[ard126k]

I have a Neff ceramic hob, about 7 months old, and I've noticed what I can only describe as 'flat bubbles' under the painted ring around one of the elements. It looks a bit like the air bubbles you get under screen protectors on a computer monitor. Since I've never owned one of these appliances before I'm not sure if this is a normal occurrence or some fault in the panel. The retailer refuses to advise, says it's up to Neff, but if I get a Neff engineer to come out and it's not a fault they will charge me for the visit! You see my problem - any advice please?

Alex.

[Dude a llama]

Are you sure it's underneath the glass, can you feel it if you drag your nail over the top of the glass?

[ard126k]

No,the surface is perfectly smooth.
Alex.

[Dude a llama]

Can the bubbles be seen on a photo? If so post a picture, I am a white goods engineer but cant say I've heard of bubbles under the ceramic glass before. Neff do come with a 2 year warranty so I suppose there's no big rush to get it sorted if you're not sure if there is a problem.

[ard126k]

I'll give it a go tomorrow but I've only got a phone camera and I doubt if I can get close enough in. To make it worse the bubbles are only visible against the light! Just wish the retailer would come and look at it to advise, then I'd know if I should involve Neff.
Alex.

[ard126k]

Tried some photos, I think the one in artificial light is best -

the wide shiny band following the white line is the bubbly area.

You can just faintly see it in daylight -

around the top of the white circle. Hope this will assist diagnosis!

Alex.

[Dude a llama]

Hi Alex, looks like it's on top of the glass to me and it just needs a good polish. Try some "hob brite" cream cleaner and a hob scraper, don't be afraid to use a bit of elbow grease, the glass is tougher than you think.

[ard126k]

Well I'm gobsmacked! You're spot on! I could have sworn I was looking at something inside the glass, but it was a very thin layer of something shiny on top. I managed to shift some of it with a knife blade but I'll go and see if I can find this 'Hob Brite' you mention. Many many thanks.

PS Is it safe to use elbow grease on the white circle? I won't rub it off?

Alex.

[Dude a llama]

No it wont rub off, once you have scraped off the residue it will polish up quite easily, you can get the hob glass looking like new again.