Induction hob flush with the countertop: is it worth it

What it looks like

With a standard fitting the hob sits on the countertop and its rim stands out from the stone. With a flush fitting the hob glass is level with the stone. The countertop and the hob look like one surface, and crumbs can be swept off with no step.¹

How it is done

A recess is milled into the countertop to the depth and shape of the hob frame, and the opening is cut inside it. You have to allow for the stone thickness and the gap required by the manufacturer. A mistake of a few millimetres means a hob that does not sit level, or cracked stone.¹

Which stone

Granite is dense and stable, and it handles machining and heating cycles well.¹ So does sintered stone, though it is harder to cut. With engineered quartz you have to watch out for heat from pots, because the resin does not like it.

What to watch out for

• The hob has to be designed by its manufacturer for flush fitting.
• Ventilation under the hob and a cabinet suited to its requirements.
• Hot pots slid off the hob end up standing on the stone. With granite and sintered stone this is safer than with a composite, but it is better to avoid sudden temperature differences.

Is it worth it

If you want a clean, minimalist kitchen and easy cleaning, yes. If the hob may change in a few years, a standard fitting is simpler to replace. We need the hob model before measuring.

(Sources)

1. Accent Countertops, Flush Mount Induction in Stone: What Works, Warnings & Warranty