Cracked Hob Top Repair: Fix, Replace, or Ignore?

When your cracked hob top, a damaged cooking surface on a commercial electric or ceramic cooktop. Also known as a cooktop surface, it's more than just an eyesore—it’s a safety hazard, a heat leak, and a potential fire risk. This isn’t something you can tape over and forget. In a busy restaurant or hotel kitchen, a cracked hob top doesn’t just slow you down—it can shut you down completely. The glass or ceramic surface isn’t just decorative; it’s a critical part of the heating system. When it cracks, moisture, grease, and food particles get inside, shorting out the heating elements below. That’s why most commercial kitchens can’t wait to fix it—or replace it.

A electric hob, a commercial cooking appliance that uses electric coils or radiant elements under a glass or ceramic surface isn’t like a regular stove. It’s built for heavy use, but even the toughest models crack under stress. Common causes? Dropping a heavy pot, thermal shock from cold water on a hot surface, or years of constant high heat. You’ll see hairline fractures at first, then bigger splits. Sometimes the crack runs right over a heating element. That’s when things get expensive fast. Replacing just the hob element, the internal heating coil that transfers heat through the surface won’t fix it if the top is broken. You need the whole surface. And yes, that’s a job for a pro. Most DIY guides skip this because the wiring, seals, and alignment are tricky. One wrong move and you’re looking at a full unit replacement.

So what do you do? If the crack is small and far from the elements, some businesses try temporary fixes—heat-resistant sealants, special tapes. But these are stopgaps. In a commercial setting, you’re not just fixing a surface—you’re protecting your staff, your food, and your insurance. A cracked hob can cause uneven cooking, which means ruined meals and unhappy customers. It can also trigger fire alarms if grease builds up in the crack and ignites. That’s why most commercial repair services recommend replacing the top if the damage is visible. It’s cheaper than a fire claim. And if your hob is older than 8 years, replacing the whole unit might make more sense. Newer models are more energy-efficient, safer, and easier to clean.

You’ll find real-world advice below—from businesses that waited too long and paid the price, to those who caught it early and saved thousands. We’ve got guides on replacing hob elements, signs your cooktop is nearing the end, and how to tell if a repair is even worth it. No fluff. Just what works in a real kitchen.