If you've ever used a (non-induction) ceramic cooktop, you'll know how to avoid scratching. Just be gentle. If there is sand on the cooktop, why is there sand on your cooktop!?? Glass is harder than just about any material. It'll be fine. (Remember that old thing about needing a diamond to scratch glass? Glass is TOUGH.)

No manufacturer is going to tell you to put stuff between the burner and the pan. But you can. I don't think you need to if you keep your top clean and don't get acrobatic with your pans. Things CAN get hot. I've ignited a paper towel between a cast iron pot and an induction cooktop. Someone years ago wrote in the appliance forum about melting a silicon mat. Basically, everything will get messed up if you get it hot enough long enough, so a manufacturer has it easier to say "Nope" than offer rules for every situation.

Yes you can use bigger pans. If they are good pans, they will heat evenly. Ones that are too small for their burner might have trouble being detected. Ones that are super-duper large MIGHT overheat the hob--but that would just cause the cooktop to shut down the affected hob. It isn't dangerous.

1. The center element of the Monogram ZHU36RDTBB is 11".
2. Induction elements incorporate "pan detectors" which will turn off an element if a pan is the wrong size or type, or if it is removed for too long. An element will turn off if an otherwise induction-capable pan is too small, not if it is too big.
3. I have used a fry pan that exceeds the size of the element without a problem.
4. GE is providing that Cue pan so you can use the Precision Cooking feature (see page 12 of the instruction manual).
5. I have an LG induction range. I don't use anything underneath pans. The cooktop has no scratches.
6. Relax.

@Fori: "Ones that are super-duper large MIGHT overheat the hob"

I have no idea where this idea came from.

Induction cooktops typically use Schott Glass' Ceran material, which is a type of glass. Glass, however, is not near the hardest of materials; it is just above the middle of the hardness range. Quartz, Sapphire, Spinel, Topaz, tungsten carbide, and diamond are harder. Some steels are harder. Pans that are placed and lifted will not normally damage the Ceran, but dragged pans, particularly cast iron with possible grit inclusions, can scratch it.

Visit Schott's website for more information.

My opinion in favor of using three small silicone pads for pan offset is widely documented here, so I won't repeat it.

i have a 4-5 year old 30” Cafe induction range (GE Cafe CHS985SELSS). It has an 11” hob, two 8” hobs, a 6” hob (and a center one which is a keep-warm, non-induction). I think you are correct in that you will use the 11” hob, for a large frying pan, also (since that is probably the most powerful one) for boiling a large pot of water for pasta).

The 36” Monogram model places the 11” burner in the rear center, behind the controls. You will have to either lift your large pot/pan over the controls or put it down on the front left or right of the controls and slide it to the back or center.

i agree with the others that your cooktop should not get scratched. I have been disappointed to find that my stainless steel frame (it’s a one piece range) has gotten a little scratched; nothing horrendous, but noticeable if you know to look. You won’t have that.

The only time I have used a mat below a pot is when making spaghetti sauce because it sometimes bubbles over as it simmers until it has reduced. You still have to wipe the mat down from the sauce that went over the top. i don’t use the mat to prevent scratches, nor do I use it daily.

@wdccruise : you are correct! I have no idea where I saw those small burner sizes but I just rechecked and you are correct, the center one is 11" and the other ones are also larger. I am so relieved; and yes, I need to relax :) Thank you!!

@Kaseki : this forum (including your posts) is why I want to get silicone pads. Any idea why the Lazy K brand says they are not compatible with GE induction cooktops? Do you have a favorite silicone pad? Thank you!!

Ann, here are 3 links I had saved on old threads on silicone mats, one on silipat, with some discussion about not cutting them up into smaller pieces. Kaseki and his close sidekick JWVideo appear often, you can check out other threads under their names, as Kaseki has pointed out. Like you, I did a deep dive research and asked questions.

lisafisher5 Induction Cooking and Silicone matts and Cookware

where/how do you store your silpats?shimmy_weitzhandler

Where can I find a silicone mat for cooking on an induction cooktop?

If one overheats a pan base above the working temperature of the silicone, about 400F, the heat conducted into the silicone sheet will slowly (and then quickly -- like bankruptcy) deteriorate it. Eventually it could form a gummy mess that hardens onto the Ceran. I think CYA is the main source of manufacturer objection, but there could be outlier cases that are of concern.

No one in my household has caused total degradation, but sometimes enough degradation that I have to cut out some fresh circles. (The pads don't have to be circular.) Pad lifetime grows as one becomes more accustomed to the cooktop.

Any silicone sheet, such as cookie sheet protector, should work. Lots of sheet types and thicknesses with various temperature limits may be found at MSCdirect.com. Typically high temperature silicone is rust red, although black and blue examples may be found. My existing stock seems to have been re-organized somewhere so I can't report brand information.