Hi, I have found the trivet arms very stable without issues. The left back one is the smallest, and I put the espresso trivet on it to make it smaller, and it works with my smallest pots (for milk or melting butter). The lady is correct that the middle "wok" burner can be used for both very hot wok heat, and also just the smaller burner for gentle heating. However, I just tried to place the espresso trivet onto the middle trivet and it is simply too big, and it is unstable to use this, so I disagree with the salesperson on this advice. Therefore a small pot (i.e. a milk pot) would be best on the smallest far trivet. However, if you were frying in a frypan and needed slow heat, then the wok burner on the single small flame would be ideal as well.

Thankyou very much Tania, for your answer and trying a star trivet on the middle burner. ( i had thought also to bring my star trivet and a small pan to the store to try them out, as pedantic as that might seem! ..) hope you don't mind but can I just ask two more ( pedantic) things ? is the inner burner of the 'wok' burner about the same size and strengths (low / high) as the small left back burner? I think all told it sounds like a good stove top. And - as I understand the knobs on this unit are a type of plastic?, not metal. Are they holding up ok?) much appreciate and thankyou for your feedback !!

I am sorry I don't have an answer to assist you as this has not happened to me. Suggest you call Siemens

I have found it very easy to clean as the 'gas bits' are removable and washable in the sink with some dishwashing detergent. The stainless steel base can be easily cleaned spray and wipe and paper towel. Also there are ridges which keep spills contained to that hotplate, so if you do spill something (eg pasta water boils over), it means you can clean up that hotplate whist other hotplates (eg cooking sauce) are unaffected and can continue cooking. I have now had this hotplate for a couple of years and I have to say it looks as good as when I bought it, and I use it every day as I cook a lot. I would buy this brand / model again precisely because it is easy to clean and easy to use.

Thank you Tania for your reply. Much appreciated and will get this cooktop.