A:Answer Foam tape is applied around the underside of the edge prior to installation, and it does indeed create a gap. It's probably meant to releave pressure variance if the countertop isn't in a perfect plane.
There are two problems, however, with this design:
(1) The gap can indeed collect food/dirt and be hard to clean. Despite what the Cafe rep says, the foam tape doesn't compress and close the gap over time.
(2) More importantly, the gap leaves the glass edge unsupported and vulnerable.
I've only had this cooktop for about 6 months, and I am VERY careful with it. I use silicone pads if I set anything on it, I use silicone protection mats on the burners (highly recommended!), I don't set used pans on it, and I clean it carefully. Nonetheless, a corner has already chipped. I have no idea when or how that happened- a little piece just came off when I was wiping it down one day. It's really disappointing because my very expensive cooktop now has this sharp little chipped corner that's very noticeable.
If I had known all this when I bought it, I would've flush-mounted it. Depending on how you go about that, you might still have a little gap that can collect crud. But at least the glass edges would be better protected.
