I have this hob for about 5 years (we think) and it was in daily use for dinners, etc. A couple of days ago one of the 'rings' stopped working and there was an almighty smell of melted plastic in the kitchen. The following full day later the whole lot went and the kitchen was filled with smoke. I don't remember what we paid for it but it was one of the more expensive models. Has anyone had this experience? I'm thinking of contacting Whirlpool as I was taken aback when the kitchen filled with smoke. There was a locking switch on the hob which meant I could leave something on a very low heat for hours and don't like to think what might have happened if I had done that and gone out. A salesman was seriously taken aback when he was told the hob went on fire - 'I never heard of that happening' he said.