Why does my raclette cook unevenly across the plate?

Uneven cooking is often caused by how the food is placed on the plate, a cold start, or the use of a surface that has not been preheated long enough. If one area stays much cooler than the rest after a normal preheat, stop using the appliance and unplug it.

1. Preheat the raclette fully before cooking. Put the appliance on, wait until it has had time to warm through, then test with a small portion of food. If the first food cooks better than the second, the plate may simply need longer preheating.
2. Spread the food evenly. Keep slices similar in thickness and avoid piling food on one side. If the centre cooks faster than the edges, the load is too uneven.
3. Check that the plate is fitted correctly. If the removable plate is not seated properly, heat transfer can be affected. Switch off, let it cool and refit only the parts intended to be removed.
4. Try a smaller portion. If smaller batches cook evenly, the appliance is probably reacting to overload rather than failing.
5. Inspect the plate for damage or heavy residue. Burnt residue can create hot and cool spots. Clean the plate only after it has cooled fully, using the method from the manual.

Stop using the raclette immediately if any part appears warped, cracked or loose, or if the heating pattern changes abruptly during use. If the problem remains unresolved, contact the retailer or store where it was purchased.