracked

Ceramic hobs need to be treated with the utmost care as if they crack, they are unusable. If you are unfortunate enough to crack the glass surface, you should stop using your hob straight away. The ceramic surface will need to be repaired by a qualified engineer before you are able to use it again. To avoid this, you should make sure that you don’t use any cookware or pans that are too heavy. You should also make sure you’re not too heavy handed when using the hob. 

My hob is beeping constantly

Your induction hob can be beeping for many different reasons. One of the most common reasons is that there is pressure on the control panel. This can be due to a spillage - if there is any food or liquid on the surface of the hob, carefully wipe it off. The beeping should subside once it is clear. If it’s still making a noise, try turning the hob off and on again. 

Another reason why your induction hob may be making a noise is that it is not detecting a pan or you’re using the wrong type. Double check that you are using induction specific pans with a flat bottom. 

One zone is not heating

If you’ve noticed that one of the zones on your hob is not heating, this is likely to be a technical issue. First of all, you will need to see if it’s an issue with all of the zones or just that specific one. When you have determined which areas are affected, you will need to contact an engineer. If your hob is still under warranty, then you should contact the manufacturer. Our Willow hobs all come with 2 years warranty.

My induction hob has turned off

There are a few simple reasons as to why your induction hob might turn itself off. Due to the design of these hobs, you have removed the pan, it won’t work. Induction hobs are only designed to work when the magnetic pan is detected on the cooking zone. Replace your pan and you will find that the hob is working again.

If the hob has overheated, then it may shut itself down. This is due to having internal sensors that will detect when the hob is becoming too hot. If you are cooking at a high temperature for a long period of time, the hob will shut down as a safety precaution. Let the hob cool down for a while before you start using it again and try to stick to a medium heat if you can. If this happens often, it may be time to get a qualified engineer to take a look at it. 

Ways to prevent issues

If you want to avoid having any issues with your ceramic or induction hob, here are some tips:

  • Spot clean to avoid food and residue build up
  • Always use compatible cookware, especially for induction hobs
  • Avoid placing any heavy objects on the glass surface
  • Don’t drag your pans and cookware across the surface - always lift them.